Kittens and cats - a suitable environment
This section contains information about the things your cat needs to have a safe and comfortable environment.
A comfortable place to sleep and rest
What type of bed does my cat need?
Cats need a cosy bed in a quiet, dry, draught-free area. Some cats prefer soft beds with a roof – especially suitable for a shy cat – whereas others prefer an open basket lined with soft bedding. The bedding should be easily cleaned and washed weekly.
I have more than one cat – how many beds do they need?
If you have more than one cat you will need to provide separate beds for each cat, which are well apart from each other in your house. A good general rule is to provide one more sleeping area than the number of cats – so if you have two cats, provide three beds.
Do cats need access to high places?
Cats feel safest when they are high up, and this gives them a sense of security in their living environment. They should have safe access to places like shelves or tops of cupboards.
Do cats need somewhere to hide?
Cats like places where they can go to hide. If they don’t have anywhere suitable they can become stressed. Ideally they need an enclosed bed or box, or safe access to underneath a chair or bed.
Hazards and poisons to watch out for
Every year vets see many pet injuries that could have been prevented. There are lots of pet hazards which can easily be overlooked, but by being aware of these you can help prevent your pet from suffering unnecessary injury.
Somewhere suitable to toilet
Does my cat need a litter tray?
Cats need somewhere suitable to toilet. This needs to be a quiet, easily accessible area away from food and water. You should provide a litter tray or an outside area, or both. When they toilet outdoors, cats dig a hole then cover it up with soil or other material. If using a litter tray, kittens often develop a preference for a certain type of litter that lasts throughout their life. If you change from this type of litter when they are older, this may cause them to stop using the litter tray.
I have more than one cat – how many litter trays do they need?
If you have more than one cat you should provide as many litter trays as there are cats, plus one. So for two cats you should provide three litter trays. Each litter tray should be in a different part of the house. This is because cats need their own separate toilet areas. Having to come close to other cats to go to the toilet can be a cause of chronic stress. This can result in medical conditions, such as stress-related diseases of the urinary system.
Can cat faeces be dangerous to people?
You should always wear gloves when cleaning out your cat’s litter tray. Pregnant women should take additional precautions due to the possible risk from toxoplasmosis, a parasite which can be found in cat faeces.
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