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CAT TERRITORY TIPS
For cats, their living environment - or territory - is everything. Here’s our quick and simple guide we created with our favorite cat behaviorist on how to best approach adding new items like beds or scratchers into your cat’s household (yep, it’s their home – we just live in it).
TIP #1:
TAKE IT SLOW

As creatures who live by their territory, many cats are cautious at first about new additions to their homes, even when they are things that later make them very happy.

  • Your cat’s primary territory includes the spaces they spend the most time in: the places they sleep, play, eat, scratch, and relax in.
  • To start, set the new product on the floor near the entry of your home for a day or two. Let them approach and check it out on their own before you put it in their primary territory.
  • Never physically set your cat on the product or force them to engage with it in any way.
  • We have observed cats take as little as 1 day, or up to 4-6 weeks to explore and then begin enjoying new furniture, beds, scratchers, or other products they later use daily. Many times, the thing they initially ignore becomes their favorite thing to use for months and years to come.

As creatures who live by their territory, many cats are cautious at first about new additions to their homes, even when they are things that later make them very happy.

  • Your cat’s primary territory includes the spaces they spend the most time in: the places they sleep, play, eat, scratch, and relax in.
  • To start, set the new product on the floor near the entry of your home for a day or two. Let them approach and check it out on their own before you put it in their primary territory.
  • Never physically set your cat on the product or force them to engage with it in any way.
  • We have observed cats take as little as 1 day, or up to 4-6 weeks to explore and then begin enjoying new furniture, beds, scratchers, or other products they later use daily. Many times, the thing they initially ignore becomes their favorite thing to use for months and years to come.
TIP #2:
PLACEMENT IS KEY

For cats, the where can often be more important than the what - meaning, if your cat doesn’t engage with something at first, they might love using it in another spot.

  • Try the product in different locations in your home to understand more about your cat’s preferences and to see what they like best. You may even notice seasonal patterns in your cats’ choices – as they follow warm spots and sunbeams in the winter, or seek out cool, smooth surfaces in the summer.
  • If you have a window in your home or other vantage point that provides stimulation, try putting the product nearby if possible. Place scratchers near those tempting spots on furniture or curtains, and soft beds on places like sofas or armchairs so they’re elevated off the floor. Be aware of senior pets who might struggle to climb up to, or in and out of something, so aim to give them as easy of access as possible.
  • In multi-cat households, cats often stake out their own preferred spots, but sometimes conflicts arise when competing for resources. In this case, the resources might be coveted areas for sleep or play, especially since items like beds and scratchers absorb scent from cat paws, cheeks and heads. Aim to offer at least one bed per cat when possible, and ideally in different areas of the home territory.
  • Cats prefer having vantage points with 360 views with multiple escape routes when possible. Avoid putting any product in a spot that is too closed-off or confining, like a tight corner, closet or nook.

For cats, the where can often be more important than the what - meaning, if your cat doesn’t engage with something at first, they might love using it in another spot.

  • Try the product in different locations in your home to understand more about your cat’s preferences and to see what they like best. You may even notice seasonal patterns in your cats’ choices – as they follow warm spots and sunbeams in the winter, or seek out cool, smooth surfaces in the summer.
  • If you have a window in your home or other vantage point that provides stimulation, try putting the product nearby if possible. Place scratchers near those tempting spots on furniture or curtains, and soft beds on places like sofas or armchairs so they’re elevated off the floor. Be aware of senior pets who might struggle to climb up to, or in and out of something, so aim to give them as easy of access as possible.
  • In multi-cat households, cats often stake out their own preferred spots, but sometimes conflicts arise when competing for resources. In this case, the resources might be coveted areas for sleep or play, especially since items like beds and scratchers absorb scent from cat paws, cheeks and heads. Aim to offer at least one bed per cat when possible, and ideally in different areas of the home territory.
  • Cats prefer having vantage points with 360 views with multiple escape routes when possible. Avoid putting any product in a spot that is too closed-off or confining, like a tight corner, closet or nook.
TIP 3:
WORK WITHIN FAMILIARITY

A good rule of thumb is to try to put things where your cat already does that behavior. For example, a new bed can upgrade a favorite floor napping spot near the heater.

  • As part of the introduction process, try incorporating things your own cat already loves. Sprinkle on some catnip or treats, or place their favorite toys on or near the item. Move a toy across the product to make sound or capture your cat’s interest.
  • Some cats may prefer hangout spots near their people, so try setting things up next to your WFH desk, beside the sofa or in view of the kitchen, or in quieter low-traffic locations like near your bed.
  • If the new product is physically near you or associated with you, it will be welcomed more warmly. Try placing worn laundry on top of a bed or rub it along a scratcher to help new items feel more like “home.”
  • Demonstrate our cardboard scratchers for your cat by scratching your own nails across it a few times (human claws only - no moving your cat’s paws on it!). This weirdly works every time with both of my cats…and as a bonus, I get to “be” a cat with them for a few fleeting moments. :)

A good rule of thumb is to try to put things where your cat already does that behavior. For example, a new bed can upgrade a favorite floor napping spot near the heater.

  • As part of the introduction process, try incorporating things your own cat already loves. Sprinkle on some catnip or treats, or place their favorite toys on or near the item. Move a toy across the product to make sound or capture your cat’s interest.
  • Some cats may prefer hangout spots near their people, so try setting things up next to your WFH desk, beside the sofa or in view of the kitchen, or in quieter low-traffic locations like near your bed.
  • If the new product is physically near you or associated with you, it will be welcomed more warmly. Try placing worn laundry on top of a bed or rub it along a scratcher to help new items feel more like “home.”
  • Demonstrate our cardboard scratchers for your cat by scratching your own nails across it a few times (human claws only - no moving your cat’s paws on it!). This weirdly works every time with both of my cats…and as a bonus, I get to “be” a cat with them for a few fleeting moments. :)
TIP #4:
EVERY CAT IS INDIVIDUAL

We know you know this, but every cat is different. While some cats like to tuck away in hidden nooks of the house (like our own Marmite), others like to be in the center of the room (like our Stella). Some love being way up high, some never even venture up onto the kitchen counter (they’re missing out).

  • Some cats may also shift their preferences over time while using a familiar item. For example, one of our earliest product testers, Oslo, used both styles of our scratchers from day one and they quickly became his favorite napping and hangout spots, but he didn’t scratch them for 8 months (!). Now daily scratching on them is a big part of his daily routine.
  • Their preferences may evolve for other reasons, like health limitations. Senior kittty Stella used to prefer napping on top of a stack of scratchers by a window, but with her arthritis pain acting up, she now primarily opts for soft beds on the ground.
  • Change is good: to provide stimulation and prevent boredom, switch up the location of lesser used items, or re-position them so they can be used in a new way. Refresh toys and objects by putting them away for a time, and then rotate them back in so they feel interesting and fresh.
  • We love our cats for all their unique quirks, and know that no two cats are alike. At Wildcat, we design products with built-in versatility so your cat can use them in the ways that fit their own personality and daily lifestyle, whatever that may be.

    If you’ve tried all of the above and still need some guidance, reach out at stella@wearewildcat.com and we’ll do our best to help!

We know you know this, but every cat is different. While some cats like to tuck away in hidden nooks of the house (like our own Marmite), others like to be in the center of the room (like our Stella). Some love being way up high, some never even venture up onto the kitchen counter (they’re missing out).

  • Some cats may also shift their preferences over time while using a familiar item. For example, one of our earliest product testers, Oslo, used both styles of our scratchers from day one and they quickly became his favorite napping and hangout spots, but he didn’t scratch them for 8 months (!). Now daily scratching on them is a big part of his daily routine.
  • Their preferences may evolve for other reasons, like health limitations. Senior kittty Stella used to prefer napping on top of a stack of scratchers by a window, but with her arthritis pain acting up, she now primarily opts for soft beds on the ground.
  • Change is good: to provide stimulation and prevent boredom, switch up the location of lesser used items, or re-position them so they can be used in a new way. Refresh toys and objects by putting them away for a time, and then rotate them back in so they feel interesting and fresh.
  • We love our cats for all their unique quirks, and know that no two cats are alike. At Wildcat, we design products with built-in versatility so your cat can use them in the ways that fit their own personality and daily lifestyle, whatever that may be.

    If you’ve tried all of the above and still need some guidance, reach out at stella@wearewildcat.com and we’ll do our best to help!