Bringing Your Feline Friends to Your Apartment
There has been a surge of pet adoptions since the pandemic hit last year. People who were stuck at home decided that a new fur baby would be the perfect companion to shelter in place and ride out the pandemic. Cats are great pets, and most cats are ideally suited for apartment living. They can adapt to the smaller environment of an apartment and most breeds are perfectly content to live indoors all the time.
Some traits to look for when choosing a cat include:
- Content to be left along for long periods of time
- Easy-going
- Not overly territorial
- Quiet
- Sociable
- Can entertain itself
If you are adopting a cat, there might not be a great selection of purebreds. It is more important to look for personality traits and you should spend some time with the cats you are interested in. Most animal shelters have socialization areas where cats and prospective owners can meet and check each other out.
Domestic shorthair. This is the most common breed of cat and they are solid color, striped (tabby) or have a mottled coat (tortie). Some of these cats also have medium or long hair. They have a friendly disposition and many like to cuddle.
Maine coon. These are large cats (up to 20 lbs.) that have long, thick, extravagant coats. They are known for their gentle and docile behavior. The only downside is to expect to spend a lot of time vacuuming cat hair off the floors and furniture when these cats shed.
Persian. Like Maine coons, Persians have long luxurious hair, and a characteristic “smushed up” face. Persians are very laid back, calm and low energy, but you have to be dedicated to frequent grooming and cleaning up cat hair.
Siamese. Siamese cats are known for their piercing blue eyes. They have a short-haired coat and distinctive markings on their ears, tails and paws. Siamese cats tend to be very loyal to one special family member. The only drawback is that these cats are very vocal and their meows are loud.
Apartment living with a cat
There are pros and cons to having a cat. For example, dogs need to be walked several times a day. You don’t have to walk your cat, although some cats like to wear a leash and harness and go for walks outside. On the downside, with a cat comes a litterbox. Fortunately, the quality of cat litter keeps improving, so you can choose a brand that doesn’t stir up a lot of dust and has enhanced odor absorbing additives. You can also buy covered litterboxes or self-cleaning models. Remember to keep your cat’s litterbox in a quiet private place where they can do their business undisturbed.
Cats also like to claw on the furniture, carpet and any other surface they can use to sharpen their claws. There are several ways to curtail that behavior and one is to buy your cat a scratching pad that they can claw away at. You can also use special double-sided sticky tape to put on your furniture to discourage clawing. The tape is transparent so it isn’t too visible. You should also get in the habit of trimming your cat’s claws at least once a month. Get them used to it gradually. Ask your vet tech to show you how to do it safely at home with special trimmers specially designed for cats. If your cat won’t go for that, you can always take them to a groomer for a claw trim, which is inexpensive.
Also provide your cat with some toys so you can interact with them or they can entertain themselves during the day. Cats also love windows, so if you apartment has wide windowsills, your cat will happily spend their time sunning and watching birds, squirrels and other wildlife.
Lastly, consider the age of the cat. Kittens are adorable, but very energetic and destructive. They require a lot of time and attention. You might consider an older cat that is more sedate and better behaved.
No matter what type of cat you adopt, you will find the purr-fect companion to keep you company and show you unconditional love. Many shelters have adoption specials during the holidays, so it would be a great time to look for your new best friend.
Vision Communities is Pet Friendly
At Vision Communities, we are committed to creating the best apartment communities for you, your family and your pets. We feature multiple, pet-friendly apartment layouts, in desirable communities such as Clintonville, Westerville, and downtown Columbus. For more information about our communities, contact our team to get started.