More and more we’re seeing cats being kept as inside pets only, and there is good reason for this. The great outdoors, even in your neighborhood, are full of dangers for our domestic felines. Dogs, coyotes, other wildlife, cars, cruel humans, infectious diseases, and even other cats are all reasons to keep your kitty confined in the safety of your home. With that said, being inside the house all the time without any feline-specific entertainment might get a little boring. Cats are used to climbing trees, hiding in bushes, and more. How can we offer them more room to roam? Find out below!
#1 – Add a Bedskirt
This might sound funny, but chances are your cat can fit under your bed and even enjoys napping there. Cats love hiding, even when nothing overtly scary is going on, and covering the bottom of your bed with a bedskirt can offer the much-needed security of a hiding spot. You might be surprised how often your cat is under the bed if it feels safe and cozy enough, so if you’re lacking a bedskirt, you might want to give it a try.
Image source: Kent Wang
#2 – Wall Shelves
Wall shelves and cat trees are the modern cat climbers, and owners love them. The cats do too, because they certainly use them all the time. These are plain shelves that attach to the wall and offer your cat a bed higher up, as if they were in an actual tree. You can grow catnip on them, put up a comfy pillow, or leave them completely bare. They can go in any and every room and are a nice way to offer your cat more space without taking up much of your own.
#3 – Cat Climbers
The classic carpet cat climbers, or cat trees, shouldn’t be forgotten. Although many people don’t like to see cat trees all over their homes, they do provide a great way for your cat to stay entertained. Cat climbers can be used for basic exercise, play, hiding, napping and even scratching – all things that are necessary for cats to live a happy, healthy life.
Image source: P. Livia | CatsOnDeck
#4 – Outdoor Cat Runs
Outdoor cat runs are the best way to allow your cat to get some time under the sun. Just like a dog kennel, these runs are designed for felines and are completely enclosed, ensuring they are able to spend time exploring the outdoors without the risk of getting lost, injured or worse. Although cats should never be left out there unsupervised, you can definitely allow your cat to spend as much time as they like outside. It might sound silly, but the cats seem to love them and they are a great way to give a lot of extra space without taking up a single square inch inside your home.