We understand that renting in big cities can be challenging, especially for younger people navigating precarious lifestyles. Yet, we also know from experience that cats in need sometimes happen in our lives unexpectedly. While it is essential to carefully consider our capacity to care for a pet before adopting, we firmly believe that offering a loving home, even if it is doomed to imperfection, is far better than leaving an animal in need without support.
Living in a studio apartment does not mean you have to miss out on the joys of cat guardianship or that you have to say “no” to a cat in need you might encounter one day. Even if you have only a limited space, sharing it with a cat is still possible. What you need is the right preparation, a little creativity, and an appropriate mindset. This blog post provides firsthand tips and tricks on living with a cat (or even two of them) in a tiny studio flat. It was not perfect, but we managed, and so can you!
Adopt Wisely
We understand that, in many cases, you might be facing a dilemma because you have already been unexpectedly “adopted” by a stray cat. However, if you’re still without a feline friend but are considering adoption despite living in a studio flat, consider taking a cat that fits your living space.
Seniors and disabled cats will not be bothered by limited space as long as you provide them with appropriate care and love. Since these cats are often overlooked in favour of kittens and healthier cats, your choice could give them a rare opportunity to find a forever home.
Prepare Yourself Mentally
Living in a small space can be hard, but sharing it with another living being can be even more challenging. Once you invite a cat into your studio apartment, you’ll be sharing every bit of space all the time.
Midnight zoomies and early morning meows won’t be something you can escape by closing a door. If you are too tired to do the dishes immediately after dinner, be prepared that your cat might help themselves to the leftovers. Your clothes will inevitably be covered in cat fur, and the distinct aroma of your cat’s food—and poop—will become a regular part of your environment.
It’s important to understand that living with a cat in a small space has some ugly, annoying, and smelling sides. So, before adopting, make sure you are ready to embrace those challenges with love and understanding.
Get Ready for Radical Space-Sharing
Cats are curious creatures and will likely explore every nook and cranny of your studio. Accept that your cat will consider the entire apartment their territory, from your bed to your kitchen counter.
In other circumstances, you might want to create no-cat zones in your house or train your cat to avoid certain areas. However, in studio flats such ideas are neither practical nor advisable. If you are used to having lots of personal space, this can be an adjustment, but after all, sharing is caring!
Maximise Vertical Spaces
In a studio apartment, every tiny bit of space counts. While you cannot make your floor space bigger, you can maximise vertical space. By doing it the smart way, you will double up your cat’s living space.
Install shelves or invest in a tall cat tree to create a multi-level environment. You might need to get extra creative if you rent, as not all landlords allow you to drill the walls. In such cases, you might need to restore to suction-cups window perches and lower cat-trees that do not require wall mounting. Lastly, think creatively about your furniture. By rearranging them appropriately, you can create “stepping stones”, allowing your cat to access all high-up spaces in your apartment.
For more ideas on creating a cat-friendly environment, check out our post on how to make a cat-friendly home.
Make the Most of Your Furniture
Use your furniture creatively and try to utilise hidden compartments or open spaces underneath where your cat can nap or hide. Standing bookshelves or invaluable Kallax compartments from Ikea are great options. You can place a den or a soft bed on one of the shelves while still having plenty of room to store your own stuff.
Wardrobes are also great as they offer plenty of space for a cosy bed on top and wonderful hiding spaces inside. Obviously, the latter comes at some cost, but we have already established that your clothes will be covered in fur anyway!
Lastly, you can also consider hanging hammocks underneath your chair or table. This way, you might even convince your cat that there are better spaces to nap during your important WFH meeting than the top of your laptop (obviously, I cannot promise anything here)!
Double the Playtime
While you should always aim to keep your cat entertained, it becomes even more important if your living space is limited. Since they have less space to explore, you need to double up on playtime to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Use a variety of interactive toys, and remember to rotate them so your cat does not get bored.
If you want to learn more about engaging your cat in quality playtime, you might find some of our tips and tricks on entertaining cats who do not want to play with any toys useful. For toy ideas, check out this guide on finding the best toys for cats who love hunting.
Provide DIY Enrichment
Cats get easily bored with objects, so it’s key to have a variety of toys and rotate them every couple of days. Creating DIY enrichment activities can keep your cat engaged without cluttering your small space with toys. Simple things like cardboard boxes, paper bags, or homemade puzzle feeders can provide hours of entertainment.
Do you need inspiration for playtime? Our guide on how to play with cats without toys has plenty of creative ideas.
Consider Leash-Walking
Consider leash-walking your cat if your studio apartment lacks windows or safe outdoor spaces. It can be a great way for them to get fresh air and exercise, and it is an additional opportunity for you to spend quality time together and bond. While leash-walking is not for every cat, it is certainly worth trying.
Are you not sure where to start? Our post on taking your cat for a walk has all the practical information you need, while our guide on taking your cat to a local park will help you find some safe and quiet walking spots for your escapades.
Train Your Cat
Just like dogs, cats can be trained. Furthermore, they like learning new tricks! Training sessions provide your cat with intense mental stimulation. After all, your cat needs to figure out what good behaviour we reinforce and try remembering it. This involves a lot of focus. For that reason, even training sessions lasting as little as 10 minutes are excellent for your cat to use up some excess energy.
Furthermore, appropriately crafted training sessions can be an excellent way to foster your mutual bond. You just need to remember that the learning curve should always be adjusted to your cat’s learning speed. To create a positive experience, tricks should be broken down into easy and manageable pieces. The key is that your cat should mostly “win” at competing tasks. Remember only to use positive reinforcement and reward your smart kitty with treats!
Keep It Clean and Hygienic
Let’s face it. If you live with your cat in a studio flat, you will have to be very consistent with cleaning. Small spaces can get messy and smelly fast, so make a habit of cleaning once, if not twice, daily. Most importantly, clean your cat’s litter box by scooping every morning and evening.
You will also need to hoover and clean surfaces regularly, as fighting litter tracing and excess cat fur will now be part of your daily routine. If you can, invest in a lightweight cordless hoover to make the cleaning as smooth as possible. You will use it a lot, trust me!
Provide Hiding Spaces
Cats perceive proximity slightly differently than we do. For them, merely staying in the same room already means “spending time together”. Therefore, living in a studio apartment can be a bit overwhelming to them, especially if you work from home.
For that reason, your cat needs hiding spots where they can retreat and feel secure. Simple solutions like a covered cat den or an empty cupboard can provide the privacy they crave.
You should also respect your cat’s privacy. Whenever your cat goes for a nap in one of those hiding spots, let them become completely invisible. Refrain from petting them, talking to them, staring at them. Let them enjoy some private time!
Space Out Resources
On top of all the other things, you must also plan how to arrange your cat’s three major resources: food, water and the litter box. The main logistic difficulty here lies in the fact that none of these should be placed together.
Cats do not like having water next to their food. For their wild counterparts, a similar setup could indicate a significant risk of water contamination. On the other hand, I believe we can all understand why cats might not want to eat and drink next to their toilet…
Final Thoughts: Living with a Cat in a Studio Flat is Possible!
Living with a cat in a studio apartment can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires careful planning and a bit of creativity. With the above tips, you can create a cosy, enriching environment where both you and your cat can thrive.
If you live in a studio flat with your furry friend, we’d love to hear about the challenges you find most difficult in your setup. Share your favourite hacks for optimising your limited space to make it comfortable for both you and your cat. Your tips could help others in similar situations! As always, we look forward to hearing from you.