There may be circumstances when your feline must remain quietly entertained in their carrier for a short period of time. I have found it most effective to keep a sealed jar of pure meat baby food with a spoon and plate right in the bedroom where the carrier is kept. If the baby food is sealed and has never been opened, it can be safely stored in your bedroom for the appropriate time when it will be needed. Once opened should your cat not finish the food it must be refrigerated or safely discarded. There are assorted flavors of baby food with many including vegetables and meat. It is important to only purchase the pure meat variety of baby food selecting either chicken or beef according to your cat’s personal preference. This food should be considered as a special treat and only opened to keep the cat occupied in his carrier while you are dealing with any unexpected company. Empty the entire jar of baby food on a plate and place it in the carrier with your cat. Keep the carrier door closed, leave the closet door ajar and close the door to your bedroom. Providing comforting music in the room will soothe the feline and also provide a background distraction to hide any sounds the cat may make in their enclosed carrier.
Chicken or beef baby food is such a pure source of meat it truly is a seductive food for cats. If only provided when you require them to be quiet they usually remain preoccupied while consuming their treat. It may be wise to practice several times to ascertain exactly how long your cat will remain quiet and if the baby food is an appropriate distraction to amuse your cat.
You may discover that the catnip corner is not an appropriate distraction for your cat. There are some felines that remain more content when they are placed and carried within their owner’s favorite handbag. Even with an unexpected visitor’s presence some felines are perfectly content and will stay quiet in an oversized handbag while their owner carries the bag over one shoulder. By leaving the top of the bag open and stroking their cat’s fur through the unzipped opening many felines remain content with a minimal amount of contact. Caterina, my Seal Point Himalayan was always quiet as long as I had my hand inside the bag and was stroking her. Such a large handbag can also be used to quietly transport your feline through the common areas of your building to a vehicle when you both must leave the apartment. The best method employed will depend entirely on the personality and age of your feline.
Moving in with a Roommate
If you are able to move next door to a trustworthy friend there will be a safe haven for your cat should your apartment need repairs beyond your own capabilities. It can be a mutually advantageous relationship when you both have cats and are able to emotionally support one another. Should you both be seeking kittens and live side by side in the same building it is best to select litter mates who will grow and play together on a regular basis.
Try keeping the kittens in the same apartment for company during the day while you are both working. This eliminates boredom as they will adapt to each home when you rotate between the two apartments on a regular basis. By adopting this practice neither cat will become territorial and will be company for each other as they accept the other’s scent and presence. Although trust is a necessity for this arrangement to succeed good friends are able to enjoy the best of both worlds. The cats will provide company for each other and not be lonely during the day. In the evenings each cat will desire their owner’s presence in their own apartment. When you have a feline friendly second apartment you can share the responsibility of hiding your cat in a moment’s notice.
If you are involved in a relationship or residing with a roommate then hiding your cat may prove to be less stressful. Your feline can always be removed from your suite in the event the Landlord’s services are required. When an apartment is shared, prior to the purchase or adoption of a feline it is best to first ascertain the legal ownership of the pet. To avoid any complications should the relationship end or the living arrangements change, the ownership of your cat will have been agreed upon in writing and therefore be legally established. Many friendships have been permanently damaged over the love of a cat. As with all possessions and treasured items in your shared home, the ownership of your feline should be finalized before any problems surface.
If you are purchasing a kitten, domestic or purebred, ensure that the paperwork is in the owner’s name and as the owner you assume full responsibility for all feline expenses including veterinarian costs. When purchasing a domestic kitten from a pet store or local animal shelter they will issue a receipt stating the legal owner. If you obtain a baby from a home where a litter of domestic kittens have been born it is essential that the veterinarian record of vaccinations and eventual altering clearly state the name of the legal owner.
The Balcony
Apartments and condominiums usually include balconies for the enjoyment of their tenants. However a decision must be made whether that enjoyment should also be extended to your cat. When selecting an apartment it is best to ensure that you have privacy and have solved any possible safety issues if your feline is to be permitted outside balcony access. When I lived with my cats in a twelve-storey high rise apartment building I had never heard of ‘High Rise Syndrome’ or HRS. HRS had yet to be acknowledged nor its obvious connection to apartment dwelling felines. Although this condition is presently well documented unfortunately it still occurs with alarming frequency. I believe I was spared this heartbreak through a matter of good fortune and the art of fine feline balance. I realize now that it could easily have happened to any one of my three cats.
Thomas, Dustin’s companion cat, loved to sit on the outside ledge of my balcony perched directly above the street, twelve floors away from certain death. He loved the incredible view and the privacy realized on the ledge that was only large enough for his solitary moments of quiet contemplation. I kept my litter boxes on the balcony during the Summer months and therefore could not control his movements while I was away working. When home I would lure him back onto the main balcony with his favorite treats and would then prevent his access to the smaller eight-inch square ledge.
I must stress again that I permitted my cats balcony access before any information was available on the important subject of High Rise Syndrome. It is best to be aware of any situation that could lead to sudden death or danger for your beloved cat. Both the American Humane Association (AHA) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) have written extensively on this topic. I wish to acknowledge these sources for the following passages that appear in italics:
High Rise Syndrome
Your apartment is a terrific home for your feline friend. High above the busy streets, your cat will be safe from speeding cars, dangerous diseases and cruel people. However, living in an apartment might not protect your cat from serious injury. Balconies, terraces, fire escapes and open windows can be unseen enemies if you do not take precautions.
While High Rise Syndrome is primarily a problem of city cats, even suburban and country cat owners need to take heed. Although cats usually land on their feet, depending on the distance of the fall and the kind of surface they land on, they can sustain severe injuries and/or death. Cats appear to like perching in dangerous, high places and have little fear of heights. Many owners believe they will not fall. However thousands of them do fall each year from balconies, open windows and rooftops. Sometimes a cat who has been watching a bird will become so focused, he or she may step out into thin air. Likewise, sometimes a cat chasing a moth indoors can sail right out an open unscreened window.
A determined cat can wiggle through the smallest opening of any window or glass sliding door. Tiny balcony ledges are a particular hazard for cats living in high rises. A comfortable body harness and leash held by you is the best protection against any falls.
ASPCA president and CEO Dr. Larry Hawk says, “Pet owners need to know that this