Despite years of domestication, cats continue to maintain innate instincts that they share with other wild cats, which is why many owners wonder if they really have a cat in house is good If you have ever let your feline out of the house, you will have noticed how he enjoys climbing trees or stalking small animals he finds… And that he ends up bringing as a gift!
However, all those who do not have the opportunity to let the cat out for some reason wonder if a cat is happy in a flat In this article on our site you will find the answers you are looking for, explaining what the ideal situation would be and how to make a cat happy if this option is not possible for us. Read on and find out all about indoor cats!
Are the cats happy at home?
When your cat is at home sleeping peacefully, eating or playing with you, the last thing you think about is that he may be sad or that you are not offering him everything he needs. On the one hand, it is like this, the cat's animal welfare is coveredif you give it the attention and care it needs to live with dignity
But on the other hand, stating that all cats are happy or unhappy to always stay at home is incorrect, since each cat has its own personality and specific needs. Did you know that there are 5 feline personalities? According to Lauren Finka, there are different personalities in which we could encompass the entire feline population and, for example, in the case of the cat-human, we would not observe serious problems when leaving him at home all day. Conversely, the hunter-cat might experience frustration and stress by being cooped up and not being able to develop the innate behavior it so much wants to experience.
If your cat is very active and even hyperactive, it is probably far from the typical image of a "house cat" who does nothing but sleep and enjoy a peaceful life at home. What should we do then? Should we let them out or bet on improving their quality of life?
Advantages and disadvantages of having a cat in an apartment
When adopting a cat, we must guarantee the five freedoms of animal welfare, which will ensure that their emotional state is positive. Precisely for this reason, in order to avoid any misfortune, many people decide to prevent the cat from leaving the house, even if they have a garden. Is that adequate? Let's review the pros and cons:
Do not let a cat out of the house:
- You can ensure that the cat has what it needs at all times: food, a bed, water…
- In very active cats it can generate frustration and stress not being able to go outside.
- Hours of fun, enrichment and stimulation are up to the owner.
- We can more or less realistically simulate outer space with logs or other objects.
Let a cat out of the house:
- The cat performs the physical activity he needs
- You can always experiment with the stimuli you find.
- It can develop the hunting behavior without limits, which is innate in the feline.
- It could mean an unwanted pregnancy.
- You risk getting lost, poisoned or run over.
A cat that is not happy at home or does not receive the care it needs will show it by not eating, overeating, developing obesity, urinating outside of their litter box, or displaying various behavioral problems. In the most serious cases, you should consult a veterinarian or an ethologist to find out the causes that are really causing this behavior and adopt the necessary measures.
On the contrary, if you ask yourself "How do I know if my cat is happy with me?", you should learn more about feline language and analyze some of the signs that show that a cat is happy to make sure that you are correctly meeting his needs and that the lack of access to the outside is not a problem for him.
How to make an indoor cat happy?
So, can a cat live in an apartment? Of course! But how can we prevent the suffering or stress that some domestic cats may experience? The key is environmental enrichment, which will help us provide enough physical and mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems, frustration or anxiety from appearing.
Cats are curious animals that significantly improve their quality of life and their entertainment with the most unexpected objects, such as a simple cardboard box. You want to know more? Here are some tips so you know how to make an indoor cat happy:
- Get interactive toys for the cat to enjoy in your absence, such as toys with sounds, mind games or food vending toys. There is a wide variety of toys on the market!
- Did you know that scratching and sharpening their nails is one of the favorite activities of cats? This behavior is not only used to file long nails, it is also a form of marking and communication. Get different types of scrapers so you can experiment.
- If you have space on the walls, bet on installing bridges, walkways and other structures for your cat. Felines love heights and will greatly enjoy this new personalized space.
- Have you ever tried catnip or catnip? This plant has a powerful effect on the cat, as it helps to stimulate it. You can rub his toys with it or spread it on the floor. If your cat has never experimented with catnip before, you should try it.
- At home you should spend time playing with your cat, avoiding using the same toys that you leave within his reach when he is alone. Get yourself a fishing rod and have fun while your cat chases the feathers.
- To keep your best friend showing interest in his toys, put them all in one box and rotate them so that each day he has a different one.
- How long can a cat be home alone? Although they are independent animals, remember that they need our company to be happy and receive the dose of daily socialization they deserve. Never leave a cat alone for more than 24 hours.
Now you know some tricks that can improve the feline's home and that will also help him to be mentally active and physically fitter. Do you dare to try them?
How can we ensure that a cat is happy in an apartment?
Cats are animals of habit, therefore, you can guarantee a positive emotional state even if they do not go outside if you comply with the necessary care and follow the same routines Remember that a change that seems insignificant to you can greatly destabilize him.
When you're home, make sure he feels loved and gets the attention he deserves. And while not all cats are equally affectionate, that doesn't mean they don't need you or love you. Everyone shows their affection differently, depending on different factors.
We cannot always guarantee that an indoor cat will be happy, however, we can strive to ensure the best conditions, provide the enrichment necessary and offering you, as far as possible, the experiences you want to live.
For example, you can try teaching your cat to walk on a leash and thus satisfy a part of his curiosity while ensuring his safety. Likewise, you can also allow it to have access to the balcony or terrace, previously placing a security meshthat avoids a possible fall.
