Do cats really need toys?<\/p>\n
Yes \u2014 and many of them. Cats can easily become restless and start clawing anything they can get their paws on. Here\u2019s how to keep them entertained and keep their feline instincts in check.<\/p>\n
Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental<\/h2>\n
But before we optimize your apartment for your cat\u2019s best life, you should make sure that your apartment allows cats to begin with. Because of the potential damage cats can cause \u2014 between claws, teeth, fur, and \u201cfluids\u201d \u2014 many property managers would prefer you keep your kitties elsewhere. If you\u2019re in the middle of your lease, there\u2019s not much you can do, and we don\u2019t recommend trying to hide any roommate, no matter how small.<\/p>\n
If a feline is in your future, there are many ways to go about finding a cat-friendly apartment. On Rentable, you can add your cat filter alongside your other hopes and dreams (in-unit laundry or balcony, perhaps), and find dozens of places that fit the bill.<\/p>\n
Or, you can head to our pet-friendly apartments<\/a> page, which has resources \u2014 like an adorable pet resume \u2014 to get you started.<\/p>\n Most cat breeds would be a fine fit for apartment life, but a few stand out as exceptionally good options due to low activity levels and hesitance to use claws.<\/p>\n A bored cat is a dangerous cat \u2014 scratched furniture and door frames, messes outside of the litterbox, and so on. But all of that can be kept at bay by providing your cat with ample stimulation and cat accessories.<\/p>\n You and your cat can be happy in any apartment if you put in the time and effort to keep your pet engaged and exercised.<\/p>\nChoosing an Apartment Cat<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Keeping](\"https:\/\/blog-assets.rentable.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/24115410\/playing-cat_crop.jpg\")
<\/p>\nKeeping Your Cat Happy in a Small Space<\/h2>\n
\n
\nHave you struggled to get your cat down from the top of the refrigerator? There\u2019s a reason she\u2019s gargoyling up there. Cats instinctively seek out tall locations where they can feel secure and in charge of their domains while keeping an eye out for potential attacks. Cat trees<\/a> or a series of securely installed wall shelves can do the trick.<\/li>\n
\nIncessant scratching isn\u2019t destructive behavior \u2014\u00a0in fact, it\u2019s necessary to scrape off the outer layer of their claws and helps them to mark their territory and stretch. Discourage scratching in unwelcome spots by spraying citrus cents or wrapping in sticky tape, and encourage them to use scratching posts by spraying on a bit of liquid curiosity: cat nip.<\/li>\n
\nEven the laziest cats like to bat things around from time to time, so make sure you set aside time to actively engage with your cat for play and affection. Also set up toys that encourage them to play even when you aren\u2019t involved, such as an interactive laser toy<\/a>, a securely hung string or feather bundle, or a high-tech hide-and-seek toy<\/a>.<\/li>\n
\nSuction-cup cat baskets can give your pet the vantage point they love while gazing out the window<\/a>. Place a bird feeder nearby, and they\u2019re guaranteed constant entertainment.<\/li>\n
\nFor your own sanity as well as your cat\u2019s safety, keep your most prized plants in unreachable locations and\/or line the pots with sticky tape to discourage cats from tampering. Lilies, tulips, Spanish thyme, oleander, English ivy, azaleas and other plants can be toxic to cats<\/a> and shouldn\u2019t be kept anywhere near them.<\/li>\n
\nHousecats, believe it or not, can get very stressed out and unhappy, which can lead to terror for your apartment and belongings. Lavender and chamomile diffusers can help keep kitty calm and relaxed, as can certain pheromones. If you\u2019re having problems with cats fighting, scratching, or urine marking, consider getting a spray, collar, or diffuser with calming cat pheromones.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n