of rinsed cat food tins simply remove and shred the cat identifying label then place the tins with your regular household waste or in the recycling bin.
Dispose of soiled litter frequently to prevent the bag from breaking due to the concentrated weight. Maintain a supply of standard paper bags which can be reinforced by placing them within plastic grocery bags. Both are provided when purchasing groceries and offer additional protection for litter disposal. However should your pet store supply a brand name cat litter that is flushable you may be spared additional work and not require your building’s refuse facilities. Please note that it is essential to request at time of purchase if the store will guarantee that their disposible litter will not create plumbing hazards in your apartment suite.
Catnip Corner
Take time to prepare a special area of isolation for your cat that may be used should the Manager unexpectantly arrive at your door. It is best to own two cat carriers. One should be stored in the trunk of your car and a second that never leaves your bedroom closet. As the cat carrier in your closet is never used for transportation to the vet, you will not be stressing your feline with an environment that is associated with change and fear. The carrier in your bedroom closet should be a place of comfort associated with pleasant memories. Catnip should be placed in the carrier infrequently to encourage your cat to associate that area as part of their personal territory. Some felines are attracted to a quiet dark area where they are able to rest and will frequently retreat to the peace and quiet of their carriers.
Should you have a visitor at your door never attempt to keep your cat occupied by using catnip. This product should be used infrequently and only to associate the carrier as a feline friendly environment. Cats often become more aggressive when they are provided with catnip. With time and as your feline ages you will be better able to interpret your cat’s expected behavior while he is under the influence. It should also be noted that kittens may not show any interest in catnip and some adult cats are only mildly stimulated by it’s effects.
Many felines become lethargic and will sleep when they have been fed pure chicken or beef baby food in their secluded carriers. Make the carrier as comfortable as possible with a pillow and an article of your own clothing. Due to heat during certain times of the year, the placement of the carrier may need to be changed if the bedroom closet is deemed inappropriate. If you utilize a fan and quietly play music behind the closed bedroom door it will provide additional background noise. In fact your visitor may quickly leave as it might be assumed you are entertaining a guest in the room.
There may be circumstances when your feline must remain quietly entertained in their carrier for a short period of time. I have found it most effective to keep a sealed jar of pure meat baby food with a spoon and plate right in the bedroom where the carrier is kept. If the baby food is sealed and has never been opened, it can be safely stored in your bedroom for the appropriate time when it will be needed. Once opened should your cat not finish the food it must be refrigerated or safely discarded. There are assorted flavors of baby food with many including vegetables and meat. It is important to only purchase the pure meat variety of baby food selecting either chicken or beef according to your cat’s personal preference. This food should be considered as a special treat and only opened to keep the cat occupied in his carrier while you are dealing with any unexpected company. Empty the entire jar of baby food on a plate and place it in the carrier with your cat. Keep the carrier door closed, leave the closet door ajar and close the door to your bedroom. Providing comforting music in the room will soothe the feline and also provide a background distraction to hide any sounds the cat may make in their enclosed carrier.
Chicken or beef baby food is such a pure source of meat it truly is a seductive food for cats. If only provided when you require them to be quiet they usually remain preoccupied while consuming their treat. It may be wise to practice several times to ascertain exactly how long your cat will remain quiet and if the baby food is an appropriate distraction to amuse your cat.
You may discover that the catnip corner is not an appropriate distraction for your cat. There are some felines that remain more content when they are placed and carried within their owner’s favorite handbag. Even with an unexpected visitor’s presence some felines are perfectly content and will stay quiet in an oversized handbag while their owner carries the bag over one shoulder. By leaving the top of the bag open and stroking their cat’s fur through the unzipped opening many felines remain content with a minimal amount of contact. Caterina, my Seal Point Himalayan was always quiet as long as I had my hand inside the bag and was stroking her. Such a large handbag can also be used to quietly transport your feline through the common areas of your building to a vehicle when you both must leave the apartment. The best method employed will depend entirely on the personality and age of your feline.
Moving in with a Roommate
If you are able to move next door to a trustworthy friend there will be a safe haven for your cat should your apartment need repairs beyond your own capabilities. It can be a mutually advantageous relationship when you both have cats and are able to emotionally support one another. Should you both be seeking kittens and live side by side in the same building it is best to select litter mates who will grow and play together on a regular basis.
Try keeping the kittens in the same apartment for company during the day while you are both working. This eliminates boredom as they will adapt to each home when you rotate between the two apartments on a regular basis. By adopting this practice neither cat will become territorial and will be company for each other as they accept the other’s scent and presence. Although trust is a necessity for this arrangement to succeed good friends are able to enjoy the best of both worlds. The cats will provide company for each other and not be lonely during the day. In the evenings each cat will desire their owner’s presence in their own apartment. When you have a feline friendly second apartment you can share the responsibility of hiding your cat in a moment’s notice.
If you are involved in a relationship or residing with a roommate then hiding your cat may prove to be less stressful. Your feline can always be removed from your suite in the event the Landlord’s services are required. When an apartment is shared, prior to the purchase or adoption of a feline it is best to first ascertain the legal ownership of the pet. To avoid any complications should the relationship end or the living arrangements change, the ownership of your cat will have been agreed upon in writing and therefore be legally established. Many friendships have been permanently damaged over the love of a cat. As with all possessions and treasured items in your shared home, the ownership of your feline should be finalized before any problems surface.
If you are purchasing a kitten, domestic or purebred, ensure that the paperwork is in the owner’s name and as the owner you assume full responsibility for all feline expenses including veterinarian costs. When purchasing a domestic kitten from a pet store or local animal shelter they will issue a receipt stating the legal owner. If you obtain a baby from a home where a litter of domestic kittens have been born it is essential that the veterinarian record of vaccinations and eventual altering clearly state the name of the legal owner.
The Balcony
Apartments and condominiums usually include balconies for the enjoyment of their tenants. However a decision must be made whether that enjoyment should also be extended to your cat. When selecting an apartment it is best to ensure that you have privacy and have solved any possible safety issues if your feline is to be permitted outside balcony access. When I lived with my cats in a twelve-storey high rise apartment building I had never heard of ‘High Rise Syndrome’ or HRS. HRS had yet to be acknowledged nor its obvious connection to apartment dwelling felines. Although this condition is presently well documented unfortunately it still occurs with alarming frequency. I believe I was spared this heartbreak through a matter of good fortune and the art of fine feline balance. I realize now that it could easily have happened to any one of my
