When my daughter Cherri and her fiancé Nick announced they were adopting a 3-month-old gray, stripy kitten named Isabella, I was asked to put a plan into action to “catify” their West Los Angeles apartment, transforming it into a cat-friendly living space.
I had to start from scratch, and “scratch” was the operative word!
From the kitten’s perspective, the beautifully polished inlaid floors, the designer leather furniture and luscious tropical plants measured up to a feline theme park of interesting scratching posts and play areas. There was no way Isabella would have a Fast Pass to all these attractions; there had to be some restricted zones.
All pets need their own space in a household, and the best way to designate feline-friendly areas is by placing cat accessories around the home, such as kitty condos, scratching posts, comfy bedding, window hammocks and lots of stimulating toys. This goes hand-in-hand with a kitty boot camp training program to teach respect for the restricted areas.
**For the full article, pick up the May 2007 issue of CAT FANCY.**
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