Pet Corner: Living With Cats

Cats have a way of inserting themselves into whatever we’re doing. If you’ve ever made a bed with a cat in the room, you know it becomes a full-contact sport. They leap onto the sheets just as you’re smoothing them out, tunnel under the comforter, and eventually sit proudly in the center like they’ve helped. They climb into boxes before you’ve even unpacked them, and they treat the items on your nightstand as if they're part of a science experiment. What starts off as a stylish new piece of furniture usually ends up being repurposed by my cat as a scratching post, I’ve learned to accept that. Despite all this, or maybe because of it, we love them.

Living with cats means learning to work with their instincts and habits. One of the most common concerns we hear about is inappropriate urination. Before assuming it’s behavioral, it’s important to rule out medical causes like urinary tract infections or kidney disease with a simple urine test. If health issues are ruled out, take a close look at the litter box situation. The general guideline is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Litter boxes should be in quiet, accessible areas and cleaned daily. Covered boxes and scented litters may be convenient for us, but many cats avoid them. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as one more box, a larger, cleaner box, or moving it to a more cat-friendly location.

Creating an enriched home environment is just as important as food and water. Cats love to perch up high, so providing vertical space like cat trees, wall shelves, or even the top of a sturdy bookcase can help meet this need. Setting up a bird-watching spot near a window gives indoor cats mental stimulation and satisfies their natural curiosity. Scratching posts, both horizontal and vertical, should be scattered throughout the home. Scratching is how cats mark territory and stretch, and redirecting that behavior to appropriate surfaces protects your furniture (sometimes) and keeps them happy.

Cats are also masters at hiding illness. This is especially true for older cats, who often won’t show obvious signs of being unwell. Watch for subtle clues like weight loss, a rough or greasy coat, drinking more water than usual, urinating more often, or being picky with their food. These signs are worth checking out, especially as cats age. Conditions like kidney disease and hyperthyroidism can be caught early with lab work and managed with simple treatments.

Flea prevention is another area where cat owners often run into trouble. Even indoor-only cats are at risk. Fleas can hitchhike into your home on clothing, shoes, or other pets. Over-the-counter flea medications often don’t last a full month or are no longer effective against modern flea populations. Prescription products remain the most reliable and safest choice, and treating every pet in the household consistently is key to getting rid of fleas for good.

Caring for cats means understanding what makes them feel secure, comfortable, and healthy. From litter box placement to vertical territory, and from recognizing signs of illness to choosing effective flea control, small changes can make a big difference in their quality of life. And while they may continue to knock everything off your nightstand, they’ll also curl up beside you at the end of the day, content in a home that works for them.

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