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The walls of our home are a welcoming refuge, ready to pamper us on every occasion. And this applies to all members of the family, including four-legged friends: if you have a cat – or are thinking of adopting one – furnishing a cat-friendly home will be of great help to its physical and mental health.
Even though cats love being independent, it is essential for their well-being that they feel safe in their own territory. This is why you need to create a welcoming environment at home: your furry friend will be able to roam from one room to another, without restrictions, and have his own spaces where he can do his thing in peace.
Arranging your home to be cat-friendly, however, does not mean giving up the comforts you need. We at Casavo – We love animals, so we've put together 10 ideas on how to make your home a paradise for your little feline pests. Find out what to do and what not to do with our guide.
What we talk about in this article:
A cat-friendly home: things to do
For a long time, it has been a real challenge: architects and creative pet owners have tried every possible way to create cat-specific furnishings that their owners would also like.
There are so many ideas that, in some cases, we find ourselves faced with true works of art, or contemporary design furniture capable of integrating perfectly with the style of the house.
But does your cat really need all this pomp? Actually, no. A few simple precautions are enough to make your home perfect for hosting a small feline and save the sofa and furniture.
1. Mandatory areas in a cat-friendly home
To feel at home, cats organize their territory into zones, marking them both by smell - through the emission of pheromones - and by sight, with scratching. And this happens both in nature and in the living space.
It is therefore important to set up areas completely dedicated to your cat within the home, which follow some precise rules. The resting area, for example, should be quiet, private, and possibly close to you; the food area should be far from the toilet (you wouldn't like eating next to the bathroom either).
Having laid these foundations, remember, however, that you'll need to be flexible: cats love to take over the entire house, and confining them to just a few corners could make them nervous.
2. The litter box: where to place it
One of the most complex issues to address is where to place the cat's litter box. The toilet area should be easily accessible to your four-legged friend but placed as close to the surface as possible. as far away as possible from the kitchen and bedroom, both for hygiene reasons and to avoid unpleasant odors during meals or sleep.
A practical and very useful solution is to purchase a closed litter box that looks like a hut, ensuring the right amount of privacy for your cat and keeping odors away from your nose.
3. The food bowl that makes the difference
Once you've solved the toilet problem, move on to food. Cats' favorite bowls are wide and have low edges (dipping their whiskers in food is something they hate!). Make sure they are made of steel or enameled ceramic: they are easy to clean, prevent limescale from depositing on the edges and do not absorb odors.
And if you are looking for a solution that is also pleasant to look at, know that you can find colored ones, personalized with designs and coats of arms or engraved: let your imagination run wild!
4. Cat-proof upholstery
The fabrics you use for curtains and home upholstery could become your cat's favorite toy, so it is important to choose them carefully.
Avoid velvet, wool, chenille and delicate fabrics like silk, which is damaged even just by looking at it. Instead, opt for antistatic materials, which do not attract hair; or leather and synthetic fibers, resistant and washable.
Looking for a sofa that will remain unharmed by your furry friend's claws? Some very well-known brands have dedicated entire collections to armchairs and sofas upholstered with stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and break-resistant fabrics. Think about it, it could be a wise choice.
5. The play area
A fundamental aspect of a pet's life is play time, even indoors.
Kittens need to chase balls, roll around, and climb. If you don't want to find your furry friend on top of one of your bookshelves, dedicate an area of the house to scratching posts, various toys, and climbing frames, where you can let him romp around as long as he wants. He'll be grateful, and so will all your furniture.
Things not to do when furnishing a cat-friendly home
Now that you know what you need to do to make your home a comfortable place for your feline, there's one thing to remember: the walls of your home hide an infinite number of things. of dangers for our little friends all purring and meowing.
Here, then, are the things to avoid or pay attention to if you live with a cat.
1. Houseplants
The houseplants are a real blessing for the human inhabitants of the house but could prove dangerous for pets.
There are, in fact, numerous green species that are toxic or poisonous for cats: the poinsettia, the Poinsettia, or the Monstera deliciosa are just a few of these. To make sure you don't own any of them, take a look at the list of plants harmful to cats.
2. Oven and stove: the number one source of danger
Does your cat like to keep you company while you cook? Never let your cat near the stove: there's a risk of burning his paws or singeing his whiskers.
Even the oven, especially if it's still hot, should always be left with the door closed: a cat seeking warmth could find it as an ideal den, even at the cost of ending up roasted.
Our advice is to furnish the kitchen in such a way as to hide the hob and appliances when not needed. And there are many creative solutions, Casavo promises.
3. Electrical outlets and wires? Hide everything
Just as you do when there are very small children in the house, even when it comes to pets, especially cats, it is a good idea to pay attention to wires and electrical outlets.
The ideal is to make them as out of reach as possible or hide them with special conduits or boxes.
4. Cat-proof lighting
It's well known: cats don't see very well from far away, especially if there's too much light. On the contrary, they move very well in the dark.
So pay attention to the lighting in your home: avoid turning it on at party and instead choose warm light lamps or floor lamps capable of creating a soft atmosphere, suitable for your feline.
As for the colors of walls and furniture, the same rule applies: the more softer ones are better.
5. Look at the world through a porthole
No matter how many soft and furry beds you buy, your cat will always love to slip into small makeshift dens.
If, when you call him, you can't find him, know that he is certainly in some closet or closet, under the bed or behind the sofa. For this reason, always make sure that there are no fragile or sharp objects within your cat's reach in these places. After all, everyone has their own habits; you just need to know how to adapt.
Now that you know the dos and don'ts for furnishing your cat-friendly home, if you haven't yet found the perfect home to accommodate the whole family, it's time to look. On the Casavo's classifieds platform, you'll find the best the real estate world has to offer: the home of your dreams—and your cat's—could be hiding right there. Happy searching!