I was at an event recently, and was engaged in a conversation with a gentleman about his cat. H was quite frustrated that his cat ALWAYS wanted to be sitting on the table, and on the half wall between his living room and his kitchen. After a bit of digging, in the form of exploratory questions, I was able to deduce that the cat is quite the tree dweller, meaning he prefers higher spaces to caves or open spaces (We call them cave dwellers and beach dwellers). I asked him if he would be willing to create some appropriate higher space in his house. He asked me for suggestions, and thus started a conversation about Catification.
Catification is the art of making changes and adjustments to your home that meet the needs of both you and your cat (aesthetically and spatially). ... Your cat's instincts propel them to jump, perch, climb, play, sleep, eat, hunt, and claim their own territory. -Jackson Galaxy
Basic: Look around your house. Are the following checked off?
• Food, Water, Litter: Make sure there are enough of all of these for your cat, or cats.
• Places they can climb and perch: map out a kitty super highway that gets your cat off the floor and takes them all around the room without them having to touch the floor. They should be able to claim this space as their own. Be as creative as you want. You can rearrange your furniture or add some new pieces like wine boxes, shelves or that old trunk hanging out in the basement!
• Areas to climb and jump: Cats LOVE racing up things, so if you'd rather them not use the furniture, give them places to do so. There are many options for cat trees and lounges, or you could make your own using wood planks, scrap wood or arranging large branches. A wooden ladder or a set of varying stools from the local second hand store could also be an option!
• Things to play and hunt: An owner should dedicate some time to play with their cats every day, using toys that mimic air and ground prey. Remote interactive toys can be helpful if the cat is alone for long periods of time in a
day.
• Rest and Sleep: Cat beds are cool and all, but your cat might be sending you some signals that they'd like a different option. WHY IS THE CAT ALWAYS IN THE LAUNDRY BASKET?! Cuz it's comfy, silly! Grab a basket and put a PurrPad, some towels or other clothes and soft things that simulate what's found in your laundry
basket and create a basket for your cat.
• Does your cat LOVE Costco days, cuz that's when the cardboard boxes come home? Take some of those boxes, add some kitty herbs, place a small cushion inside of it, and place it somewhere in the house!
The Art of CATification: How to please your cat!
Nicole Niska,
Owner, Paws the Cat Cafe
Diploma in Feline Behaviour and Psychology