Your kitty doesn't have to be outdoors to be happy. One of the most important aspects of keeping a domestic cat very happy and satisfied is to keep it entertained and stimulated continuously. In addition to exercise and mental stimulation, cats that stay indoors need a safe environment, food and water, as well as regular grooming and veterinary care. If you can get all of these things for your feline friend, chances are he can lead a healthy and happy existence while living indoors.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Keeping the Cat Safe
Step 1. Create a safe environment for your cat
A house cat finds a way to have fun on its own, which often involves exploring the environment and playing with whatever catches their attention. It is therefore important to look around trying to observe the house from the point of view of the feline, understand if there may be any dangerous objects that could injure him and make sure to put them away to make the environment safe.
- Keep in mind that cats can jump on all kinds of surfaces. Just because a shelf is at the height of your waist, or even above your head, doesn't mean the cat won't be able to reach and explore it.
- Keep anything that might be interesting out of her reach. For example, decorations, shoelaces, wool, ropes, sewing tools are all elements that intrigue him. The cat loves to play with long, thin and sinuous objects such as snakes. So make sure they are safely stored, because if the cat is intrigued, he could ingest for example a piece of wool and suffer from an intestinal blockage, which requires surgery.
- Cats and candles don't get along. These animals love to jump, so even if you put a candle on a high shelf, it doesn't mean it's safe. In the worst case, the cat, not knowing that the candle is there, could knock it over and set the house on fire.
Step 2. Keep chemicals out of reach of the cat
You must always make sure that cleaners and other chemicals are closed in a safe place. Many chemicals are used in the home which can be highly toxic to cats.
For example, common floor cleaning products contain benzalkonium chloride, a chemical that can burn delicate tissues, such as a cat's tongue or mucous membranes. If a cat walks on a floor that has just been washed with this product and then licks their paws to clean them, they could develop nasty ulcers on their tongue, which would prevent them from eating
Step 3. Check if the plants in the house are toxic to your feline friend
There are many; lilies should definitely not be kept in a house where a cat lives, as pollen is extremely toxic and can cause severe kidney failure. Other plants you need to avoid are azaleas, hydrangeas, poinsettias, daffodils, and mistletoe. This is not a complete list, so always check if the plants you want to buy are pet friendly before taking them home.
Part 2 of 4: Meeting the Basic Needs of the Cat
Step 1. Get him a litter box, which you should clean every day
Kittens love privacy when it comes to getting their own needs done. Place the litter box in a quiet area where the cat is not disturbed or frightened by sudden noises (such as the washing machine in the laundry room). If you have multiple cats, keep in mind that you will need to keep a litter box for each cat. It's a good idea to have a spare as well, so if you have five cats, you should buy six.
Keep the litter box clean so that it is a pleasant place for the cat. this means collecting the feces every day and eliminating stains, as well as ensuring the complete cleaning of the container once a week
Step 2. Provide him with food and water
Be aware that house cats tend to put on weight; To avoid this, you need to measure the portions and offer the cat only the quantity indicated on the package. If the animal is gaining weight (it is harder to feel the ribs to the touch), you need to reduce the daily amount of food.
- Make sure it has always fresh water available; this is a very important aspect.
- Consider giving your cat specific "home" or "neutered" cat food, as these are slightly low-calorie foods that take into account the cat's lifestyle.
- It is a good idea to stimulate its hunting instinct by using food puzzles, so the animal has to work hard to conquer its food. They are accessories available online and in major pet stores.
Step 3. Give him a personal space where he can spend some moments alone
It is important that he has his own corner, even if he may sleep with you at night. This small space can be his kennel or the scratching post under which he can curl up.
Step 4. Get him a scratching post
Scratching is a completely normal behavior for these felines, as it allows them to spread a thin layer of their scent, thus claiming territory against other specimens. If you don't provide a scratching post, your cat will find one on its own, which may be your best sofa.
- Check the cat if it scratches horizontally (parallel to the floor) or vertically (on the walls of the sofa); Get him the appropriate scratching post, whether it is flat (horizontal) or vertical, to best suit his preferences.
- Make sure that the tool is taller than the cat and firmly fixed to the base, to prevent it from moving when the cat uses it. Place it near the entrance of the house, so that the cat can leave its scent there.
- Place one near his bed as well, as these animals love to sharpen their claws when they wake up.
Part 3 of 4: Providing the Cat with Mental Stimuli and Physical Activity
Step 1. Make sure your cat is doing adequate physical activity
Play with him regularly, several times a day. These felines are more sprinters than "cross-country skiers", so you should engage them 3-4 times a day in 5-10 minute play sessions, rather than a single 20 minute occasion.
Grab a small wand with a feather, some mouse-shaped toys, or even a simple piece of string (cats never get tired of chasing a string). Wave your wand a little in the air at its height, not yours; throw him a rubber mouse and see how he fights against him; grab the end of a rope and move it around the house or just shake it a bit
Step 2. Don't think that the cat doesn't like to play just because it loves to take a lot of naps
These felines are hunters, which means that they have periods of inactivity interspersed with moments of hunting. Just because they love to sleep doesn't mean they don't need the mental stimulation provided by sniffing the presence of mice, chasing them, and chasing them.
Many behavioral problems, such as littering, scratching or attacking other pets, are often caused by boredom or frustration; So make sure to get him lots of interesting and challenging items for him to play with
Step 3. Give him a view of the outside world
Get him a perch that he can climb to look out the window. This allows him to distract himself and at the same time satisfy the feline instinct to climb high, as cats naturally tend to climb trees.
- If you live in an apartment building, make sure that the terrace is safe and that the cat cannot fall by jumping off the railing. You can consider fencing off an area of the balcony so your cat can look around without running the risk of getting hurt.
- Likewise, make sure any windows you can open are escape-proof. Check the mosquito nets to make sure they are not damaged and that the cat cannot slip outside when you are not looking at them.
Step 4. Bond with your cat through training
It's not just dogs that benefit from obedience training. Try using the clicker, which gives your cat a lively mental stimulus and helps them bond with you. The procedure is similar to what is respected with dogs, but you have to be patient with your cat and know that you will need to find a reward that really motivates him to follow the commands.
Step 5. Find items that keep the cat's mind busy when you are out and about
Leave him some games that he can entertain himself with when you can't play with him. You can provide him with some rubber mice or catnip, but you can also leave him some less common items, as long as they are safe for your feline friend. Try putting in a few paper bags or cardboard boxes that she can explore and play with.
Step 6. Have fun with her
Give him a lot of love and attention, if the cat wishes. You will have around 20 years to share with your furry friend, so you need to do your best to create a strong bond of mutual love.
Part 4 of 4: Taking Care of Your Cat's Health
Step 1. Occasionally, take him to the groomer and take care of his coat
House cats need more frequent nail trimming, as they have no way of filing them like outdoor cats. You can go to the veterinary center or a groomer for this procedure or ask them to show you how to do it; nails should be trimmed once a month.
- Also, brush his fur if he lets you. He may also roll on the ground and have his hair brushed on his abdomen if he is feeling particularly affectionate. Generally, it is not necessary to brush it to keep its coat in good condition (since cats take care of their own fur), but it can be a great way to establish a bond with the animal; it is also a good opportunity to check his coat and body for possible diseases or health problems.
- Look for black spots or moving elements on his fur. Separate the various clumps and check the exposed skin. If you notice something moving or several small black dots (flea feces), have your cat wear a collar, use flea and tick spray, or take your cat to the vet for advice on the correct treatment.
- Sometimes, as cats get older they are no longer able to clean their fur completely, they lose flexibility and it becomes impossible for them to reach certain parts of the body. If this is also the case with your feline friend, you need to brush their fur more frequently to keep them healthy.
Step 2. Sterilize the house cat
When not neutered, animals are much more territorial and want to mark their space (which in this case is your home!) With urine or feces. In addition, they are more likely to attract stray cats, which with their presence in the garden can make your pet uncomfortable or feel threatened.
Step 3. Get him vaccinated
Even if he doesn't go outside, he should still be vaccinated. Some viral infections, such as feline distemper, are caused by very aggressive viruses that you can bring into the house through shoes. Furthermore, if the cat were to sneak out one night, there is a greater chance that he could get sick, as his immune system has never been exposed to external microorganisms.
Cats that do not hunt or go outdoors still need to be dewormed twice a year. This is because they are infested from birth with mother-borne worms and dormant eggs in body tissues hatch during the cat's life. Ask your vet for more information
Step 4. Don't forget to get him checked for fleas
Although the risk of flea infestations is quite rare in indoor cats, if your pet still comes into contact with even one insect, it could trigger an unmanageable infestation. Take your cat to the vet to find the best product that meets your needs and those of the pet.
Step 5. Put a microchip on him
It is a small electronic circuit that is inserted under the skin in the nape area. When the microchip is scanned, it provides the identification number that is registered in the feline registry with your personal data. If the cat escapes, the microchip becomes a foolproof way to track down the owner and thus allow the animal to be recovered.
