Could Cat Enclosures Be the Secret to Reducing Your Cat’s Stress?

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Does your pet cat pace around anxiously whenever you’re not around? Or perhaps they scratch furniture legs to no end? 

While dogs may get all the flak for being furniture busters and document destroyers, a few cats can also cause quite a ruckus in the household in specific conditions.

If your cat has a naturally anxious and easily stressed temperament, you may be wondering if it’s possible to control your cat’s impulses and calm them down.

The good news? Your adorable little feline friend can become more assured of themselves with a few positive touches to the household. One of the most effective ways of doing just that is by putting them in a well-decorated and complete cat enclosure.

Cat enclosures, often shortened to “catios”, provide cats a cosy place where your pet can lounge and unwind with ease. The four walls of the cat enclosure, plus the open-air design of most catios, provide your cat with a feeling of control when they’re housed inside the enclosure.

So if you’re struggling with an aloof cat who’s facing some difficulty managing their surroundings, then you’re in the right place. This article will give you a rundown on why these enclosures are so effective in upholding your cat’s feeling of security, especially in chaotic households.

Let’s jump right into it.

Signs That Your Cat is Experiencing Stress

Domesticated cats tend to be independent and playful creatures. They tend to respond positively to their owner, and they generally keep themselves clean and well fed.

That said, cats can also have a wide range of personalities. Some may be timid and suspicious, whereas others can be more confident and adventurous. They tend to also retain that personality type for much of their life unless they’ve faced a major life-altering event.

While these life-changing moments can be positive, cats can also feel tested with negative experiences. For instance, being on the receiving end of a brutal cat fight, moving homes, and a death in the household can negatively influence your cat’s wellbeing.

Being vigilant of your cat’s temperament gives you a threshold to observe and work with whenever you spot changes in your cat’s behaviour. This is crucial as it gives you the confirmation you need to act upon the problem.

Some signs that your cat is facing major stress include the following:

• Appetite changes
• Sudden avoidance
• Overgrooming
• Aggression
• Not using litter boxes
• Restlessness
• Sudden sleep changes
• Excessive meowing
• Dilated pupils, puffed tails, and flat ears.

If your cat is showing signs of any of these habits or characteristics, that could be a sign that they’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed. In such cases, addressing the root cause and managing their behaviour should be the priority for every pet owner.

Pinpointing The Source of Cat Stress

Before resorting to any massive household changes, it’s essential to assess whether it’s possible to eliminate the stressor from your household. This starts by knowing what exactly could be causing your cat’s fear receptors to go off.

Here are some possible causes of why your cat may be feeling stressed or unsafe:

• Moving homes
• New furniture or decor
• Unfamiliar animals or people
• Hostile pets
• Lack of control and mobility
• Sudden or continuous loud noises
• Lack of stimulation
• Vet visits
• Illness 
• Pain
• Unclean litter box

Some stressors, such as moving to a new home or introducing new furniture, may be unavoidable, requiring the need for pet owners to perform proper disciplinary techniques to help their pet overcome their fear more effectively.

However, many of these stressors can be dealt with fairly easily. If your cat is understimulated? Simply provide toys as stimulation for your cats. Do they have a dirty litter box? Clean it. Are loud noises caused by a machine inside the house? Move your cat away from the sound source or shut down the machine when not in use.

By identifying the specific source of stress as a cat owner, you can take targeted steps to create a calmer, more reassuring environment for your cat. And if erasing the stressor isn’t enough to eliminate your cat’s feeling of stress, then other measures would need to be considered to help your cat’s condition improve, such as buying and setting up a cat enclosure.

Qualities of a Cat Enclosure

A cat enclosure has several features that make it a great addition to your cat-dwelling household. While it can initially serve as a way to manage your cat’s stress, it can also still be useful once your pet has fully moved on from its condition.

Here are some reasons why a cat enclosure is a worthwhile investment for any cat owner’s home.

• Escape-proof mechanics: Cat enclosures are built with sturdy locks, a hard metallic mesh panel, and ceiling and floor compartments that prevent cats from making a sneaky escape.
• Indoor and outdoor resilience: Cat enclosures can be placed both indoors and outdoors, allowing them to find utility in a wide variety of homes.
• Sturdy, weather-resistant materials: Cat enclosures from Somerzby are coated in weather-resistant paint and constructed using sturdy metal and wood materials. This makes it viable for use for years, if not decades.
• Multiple platforms and designs: Cat enclosures can be as big, spacious, and tall as you want them to be. Spacious variants support your cat’s desire to play, climb, and move around.
• Enrichment features: Cat enclosures can easily be fitted with tunnels, posts, toys, and kennels to keep your cat safe and stimulated while housed inside the enclosure.
• Visibility and ventilation: The gaps in the fences allow cats to see the world beyond the cage. It also allows air to flow in and out with no obstructions.
• Easy-to-assemble panels: These catios are designed with removable and wipeable parts for hassle-free installation, maintenance, and hygiene.
• Spacious interior: There’s enough room for your cat to move, roam, and go about their tasks comfortably.

As seen, catios aren’t just a temporary space for your cat to feel safe and secure. They provide a host of benefits that can significantly boost your pet’s quality of life.

Let’s take a look at specific reasons why cat enclosures can be of good use in a typical household.

How Cat Enclosures Help Cats Feel Safe

Enclosures are great for cats, but you may be wondering how exactly they help. Read below for some ways these structures can alleviate stress in cats.

1. Zones are a Personal Territory

Cats are naturally territorial. They want to have a space that they can exclusively call their own. A cat enclosure fulfils that need, as it’s a consistent area that your cat will soon come to realise is solely their own.

When a household is full of people and other pets, cats can feel overwhelmed and stressed from the various stressors. They may hide in corners or spaces that provide sensory refuge from humans and creatures as a way to hold control over their environment.

With a cat enclosure, they won’t have the mental burden of worrying about their next hiding spot or being bothered by others, as they know that they’re automatically secure within the space.

2. Blocks From Going in and Out

Cat enclosures, particularly outdoor catios, provide your cat a safe space to roam around while experiencing the breeze and the earth around them. This gives cat owners peace of mind knowing that their cat won’t escape easily. It also controls threats like predators from getting hold of your feline friend.

Furthermore, catios are also secure structures. With hazards like traffic, neighbourhood animals, and the rural dangers surrounding a typical household, the risks coming from these variables are virtually eliminated by keeping your cat in a catio. Plus, your cat will still be happy as they can feel and see the world around them without a window blocking their view.

3. Provides Routine

Much like dogs, cats form habits pretty quickly. They like doing things in a predictable pattern in their day-to-day lives. A cat enclosure supports that habit, especially if the pet owner is responsible for when he or she places their pet inside of it.

Inside the enclosure, your cat can learn different habits. For instance, they could pick up that they get fed as soon as they get inside the enclosure during the morning. They could also pick up that it’s toilet time when they’re asked to go out of the enclosure. Cats may also realise that guests may be on the way if they’re placed in an enclosure outside of their daily routine.

In any case, cats can develop a routine by training them with an enclosure. This organised routine can be calming for the pet, providing them with emotional balance and predictability that can remove their stress. 

4. Can Be Outfitted With Toys and Kennels

A cat enclosure isn’t only a safe space; it can also serve as a place for your pet to unwind and play. As a cat owner, you can place various pet toys and interactive elements inside the kennel to keep your cat stimulated both physically and mentally.

Cats, when bored, may lean towards destructive tendencies. Without a catio, they can relieve that itch by scratching up furniture and climbing kitchen counters. A catio gives them a dedicated space to keep them active and playful. This allows them to engage in play whenever they want without putting anyone in the household at risk of danger.

We hope we’ve clearly highlighted the benefits of owning a cat enclosure for your home. All the best in taking care of your pet!