
There are now many more cats living in America than there are dogs – about 20 million more. One of the reasons for this (apart from the fact that cats are clearly a wonderful pet) is that people are so busy working long hours or going out, that a feline friend is a perfect choice for a pet.
Cats are happy to be left alone much longer than a dog is and can take care of itself to a large degree. They are also much more suited to apartment living than dogs are. So when it comes to choosing the best cat to live in your apartment, there are some things to take into consideration.
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What Kind Of Personality Should Your Cat Have?
As you know, cats tend to have their own distinct and unique personalities. That means that while some felines love being indoors and on their own for a good few hours a day, there are others that won’t want to do anything of the sort. When it comes to choosing a cat for your apartment, you need to look at these aspects of their personality if at all possible:
- They need to be easy going and adaptable.
- They shouldn’t be too playful or they might get bored– and that can lead to a sad kitty and a scratched up apartment.
- They should ideally be quiet so as not to annoy the neighbors.
- They don’t mind being alone. This is essential if everyone in the apartment goes out to work for eight-plus hours a day.
- They aren’t very territorial. An apartment is likely smaller than a house, and that means you might all be living in the same space. A territorial cat is going to hate that and could show their displeasure by misbehaving.
What Is Your Lifestyle Like?
Now you know what kind of personality your apartment-dwelling cat ought to have, you’ll need to look at your own personality and lifestyle to determine whether a cat is something you and your apartment really needs.
One thing to think about is whether you like to entertain a lot. If you do and there is a constant stream of people coming in and out of your home, that could cause problems; your cat may not like all the noise and commotion for one thing, and with the door opening a lot, they could easily run outside and get lost. Take into account what you do and how you do it before setting your heart on a cat for your apartment.
The Best Apartment Cats Breeds For You
There are some breeds that are a particularly good choice when it comes to finding the right cat for your apartment life. Of course, as mentioned above, their individual personalities will need to come into play, but this list of best apartment cats breeds should give you a good place to start in your search:
Domestic Shorthair
The domestic shorthair cat breed is a fabulous all-around kind of cat and it adapts brilliantly to indoor cat life in an apartment. This breed is friendly, so it is a lovely cat to have around a family or when friends come to visit.
It’s also quiet, a positive when it comes to having a cat in an apartment. And of course, if you’re looking for a lap cat, the domestic shorthair truly does love a bit of attention.
Persian
Persians are also known for being particularly easy going, making them totally adaptable to life inside an apartment. Laidback and placid, they won’t mind if people come and go throughout the day as long as they have their pick of where they want to sleep.
One thing to note, however, is that the Persian cat is not the best breed to pick if you’re away a lot as they love human interaction. They also need to be groomed daily.
Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is affectionate and friendly, but they also thrive on their own independence, making them well-suited for life in an apartment when their owners have to be out of the home every day for work or business.
They can look after themselves quite happily and can be extremely loyal pets once they get to know you. It’s that getting to know you stage that could be tricky, though; they are shy creatures, so if you have a lot of house guests your Russian Blue may not enjoy it.
Javanese
Oh what a lovely little cat the Javanese breed is. The Javanese cat breed are quite happy to be left on their own during the day as long as you show them plenty of affection when you are around – they adore one-on-one games and cuddles with their owners. If you’re a first-time cat owner or you’re retired and not very active, the Javanese is one of the best breeds you can choose.
Ragdoll
Ragdolls are known for being extremely gentle and laidback and they won’t bat an eye if you bring friends back to the apartment for dinner or drinks.
The Ragdoll cat is, in fact, best suited for staying indoors, and they really don’t need a lot of maintenance. After the domestic shorthair, the Ragdoll cat might be your best apartment-dwelling cat choice.
Where Else?
When you’re looking for a feline friend for your apartment and if you’re not set on a specific breed, don’t forget to check out your local animal shelter. There are lots of happy, easy going cats that are waiting to be adopted there and you could find your ideal pet.
The best thing about adopting a cat from a shelter (apart from the generally nice, warm feeling you’ll get from doing it) is that you will be able to find out all about its personality and habits before you take it home.
That means you won’t have the trouble and disappointment of picking out a cute cat only to discover that they dislike apartment living, or need more attention than you can give them.
Speak to the staff at the animal shelter and read up on the cats’ notes before making a decision. You might even think about adopting two cats when you’re there, especially if they are already living together (or lived together in the past).
Having two cats can help them to settle in more easily and they can provide company and entertainment for one another during the day. On top of that, you’ll get double the love when you come home to your apartment!
What Should You Consider Before Bringing Your Cat Home?
You’ve found a gorgeous cat for your apartment. What next? Well, before you bring him or her back to their new home, you’ll need to have some equipment, cat toys, and general cat stuff ready for them. Things they can call their own. This is important when it comes to settling them in. Here are some suggestions:
Go Pet Club Cat Tree
A cat tree for your pet to play in is a great idea. It will keep them occupied and it will allow them to have somewhere to hide if and when they need to, which is really important if you have more than one cat.
The Go Pet Club Cat Tree is a tall tree which allows the cat more climbing room without taking up too much space in your apartment. It’s easy to put together and sturdy too – it should last for a long time.
Hollypet Self-Warming Tubular Cat Cave
Although you may harbor dreams of your cat jumping onto your bed each night and snuggling with you, that might not happen. It depends on the cat, it depends on you, and it’s much better to give your pet their own space.
That way, if you do want their company you can have it, otherwise, they can get cozy in their lovely bed such as the Hollypet Self-Warming Tubular Cat Cave.
The fact that this bed is made in a tubular shape is great because it allows your cat to feel safe and secure. This will certainly help them settle in and settle down.
Cat Hair Remover Glove
Your cat is going to shed. Possibly a lot, possibly a little – it will depend to some extent on the breed and the time of year. If your cat has a skin condition that can make a difference too. The point is, you’re going to need to groom them from time to time (and every day in special cases such as the Persian cat and other long-haired cats) and to do that you need the right kind of equipment.
Since some cats aren’t too fond of being brushed, the best option can be the Cat Hair Remover Glove. Wear this glove to stroke your cat and the excess hair will be removed without any effort on either side’s part. You cat will get a fantastic pampering session, you’ll get to spend time with them, and the fur situation will be addressed too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, cats can get cozy even in the smallest of apartments. Make sure it has things to climb on and spots to favor throughout your apartment and your cat will be as happy as ever.
That really depends. If your cat is isolated inside a hot apartment it can become dangerous for your cat. Cats rely on panting to cool themselves and when the temperature is hot, panting is less effective leaving your cat without options for cooling herself down.
Absolutely, it’s perfectly reasonable to have at least two cats even in a small apartment so they can keep each other company when you’re gone. If you are living with your partner you can even have more cats if you have the time to take care of them.
Yes, even though cats need a little more than that, they are highly adaptable and they’ll get used to living in a single room.
Not ideally. Having to share a litter box can be stressful for some cats. If you are living with multiple cats in your apartment, we suggest you take it up a notch and get them a separate cat litter box and even one litter box for their ultimate privacy.
Conclusion
Having a cat in an apartment can definitely be done, with both the owner and pet totally happy with the situation. The important thing to remember is to choose a cat that has the right personality and temperament for apartment living. If you do that, you should be able to enjoy a long and happy apartment life together.