Have you ever ever seen houses which are actually decked out with enjoyable modifications for his or her cats? Issues like cabinets, bridges, tunnels, poles, bowls, or catios? These are all examples of catification, a time period coined by cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. Catifying means designing dwelling areas to satisfy the pure wants and instincts of cats. Via design, you possibly can create a stimulating and enriching setting in your cat that can present them psychological, bodily, and emotional well being advantages.
Cats want vertical areas, surfaces to scratch, and hiding spots of their houses to really feel protected and content material. Offering correct shops for instinctual behaviors like scratching and climbing helps forestall harmful behaviors – like clawing at your furnishings or climbing the curtains. Providing hiding spots and comfortable nooks might help maintain cats calm, lowering anxiousness and stress in addition to undesirable behaviors like inappropriate urination.
Cats LOVE to climb they usually take pleasure in hanging out up excessive and watching their setting from above the place they’re protected and out of attain. Offering loads of vertical areas like multi-level cat bushes or cabinets provides them the chance to discover and survey their setting simply as a cat within the wild would. Take into account placing the cat tree close to a window so your cat can monitor the outside in addition to get psychological stimulation from watching any wildlife that passes by. You too can purchase window seats or beds so your cat can get actually near the motion outdoors.
Scratching is a pure habits for cats. Cats scratch to mark their territory, stretch out their our bodies, or maintain their claws good and wholesome. Some cats choose to scratch vertically whereas others would quite scratch horizontally. There are a selection of supplies out there for scratchers together with sisal, carpet, or cardboard. Supply an array of choices to your cat and see what they like. You may entice them to scratch on their scratchers by sprinkling catnip on or round them too.
Cats take pleasure in hiding out and resting in cozy spots like coated cat beds or cubbies, particularly after they’re elevated. Out of attain hiding spots can be irresistible to most cats since they provide consolation AND safety.
In an effort to keep mentally stimulated and bodily energetic, cats want loads of play and enrichment. Having enjoyable locations to discover and roam might help forestall boredom and harmful behaviors and maintain your cat energetic and engaged.
You may actually deck out your house with wall tunnels or bridges or flooring to ceiling sisal poles so your cat can run, climb, bounce, and play and actually take pleasure in being a cat. Then you possibly can play along with your cat on multi-levels. Run a wand toy across the room, giving your cat alternatives to chase and pounce on completely different surfaces and at completely different heights. Wand toys are supposed to give cats the sensation of stalking and catching prey, so actually make them work for it! Don’t neglect to reward them with a treat after a profitable hunt so that they really feel glad!
Via catification, you possibly can create an setting the place your cat can thrive bodily, mentally, and emotionally. By understanding your cat’s wants and designing your house round them, you possibly can improve your cat’s well being and happiness, giving them the very best life with you.
Love, Nala