Living In Style With Indoor Cats

Pets are wonderful companions. The loyalty and constant acceptance from our pets is priceless. Many pet owners make sacrifices so they can have their furry friends in the house. Pet hair on the floor and furniture, litter boxes, and messes in the feeding areas are just a few drawbacks of having cats in your home. Fortunately, there are some steps to living in style with indoor cats.

Create a Space for the Cat

If you have the space in your home or apartment, it's a good idea to create a space for your cat that can be considered his or hers. Place the litter box, food, water, and bed all in this space if there is room. You don't want the litter box too close to the food and water. Your friend won't enjoy this and may refuse to eat or use the litter box. You can put some toys or scratching posts in this area, as well.

Set Rules in Other Areas

Now that your cat has it's own space where it can do what it wants when it wants you'll want to set some rules for the rest of the house. This can be a long process with cats, especially if your pet has been living with you without rules for some time. The key here is consistency. If the counters, tables, or certain furniture are going to be off limits now you will need to reinforce this rule every time your friends decides to venture on to these areas. Simply placing the cat back on the floor should be enough if you are consistent. Some pet stores carry products to help in this training. Motion-activated sprays and other items are of great help while you are at work or away from home if you don't want to use an indoor cat cage.

Place Litter Box Out of Sight

This can benefit you and your cat. Cats like privacy when using their litter box. If you have company often, this will promote healthy behavior in your feline friend. Sometimes just using a litter box with a cover can improve an area. Other options include placing the box under tables, shelves, or cabinets. Table cloths or drapes can be used to help conceal the litter area. Be certain, if you move the litter box, that your indoor cat knows where it has been moved to. This will help avoid accidents during this process.