Facing various situations with your cat may lead you to consider caging as a solution. Common scenarios include a cat with broken bones requiring cage rest, an aggressive cat posing a risk to others, a cat causing sleep disturbances, or one that destructively scratches furniture. Each of these situations is unique and challenging, yet it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of caging.
Cats can experience psychological stress from prolonged confinement, which can impact their well-being. It’s essential to approach caging with empathy, understanding that it’s a last resort when other solutions have been exhausted. Caging should only be considered under special circumstances, such as a vet’s prescription for cage rest.
The negative effects of caging on cats are significant. It can lead to boredom, anxiety, and a lack of stimulation, which are detrimental to their health. Therefore, it’s vital to explore alternative solutions that can address the issues without resorting to long-term caging.
There are numerous alternatives to caging, even for those with limited space or budget. These solutions can be more effective and beneficial for your cat’s health and happiness. By addressing the root cause of the problem, you can find a solution that works for both you and your feline friend.
After reading this article, if you have any comments or want to share your specific problem and why you considered caging as a solution, please feel free to leave a comment. It can help others facing similar challenges to find better solutions for their cats.
In situations involving special circumstances such as having a second cat or an infant child, it’s crucial to address them when considering cat behavior and management. If you come across this article and have advice for people in similar situations, please take a moment to share your thoughts, tips, tricks, and past experiences in the comments. Your input can greatly assist stressed pet parents.
The Petmate Sky Kennel Airline Approved Pet Cage is a product mentioned on Amazon and Chewy. It’s important to discuss why caging a cat for long periods can be detrimental. Numerous cautionary tales highlight the psychological damage caused by keeping cats in cages for extended periods. These stories often involve cats that, after being adopted from previous owners or breeders who kept them caged, exhibit fear, anxiety, stress, and health issues. They take a long time to recover from what appears to be a traumatic experience. Gwyn Kemp-Philp shares a personal experience on Quora about a rescue cat that had been routinely caged and was perpetually scared of any human approach and enclosures. The cat lost its natural curiosity and was unapproachable for months. Vet visits were a nightmare due to the cat’s extreme fear of being put in a carrier. Warren Taylor also shares a story on Quora about adopting a cat from an unethical breeder who kept Egyptian Maus in small cages. The cat’s stress and health issues were evident, highlighting the long-term effects of such confinement.Upon picking up Maddy, the appalling conditions in which the cats were kept in small cages were revealed. Maddy’s behavioral issues, such as hiding, hissing, and growling, suggested that she might have suffered more than just confinement. We initially interacted with her by talking without attempting to touch or force her out, which eventually led to her trusting us and becoming a loving companion after three months, albeit still shy with strangers. Maddy is considered a rescue from an abusive life.
Cats, unlike dogs, are not suited for long periods in cages. Dogs have a natural instinct for dens, which makes crating feel safe and anxiety-free. However, cats require the ability to move around and observe their environment; confinement can lead to emotional problems and self-harm. Even in shelters, cats are allowed to roam for part of the day. Stacie Taylor Cornett’s Quora explanation highlights that dogs can be crated during the day due to their denning instinct, but cats do not have this instinct. Cats feel trapped and react negatively when confined, which can lead to emotional distress. It’s advised to avoid keeping cats in cages for extended periods, as it’s not a viable solution despite dogs’ tolerance for crating.When considering alternatives to caging cats, there are several humane and effective solutions. Here are the solutions I’ve come up with:
1. **Section Off a Room for the Cat** Instead of caging a cat, providing a dedicated room can be a direct alternative. This involves ensuring the cat has everything they need within that room, including water, scratch posts, pads, cat trees, food, a window view, toys, beds, and any other items your cat enjoys. By equipping the room with plenty of cat-friendly items, you can reduce anxiety and create a stress-free environment. This can be particularly helpful in situations like inter-cat fighting, moving anxiety, or adjusting to a new home. For small rooms, optimize space by arranging furniture to allow cats to access high spaces. For example, place a chair next to a side table, next to a taller dresser, and near a bookshelf. The underside of the chair can be turned into a hideaway with a blanket and a cardboard box for a cozy nap spot. Cats can utilize vertical space as well as horizontal space. By being creative with furniture arrangement and maximizing vertical space, you can make any room feel larger to a cat. If you lack furniture, a cat tree is an efficient way to create multiple levels. Remember, the goal is to keep your cat happy and comfortable in their designated space, without the need for a cage.There are some cat trees that are quite affordable. For those with limited space, there are narrow options available. I can say that before buying my first cat tree, I thought they might be overrated. But the five cats in my household really love them and prefer them to scratch posts and most other furniture. The best spots for kitties are ones with window views from different angles. This way, your cat can nap and see birds and other wildlife without moving.
There are many behavioural issues that can make pet parents consider caging their pets. Resolving these issues can be difficult if you don’t know where to start. However, once you have an idea of what to do or what to buy, the problems can be quickly resolved. Some quick fixes for specific problems include: if your cat scratches your house all the time, use furniture scratch protector covers. There are couch protector covers, cat scratch guards, and couch cat scratchers. To solve food theft, use a microchip cat feeder. To solve hunger issues, use a timed feeder like the Petsafe Simply Feed. To allow one cat to escape if another is aggressive, give the cat a room and use a microchip pet door. If your cat pees on the bed, use waterproof bed covers. You can also try waterproof pet beds if your cat has accidents on their bed. Training is a more time-consuming process than quick fixes. It requires more effort to implement and reap the benefits.Training your cats is essential for both their safety and your home’s hygiene. One critical behavior all pet parents should train their cats to do is to keep off of counters. This not only maintains cleanliness but also prevents accidents, such as cats hurting themselves by landing on or consuming dangerous items like knives or chocolate left on the counter.
Other behavioral issues can be addressed by combining training with quick fixes. For instance, teaching your cat to stop scratching on the couch is more effective when you also use couch protector covers to safeguard your furniture until the training takes full effect.
Some behavioral problems stem from a single trigger. If your cat cries and begs for food all day, the likely cause is that you’re feeding them human food. Stopping this practice can curb the begging behavior. Similarly, if your cat wakes you up earlier each morning, it’s often because you feed them immediately upon waking. Delaying the first feeding or using a timed feeder like the PetSafe Food Dispenser can resolve this issue.
More complex behavioral issues require a multifaceted approach. These issues are complicated because they often involve more than one unmet need in the cat’s environment. For example, hyperactive cats need a more engaging environment, which can be achieved by playing with them more often and providing a variety of toys for independent play. Implementing passive techniques to prevent feline boredom is also crucial.
Hyperactivity can lead to problems like meowing and crying all night, a frustrating issue that many cat owners face. To keep kittens occupied, provide them with high-energy cat toys. As they age, these behaviors often diminish.
Lastly, one of the most challenging issues for new cat owners is when two cats don’t get along. However, with patience and effort, you can train your cats to be more comfortable with each other. It’s a process that requires time but is definitely worth the investment for a harmonious home.
For more ideas on cat training, visit my blog’s training section and reach out if there are topics you’d like me to cover that haven’t been discussed here.
Have you ever felt so frustrated with a cat’s behavior that caging seemed like a possible solution? Many pet owners face such dilemmas and wonder if caging is the right approach for their feline friends.
What specific problems have you encountered or are currently dealing with regarding cat behavior? Cats are distinctly different from dogs when it comes to crating. Have you considered the psychological impact of crating on cats over time? Did you know that the effects can be severe?
Have you had any experiences with crated cats? We invite you to share your stories, opinions, and thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
Your insights could be invaluable to other pet parents seeking advice on how to handle similar situations.Edit 2022/03/14: I’ve written a follow-up article on this subject, titled ‘Caging Cats at Night in a Way That’s Luxurious, Comfortable (& Humane!)’. If you’re interested, definitely check it out for more insights and perspectives on this important issue.
Please feel free to leave your comments and join the discussion on the humane and comfortable caging of cats.
