You must catify to satisfy!
Catification is the art and practice of creating an environment that satisfies the needs of both you and your cat.
Ultimate cat confidence – Cat Mojo – boils down, in part, to what they perceive to be ownership of their territory. It will give your current cat a more enriched life, help your new cat feel comfortable sooner, and even help your current cat meet any new cat you may add to your family.
We tend to avoid putting effort into giving the same feeling of ‘ownership’ to our cat family members, often because we hate the thought of what it entails – “cat stuff” – strewn about our well-thought out home. That’s where the concept of Catification comes in. [see video below]
You can give your cats the territory they need and you can have a stylish, comfortable home, too. Take a look around your home, and evaluate what spaces need to be created or improved to make a feline friendly environment. You also want to make sure the changes you’re making are catering to their deep rooted instincts, replicating areas of their life in the wild. There are many creative and inexpensive ways to catify your home keeping their basic needs in mind:
Areas to climb and jump, provide your cat with an interesting indoor environment. Cats love to play and will appreciate simple and inexpensive toys. A comfortable perch by a window can become your cat's very own entertainment and relaxation center.
Play and Hunt, Toys are very important for cats. They not only fight boredom, they also give cats a chance to express their prey-chasing drives. If you're the one moving the toy while your cat chases after it, playtime can be a bonding experience for both of you. Prey = Play!
Rest and Sleep, scratching, Rubbing, Sleeping. What do these things have in common? These are ways your cats claim territory in a positive way. Provide soft materials/beds around your home to soak up your new Cat's scent, this will help them feel confident in claiming their new territory with scent markers.
Food, Water, Litter: Your new cat will prize a clean environment and a clean body. Cats are naturally fastidious and most will instinctively use a litter box; for some, you may need to place the cat in the box and make little scratching motions with their front paws so they get the idea. Many place such a premium on cleanliness that you should clean the box daily or several times a week. Cats also value privacy, so place the litter box in a convenient but secluded spot, away from food/water. Most cats will spend hours grooming themselves, but even the most avid groomer can use a little help from time to time. Nail clipping and ear and teeth cleaning are tasks you can do to keep your cat well groomed. Even short-haired cats benefit from weekly brushing, a task that can be pleasurable for both of you.
Security, provide your cat with safety and security. Always use a cat carrier when transporting your pet. We highly suggest that even when not in use, you leave your carrier open and available in the living room, so that when you need to take your cat to the the carrier will be a source of comfort instead of stress. Protect them by making certain that all windows are securely screened, and if you have a washer, dryer and/or dishwasher that they are kept closed and are inspected before each use.
House Rules, provide your cat with some "basic training" to help them get along in your home. Although cats usually have their own ideas about how to do things, even still, most cats can be taught to obey simple rules like not scratching the couch, eating plants, or jumping up on the kitchen counter. With repeated, gentle, and consistent training, your cat will learn. Yelling at your cat never works! Instead, positively reward them and provide them with alternative choices.
Now that you've made certain all the essential provisions have been attended to, you can relax and enjoy getting to know your new pet. It may take a couple of weeks for them to adjust to life with you. But before you know it, you'll be curled up on the couch together, watching TV like old pals, and you won't remember what life was like without them.