Cat keeping: The most important tipsHow to keep cats properly

About 15.2 million cats¹ live in German households. This makes cats the most popular pets in this country. If cats are kept appropriately, they can live up to 20 years. However, this requires more than just a scratching post and litter trays. Find out here how to give cats a long and happy life.

Graceful movements, velvety fur and soothing purring - for many animal lovers, cats are balm for the soul. They admire the animals and want to adopt a cat of their own. Especially people who long for a pet and have too little time for a dog often think that cats are less demanding. But this assumption is wrong. Cats also have diverse needs and their husbandry requirements should not be underestimated.

Cats are said to be loners. This is only true for some of them and depends not only on their genetic make-up but also on their experiences as kittens. Cats that have grown up with other cats in their first weeks of life continue to appreciate the closeness of their conspecifics. They seek physical contact, groom each other and play together. For indoor cats in particular, you should aim to keep them together with other social cats. It is advisable to directly adopt two cats that get on with each other². If it becomes apparent that a cat is a loner, it is best to keep it alone.

If you take in young cats that have been accustomed to close contact with humans in their first weeks of life, they should stay with their mother and siblings for at least ten - preferably twelve - weeks and only then move into their new home.³ Same-sex, neutered animals generally get along better with each other than male and female cats. We generally recommend looking in animal shelters first, as there are many wonderful cats waiting for a new loving home. These include many older cats, who can enrich your life just as much as younger animals and are grateful for any attention.

Always an extra litter tray

The quiet place for cats should be as quiet as possible in the truest sense of the word: cats want to be undisturbed when doing their business and feel safe. They also need to be able to observe their surroundings. The ideal location for litter trays is therefore quiet and at the same time provides an overview of the room. If you keep several cats, the litter trays should not be in a dead end. The following applies to the number: there must always be one more litter tray than there are cats in the household. If there are two cats, at least three litter trays are required. A litter box should be at least big enough for the cat to have enough space to turn around, squat and scratch. The rim must also be designed in such a way that the animal can get in and out easily. We do not recommend litter trays with lids or additional flaps. Not only do they collect dust and odors, they also cause ventilation problems. These clean and odor-sensitive animals attach particular importance to hygiene. You should therefore remove any droppings from the litter tray several times a day. Always use low-dust cat litter without fragrances. The entire litter tray must also be cleaned regularly. Dispose of all the litter and wash the tray thoroughly with hot water. Toilets, food and water points should be as far away from each other as possible.

* The cost estimate depends on factors such as the breed and size of the animal, (pre-)illnesses, feeding method, etc. Additional veterinary costs and costs such as health insurance cannot be calculated as a lump sum, as they vary greatly from person to person.

It is important that the home is structured in a way that is suitable for cats and that the animals can use several levels - such as cupboards or empty shelves.⁵ The home should also ideally have a varied design:

• Climbing opportunities, raised lying areas, vantage points, scratching opportunities and several hiding and retreat areas are essential.
• Being able to watch what's going on outside from a windowsill is like watching television for cats.
• A secure balcony offers even more variety and fresh air.

Regardless of gender and whether you keep your cat outdoors or only indoors, you should always have your cat neutered. By making this decision, you are actively contributing to animal welfare. Because cats from private households that are not neutered contribute to the growth of the population of free-roaming cats. More and more cats are already fighting for survival on the streets. By neutering cats, you can directly help to reduce their suffering. It is also important to have your pets identified with a transponder and to register them free of charge with FINDEFIX, the pet register of the German Animal Welfare Federation.