Having a cat is a wonderful experience, but you must ensure that your cat has everything she needs to be healthy and happy.
You have to ensure that they have enough food and water, and you also have to clean their litter box.
It can be a lot of work to own a cat, but what happens when you’re away from home or don’t have enough space in your home? Can you keep a cat in one room?
The answer is yes; you can keep a cat in one room if the room is large enough (at least eighteen square feet) and has all of the necessary amenities for the cat. You’ll need double the space if you have more than one cat.
Also, the room should have a litter box, food and water bowls, a scratching post, and a place to sleep. It’s also essential to provide cat toys, cat trees, and plenty of places to hide.
If you keep a cat in one room, it’s crucial to visit the room often to spend time with the cat and ensure your furry friend has everything it needs.
I hope you got the answer to the question, can a cat live in a room? Keep reading to learn why you might want to keep your kitty in one room and how to keep it healthy and happy!
4 Main Reasons Why Some People Keep A Cat In One Room
There are several reasons why people might choose to keep their cats in one room. It can be a temporary situation, or it can be a permanent one.
Maybe the owners are worried about the cat getting lost, or the cat is a bit of a troublemaker, and they don’t want it running around the house, or the cat may be sick.
Here are some reasons why some people keep their cats in one room:
Introducing a New Cat
Introducing a new cat or other pet to your home can be a stressful time for a cat. Because of this, it is generally recommended that you keep your cat in its private space or the newcomer in one room until it has had a chance to adjust to its new surroundings. It will give the new pet cat a safe area.
Ensure you provide the cat with everything it needs, like a cat litter box, food, water, and cat toys. It can take a few days or weeks until your cat is comfortable exploring the entire house.
Social Anxiety
Many animals, including cats, can suffer from social anxiety. In that condition, they do not prefer to live with their owners and do not want to be part of the household. Often, they are stressed and like a safe, secure space of their own.
In this case, keeping a cat in a separate room may make sense. So, if you have a cat that suffers from social anxiety, keeping it in one room can help reduce its anxiety problems.
Sickness
If your cat (and other pets) is sick, it’s best to keep it in one room to prevent the spread of disease. It will also make it easier to monitor your cat and give it the proper medication.
In addition, it is natural for animals to be aggressive toward sick animals. If your cat is ill, you do not want to put it under additional stress. Keeping your sick cat alone in a room might be the key to recovery.
Your cat may need to stay in one room for a short period or indefinitely, depending on the severity of the illness.
Fighting Between Household Cats
You should keep your new kitty in one room until it acclimates to its new surroundings. Sometimes cats don’t get along and need to be separated.
Early socialization can cause it. Keeping both the cat separated is the safest and most sensible way to deal with volatile situations.
So, if you have two cats fighting, it’s best to keep them in separate rooms. It will allow them to calm down and hopefully work out their differences.
Containment
Some cat owners want to keep their cats in one room for containment. They may not want their cats to have full access to their homes for various reasons, including:
- To prevent cat fur (cat hair) all over the house.
- To avoid furniture scratched or destroyed plants.
- Keep the cat away from certain areas of the house, like the kitchen and bathroom, and prevent it from breaking valuables.
- To prevent the cat from spraying around the house.
In this case, they may devote just one room or section of the house to the cat. However, remember cats need social interaction with their family and should be allowed to do so.
How to Keep A Cat Happy In One Room
Now that we have looked at why people might keep their cats in one room, let’s look at how to ensure your cat is happy in that room.
The following are some ways to keep a cat happy in one room:
- Please ensure the room is big enough for the cat to move around and meet all its needs. A small bathroom or closet is not suitable.
- Provide the cat with food and water bowls and litter boxes.
- Make sure the room has plenty of cat toys to keep the cat entertained.
- Set up perches near windows so your kitty can watch the world go by, and offer scratching posts for it to scratch and climb and hiding places so she feels secure. Also, you can get a cat tree. It will help reduce stress.
- Add some catnip to the room to make it more attractive to the cat.
- Play with the cat regularly and provide it with plenty of attention.
How Much Space Does A Cat Need?
There’s no definitive answer for how much room a cat need since every cat is different. That’s because cats are active creatures who love running and jumping around.
Generally, a domestic cat needs at least 18 square feet of space to live. If you have more than one cat or multiple indoor cats, you’ll need to provide additional space for each cat.
So, you’ll need double this space if you have two cats.
However, the room size isn’t as important as the setup. The room should have all cat essentials, including a litter box, food, water bowls, scratching posts, and toys.
If you can provide all those things in one room, your cat will be happy.
How Long Should You Keep A New Cat In One Room?
You should keep a new cat in one room until it is acclimated to its new surroundings.
Depending on the new cat, they may need to stay in their safe room for at least three days, but some may require longer.
Once the cat is comfortable, you can slowly introduce it to the rest of the house. If you have other cats or pets, you may want to keep the new cat in one room until it has been spayed or neutered. It will help reduce the risk of fighting and other problems.
Do Cats Get Bored In One Room?
Yes, cats get bored in one room. That’s because cats are natural hunters and explorers and need stimulation and variety in their lives. Without it, they can become bored and restless.
If you have only one room for your cat to hang out in, try to provide it with some toys and scratching posts to keep her entertained, as well as a window to watch the birds or other animals outside.
You can also move its food and water dishes around, so the cat will have to explore different parts of the room to find them.
And be sure to change up the scenery every once in a while by moving furniture around or bringing in a new rug. It will help keep your cat from getting too bored.
Final Words
Hopefully, this article helped you better understand the question; can cats live in one room? Now you know that you can keep a cat in one room (for example, a small studio apartment or one bedroom apartment).
Just be sure to ensure a happy and healthy kitty. Provide it with a litter box, food and water bowl, a cat bed, and plenty of toys and scratching posts.
Remember that cats also need exercise, so let your cat out daily for a few minutes to stretch its legs.
When there is small space and not enough floor space in the cat room for the cat to exercise, cat trees are a great solution.
