Читать книгу How to Hide Your Cat from the Landlord: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Living in Harmony with a Compatible Feline in Smaller Spaces - Jasmine Kinnear - Страница 9

Living in Harmony with a Feline

~~Everything a cat is and does physically is to me beautiful, lovely, stimulating, soothing, attractive, and an enchantment.~~ Paul Gallico

If you are hiding your cat in a one-bedroom apartment your feline is adjusting to residing in a smaller space. As they do not have the personal freedom of a cat living in a larger home it is vital to provide a reasonably sized scratching pole. When your cat has a pole that enables them to both climb and sleep on assorted ledges it will serve many functions. Placed near a screened window it will not be seen from outside and your cat will appreciate the height. Your feline will also be provided with an opportunity to exercise as they climb onto the various levels of the pole. If you own a large privacy screen it may be placed near the pole should there be a need to block it’s presence in your home. When cats are trained as kittens to use a scratching pole with sleeping ledges, they seldom use their claws inappropriately and rarely scratch furniture. Finally, cat toys should be provided and rotated on a regular basis to prevent boredom.

Provide a greater sense of liberty for your cat by not enforcing excessive rules. While interviewing various tenants hiding their cats it became apparent that those with controlling personalities lay unnecessary limitations on their feline’s movements. Rules which are strictly enforced and are contrary to the nature of a feline will often result in negative stress related behavior. Cats living in such an environment may harbor mixed emotions of deep love with those of frustration and anger towards their owner.

In one urgent case I provided an indepth consultation for a couple who owned their pet restricted townhouse. They were hiding a male and female cat and both were declawed as the wife prized her living room furniture. The cats were restricted to a small living space on the main floor and were not permitted upstairs access as the wife equally prized her house plants. The wife had recently purchased expensive leather couches and both cats were forced to endure a second operation to have their back paws declawed as well. Following the second operation the attacks on the wife began.