And the house is intact, and the cat is happy. How to make your home comfortable and safe for your pet

Every cat has a different personality, so what works for one cat may not work for another. To understand how best to "tame" your cat, you can only by trial and error. If you want your home to be safe and comfortable for your pet, and your belongings and furniture to be intact, try these tips.

1. Put special screens on the windows

Cats have a strong hunting instinct. Seeing a bird or butterfly flying past, the animal may jump for prey. Besides, pets sometimes they lose their balance and slide off the windowsill into the open window. Consequences are serious - from lung injuries and bone fractures to death. An ordinary mosquito net will not prevent a jump - it is easy to break it with claws or push it through. Install a special anti-cat screen on the window. It is strong enough to withstand attempts to tear it.

A half-open window - especially vertically - is also unsafe. A curious pet can get stuck between the frame and the sash. Unfortunately, sometimes such situations

lead to death: trying to free himself, the cat slips deeper into the depths, the internal organs are squeezed, and blood circulation is disturbed. Therefore, do not leave your pet unattended when you ventilate the room.

What to buy

• Gray anti-cat net from KOMFORT, 826 rubles →
• White anti-cat net from ALMED, 2,610 rubles →
• Anti-cat reflective mesh from KOMFORT, 910 rubles →

2. Stock up on scratching posts

"Manicure" for a cat natural process. So in the wild animals shorten claws and mark the territory. But when there are no trees nearby that can be scratched heartily, cats turn their attention to furniture, curtains and wallpaper. Scratching posts will help save the interior - buy a few and put them in those places in which the pet shows the greatest interest. The armrests of a sofa or chair should be protected with special covers made of sisal or jute.

In the future, the habits of a beloved pet can be taken into account when organizing space. For example, it makes sense to eventually remove the wallpaper and paint the walls, or replace the computer chair with an acrylic mesh model.

What to buy

• Scratching post on the floor from "Claws", 221 rubles →
• Scratching post-column with a hanging toy from "CAT-E", 635 rubles →
• Scratching board on the armrest or corner of the wall from Lilli Pet, 527 rubles →

3. Choose the right tray

Cats are picky about litter boxes. If they don't like the size or cleanliness of the toilet, they may pee on the floor or furniture. To avoid trouble, choose a litter box that fits your pet freely and change the litter regularly. Experiment with positioning - cats prefer quiet location with good visibility. Ideally, each pet should have one tray plus an additional one. That is, if you have two cats, toilets need three.

It also happens that a pet ignores the tray for no apparent reason. Talk with veterinarian: this behavior can be sign inflammation of the urinary tract, diseases of the kidneys and thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus. A healthy cat sometimes has problems arise due to stress - moving, the appearance of new animals or family members. Try to minimize the causes that may worry the pet. For example, don't let your dog or small children pester your cat.

Sometimes an animal intentionally marks its territory. More often this behavior meets in males. So they let the females know that they are ready to mate. If you suspect that this is the reason for the rejection of the tray, castrate the animal. By the way, females are better too sterilize. The procedure has other advantages, for example, serves cancer prevention.

What to buy

• Tray-house with a door and a scoop from Pettails, 1,390 rubles →
• Tray with sides and removable mesh from Pettails, 419 rubles →
• Tray with high sides and scoop, 657 rubles →

4. Create space for play

Cats jump on closets, tear curtains and try to destroy your property in other ways, not because they like to mischief. Active games help they won't lose their predatory instincts and fitness, which is important for weight control.

Offer your pet hammocks, cat houses and trees to give him more space to practice. Game complexes are suitable for both entertainment and recreation. They have hanging teasers that will not let your pet get bored while you are at work, multi-level sleeping shelves and scratching posts wrapped in sisal or jute. It is better to put such a device in a place with a good overview. For example, at the window.

Many cats like to climb higher. Closets and doors offer a great view of everything that happens in the house. If you do not like it, you can provide a separate shelf in the hallway. From there, the animal will watch who comes to visit, without the risk of breaking a vase or pinching its tail.

5. Organize a place to drink

The habit of lapping from the faucet can seem like fun until the cat starts jumping into the sink at the wrong time. Suppose when you brush your teeth or wash your food. To teach your pet to drink from a bowl, put it in a quiet place - for example, in the back corner of the kitchen, and not at the front door. If the cat likes to be on high ground, you can raise the container to the windowsill. The main thing is to keep water away from the tray. Many animals are not ready to drink where they go to the toilet.

Sometimes the place is fine, but the cat still ignores the bowl. Pay attention to the material from which it is made. Metal can scare away with sound, and plastic can collect extraneous smells. Change the water regularly and wash the bowl with an unscented cleaner. If your pet prefers running water, you can offer him a drinking fountain.

What to buy

• Ceramic bowl on a stand from Pet Paradise, 989 rubles →
• Automatic drinking fountain from SAFEBURG, 1,990 rubles →

6. Don't create conditions for behavior you don't like

Often, cat owners themselves create an environment in which the animal misbehaves. For example, they scatter chargers for gadgets, and then scold the pet for chewing on the wires. If you know your cat is prone to cable chewing, adapt your habits by charging your phone in a closed room, for example. Otherwise, the animal may get burned or suffocate.

If you want your pet to stop eating flowers, transfer them to the shelves, to which he will not jump. Need to wean your cat from walking on the kitchen table? Do not leave food or dirty dishes there. Suggest an alternative: for example, bedding on the windowsill or a separate cat shelf. Do not indulge in begging - many animal products harmful. For example, milk can provoke diarrhea and other digestive disorders, and a large amount of salt - poisoning and urolithiasis. In addition, it will not be easy to retrain an adult cat, who has been accustomed to receiving food on demand since childhood.

The main thing is not to punish for mistakes. Scream, flip flops, nose poke in a random puddle will call just stress.

7. Deal with losses

If you are planning to get a cat, you should mentally prepare for the fact that she can break something, tear or scratch. Once in a new place, the pet will definitely explore the territory. Therefore, walk around the apartment and figure out what potential dangers may lie in wait for him in the house. And if you have things dear to your heart, hide them where the claws and teeth of the animal are guaranteed not to reach.