Is Your Apartment Big Enough for a Cat ?

Some of the most frequent questions asked by people who are thinking of getting a cat have to do with the size of their homes. There are no quick and easy answers. However, we can safely say that a cat can be very happy and comfortable in a small studio apartment. He can also be miserable and lonely in a 5,000 square foot home if he is ignored by his human companion. Here are the issues to consider:

Will He Be Bored?

Although cats are not really the "loners" some people believe them to be, a cat can remain active and interested in his surroundings, no matter how small, as long as his human companion takes the time each day to play with him and cuddle with him. After all, this is the reason you're thinking of getting a cat, isn't it?

Will Litter Box Odor Be a Problem?

Litter box odor is controlled by three conditions:

1. Choice of Cat Food (Garbage in Garbage Out) - As a rule, premium cat food with few grain fillers will produce less stool odor.
2. Cleanliness of the Litter Box - A box kept scrupulously clean will not produce penetrating odors, even if it is kept in a small bathroom. (If you're really cramped for space, there are some very nice litter box enclosures on the market, that look like nice pieces of furniture to visitors.)
3. Having Ample Litter Boxes - The rule of thumb is one litter box per cat plus one extra. So a home (or apartment) with one cat should have two litter boxes.

4. What If He Misses the Litter Box?

   If you clean the litter box regularly, it is unlikely your cat will go outside the box. If he does, despite pristine-clean boxes, a veterinary visit is indicated. Urinary tract infections or Chronic Renal Failure in older cats are the most common medical causes of out-of-the-box accidents.
5. UTIs should be considered a medical emergency for cats. Also called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder (FLUTD), the common symptoms in addition to urinating outside the box are:
   • Straining to urinate
   • Meowing or crying while in the litter box
   • Excessive licking of the genitals
   • Blood in the urine

Cystitis in Cats 

is another painful cause of cats urinating outside the box. It is caused by crystals forming in the bladder, which make urinating extremely painful. Immediate treatment is necessary for cats that get Cystitis. It isn't surprising that Urinary Tract problems are the number one cause of cats being taken to the veterinarian.

Cats need an acidic urine for urinary tract health. The pH of cat food has a direct relationship here. Although the higher range may vary under certain circumstances, the expert consensus seems to be from 6.0 to 6.5. (The lower the pH, the more acidic the urine.) A pH above this range can lead to the growth of struvites (magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals). A pH lower than 6.0 can cause the formation of calcium oxalate crystals.

I Don't Have a Yard. Will He Be Unhappy Kept Indoors All the Time?

Please don't fall for the "fresh air and sunshine" fallacy. Hundreds of thousands of cats live out long and perfectly happy lives as indoors-only cats, as long as they get the exercise they need through interactive play with a human parent. There are safe alternatives, depending on your apartment arrangement. You can screen off a balcony (with the landlord's permission), or you can train your cat to walk on a leash, for outdoor excursions.

Treat Kitty to Some Play-Alone Toys

For times when you won't be home with your cat, several play-alone toys will help keep him from feeling lonely when you are not home. They needn't be expensive, either. We hear that cats are wild about the Yeowww Catnip Cigars, and they also love the catnip bananas. Even paper shopping bags are great free playtoys for cats, who love to burrow in them like nests. Just be sure to cut off the handles first. 

The Short Answer

The amount of love and positive attention your cat receives is much more important than the square footage of your apartment.