Environment

Make sure your cat has a suitable place to live 

Facts 

• A cat must be able to avoid things that scare him/her. If unable to hide, your cat may suffer.
   
• A cat needs regular easy access to an appropriate place to go to the toilet.
   
• Living in a cold or wet place, without shelter, can cause a cat to suffer and become ill.
   
• Cats are active animals. They need the opportunity to run, jump and climb and often feel safest when high up. 
   
• Cats are territorial animals and become very attached to places. They are naturally frightened of unfamiliar places and smells; they prefer to stay in their familiar home.
   
• Cats are intelligent. If a cat is bored, and doesn’t have enough to do, he/she may suffer. 
   
  
   
• Cats are inquisitive. If there are hazards within their environment they may easily injure themselves.

Things you should do

• Provide your cat with a comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean and quiet place where he/she can rest undisturbed.
  
  
   
• Give your cat regular access to a suitable place where he/she can go to the toilet, outside or in a litter tray, which is separate to where he/she eats and sleeps.
   
• Make sure your cat has constant access to safe hiding places where he/she can escape if feeling afraid.
   
• If more than one cat shares a living space, provide sufficient extra resources (e.g. toys, beds and hiding places) and give them enough space that they can get away from one another if they choose.
   
• If your cat doesn't go outside, make sure he/she has plenty of activities he/she can do and enough space to exercise, climb and play indoors. Read more about keeping cats indoors.
   
• Make sure your cat can reach a safe high place where he/she can climb and rest, e.g. shelves, cupboard top.
   
• Ensure the size and temperature of any place you leave your cat (including your vehicle) is appropriate.
   
• If you have to take your cat to a new place, use a secure cat carrier and introduce your cat to it gradually. Putting familiar smelling items in the carrier and the new environment can help your cat feel at ease.
   
• If you are going away, try to find someone to care for your cat and meet all his/her
   
  welfare needs within his/her familiar home, or if boarding your cat, try to ease the move by taking familiar items along too, e.g. your cat’s bed and toys.
   
• If you move house, your cat may try to get back to his/her previous home; keep your cat indoors for at least one to two weeks after you move, and make sure that he/she seems settled before letting him/her outside.
   
• Make sure that where your cat lives is safe, secure and free from hazards.