Originally published July 21, 2021 by Ryan Castillo from REDFIN/BLOG.com
Bringing home a kitty can bring both excitement and new beginnings. From purchasing the right cat furniture to learning how to let your cat bond with spaces in your home, there are a lot of things you may not think of when preparing your home. However, being prepared can put you on track to creating a happy and healthy home for your new furry friend for years to come.
If you don’t know where to start, we’re here to help. We reached out to 14 cat experts across North America, from Austin, TX to Toronto, ON, to give their best advice on how you can prepare your home when bringing a kitty home. Keep reading to see what they have to say.
1.Have multiple scratchers ready for your kitty
Cats need to fulfill their natural instinct to scratch, so be sure to have multiple scratchers ready in your home for your new kitty cat. Studies show that cats usually prefer vertical scratchers, but having a variety of horizontal scratchers is a good idea too. A vertical scratcher should be at least 32″ tall, so your new feline can stretch while clawing appropriately. – Lisa Illman, Founder of Kritter Kommunity
2. Find creative ways to hide a litter box
The litter box can be hidden within a bookcase, inside of a coffee table, or it may look like a plant. It will be much easier to train your cat to use it in childhood instead of finding a new place for it later. – CatPet.Club
3. Make sure you have an extra litter box per cat
Place several large, open-top litter boxes (one per cat, plus one extra) throughout your home in the areas your cat likes to hang out in, like the living room and bedroom. The litter box is a very significant source of scent and helps cats feel that their territory is well marked and secure. – I’m Feline Fab
4. Use natural cat litter
Depending on your cat, trying to make a change in litter can be anywhere from a slight adjustment to an impossible feat. When setting up a litter box in your home, use cat litter made from all-natural materials like wood and green tea. Most cats will like this because it reminds them of being outside in a forest where they can go anywhere their heart desires. – Next Gen Pet
5. Make use of wall space
Cat wall furniture will save valuable floor space, and your cat will love to be high up off the ground. Try combining cat shelves, bridges, tunnels, and more to create a fun catwalk along your wall. – The Refined Feline
6. Tie up and secure all cords from TVs and home office equipment
With many of us working from home, cords can be dangerous to cats as they love to play and can easily get their paw stuck in them. We never want our cats to have this type of duress so be sure to keep all cords in your home out of their reach. – Cat Buddy
7. Don’t let your cat develop bad habits
A scratcher may not look essential at first, but scratching is unavoidable, so it’s best to get one for your home as soon as you bring your kitty home. This way, your kitten gets attached to it and knows it belongs to her. A scratcher will also prevent unwanted cat behavior from developing as they grow older and will ultimately save your furniture. – 7 Ruby Road
8. Create a Cat TV
Even indoor cats love to look outside of the window to peek at birds and nature. To create a Cat TV in your home, leave a space on the windowsill, install a window perch, or place a climber by the window. You can also build a window box so your cat can spend some time outside while still being safe inside. – Apollo Fluffy Cat
9. Go with custom furniture designed for your kitty
Happy cats are well-behaved cats, so make sure to keep your cats engaged and entertained with cat furniture designed specially for them. Having their own furniture provides them with an adequate space within your home to lounge, scratch, climb and enjoy. – On2Pets
10. Consider multi-functional shelves or bookcases when bringing a kitty home
Being able to get up off the ground is very important to cats and can help prevent or resolve a variety of behavior issues, such as conflicts between pets, fear, and boredom-related behaviors. If you’re redecorating, go beyond a cat tree and consider decorative shelves or bookcases that can do double duty, with some space for your things and some for your cat. If you’re renovating, consider architectural details that add both visual interest and raised perches, such as wide window sills, fireplace mantels, pass-throughs, and ledges. – Jessica Char, Feline Engineering
11. Create a catio for your kitty
Experts agree that one of the best ways to provide your cat with entertainment is to provide them safe access to the outdoors. If you have a house with a yard, consider building a secure catio with perches and hiding places for your kitty. You can even add comfy outdoor furniture so you can both enjoy watching the birds and listening to the sounds of nature together. – High Five Animal Training
12. Provide your kitty some privacy
When you bring your furry friend home, the first thing they will do is explore, discover new hunting grounds and find safe spaces to hide and relax. They will find every nook and cat-sized cranny available, so take time to outfit your home with furniture that provides both a view and some privacy. – Cat Matter
13. Provide vertical spaces
When bringing a new kitten home to a busy household, prepare the house by creating plenty of vertical space. Use cat shelving and window perches to connect a pathway around your most used rooms in the house to provide your cat a safe opportunity to be a part of the action both inside and outside the house. It won’t be long before your cat joins more of the family action, knowing it can always retreat to the sanctity of the high spaces. – Robyn Paterson, Quality Bengal Kittens
14. Store your food in a food-safe bin
With natural pet food, it’s best not to store your food in a plastic bin. Natural pet food only has natural preservatives, so the bin will begin to absorb some of the oils. For example, if you have ever put tomato in a plastic container and can never get the stain out, that’s what happens to the oils. So, be sure to store food in a food-safe bin when bringing a kitty home to prevent the oils in the plastic from seeping out and making the new food rancid. This is also exacerbated by heat and humid weather so store your kitty’s food in a cool and dry area in your home . – Pet Supplies ‘N’ More