Making Your Home Purrfect

Cats require different things to feel secure and get the mental and physical stimulation they need. Indoor cats need ways to work off their energy and get their exercise from playtime. Invest in cat trees or shelves to encourage their climbing instincts, create safe hiding spots for cap naps, and stock up on toys and scratching posts to keep your Little Buddies entertained. While there are some cats that automatically adjust to a new home as soon as they get there, most do not. The general rule when adopting any animal is the 3-3-3 Rule: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn your routine and up to 3 months to start to feel at home.

Provide plenty of vertical space.

Cats love climbing to heights — it makes them feel safe and allows them to observe their environment — so consider offering your cat a vertical space, such as a cat tree. Of course, you’ll want to create a cat-safe space, so if you allow your cat to perch on shelves or other high spaces in your home, make sure the structure is stable enough to hold your cat and not near anything that could cause them harm (such as electrical wires or other unsteady or breakable objects).

Create safe hiding places for your cat.

Your cat may want to have a place they can retreat to, especially if they feel overwhelmed or are facing a challenging situation. To help them feel safe, create hiding places in the quietest areas in your home. The hiding spot can be a tent, cubby, or even a cardboard box. Whatever you choose, just make sure they can't accidentally get stuck in it. Be aware that cats are naturally curious and may investigate the underside of recliners and sofas. For their safety, check that theses spaces are not accessible.

Play with your cat regularly.

Engagement is crucial to keeping your cat happy and healthy. Most cats love to play — with you, with another animal, with toys, or with a combination of the above. There are endless cat toys on the market, and experts recommend you actively play with your cat for at least 10-15 minutes every day.

When playing with your cat, keep the activity level high, but try not to be too aggressive. It’s important to give your cat the opportunity to catch whatever you’re playing with so they can fulfill their prey instincts - they are the hunter; the toy is their prey. Do not ever use your hand or fingers as a toy to ensure biting does not become an issue.

When you don't have time to play with them, you can provide enrichment for your cat by creating an indoor play area filled with interactive cat toys, tunnels, balls, springs and beyond.

Offer multiple food and water bowls (and litter boxes).

Especially if you live in a house with multiple cats, it’s important to have multiple food and water bowls in your home. Consider purchasing a cat watering fountain which provides moving water to encourage them to drink and keeps the water from becoming stagnant. Food and water bowls should be kept in quiet, low traffic locations not too close to their litter box so that they can enjoy a peaceful meal. Multiple litter boxes will help with accidents and reduces territorial behavior in homes with multiple cats. If you need more shopping ideas, we've even compiled a Shopping List for new pet parents!

Help Little Buddies:  When you use this link, Chewy.com will donate $15 to Little Buddies for each order from a first-time purchaser!

Keep your home clean and free of hazards.

The saying “curiosity killed the cat” didn’t come out of thin air - cats have long been known for their inquisitive habits which can get them into dangerous situations. Cover electric cords, cables, and phone chargers so your cat isn’t tempted to chew them, and make sure any plants out in the open are non-toxic to cats. Be sure to keep cupboards closed, especially any containing cleaning supplies. Cats are also very sensitive to smell, so while keeping your home clean is important, it’s best to avoid strong chemical smells (unscented cleaning solution is best). Cats love lounging in baskets of warm laundry, but they may also be drawn to the warm opening of your laundry dryer. Be sure to keep the dryer door closed when not in use and check it is empty before using the dryer. Consider furniture that could be dangerous, such as recliners, hide-a-beds or places where they could become pinched, squeezed or trapped.