Cat Runs for Apartments: Is It Possible?
Cats make excellent apartment pets. Not only do they instinctively look after themselves and keep themselves clean, but they’re also fairly low-maintenance and pleasant to be around.
That said, keeping a cat happy is a task that’s often wholly underestimated. Not only do you have to look after their food needs, but you also have to ensure that your home is equipped with all the things that make them happy.
One particular addition that every apartment-owning cat owner should consider is a cat run. A cat run is a secure mesh enclosure where your cat can lounge, climb, and explore to their heart’s content without being at direct risk of any real hazards or dangers.
Cat runs are commonly installed in spacious yards and lawns, typically in households owned by the pet owner. Due to a cat run’s large size and cut-out, it’s quite uncommon for cat runs to be placed in apartment complexes, particularly indoors.
Does that mean it’s downright impossible for apartment dwellers to set up a cat run for their feline friend? Well, not really. There are solutions, but resourcefulness is key to ensure that apartment tenants can transform their tiny space into a place their cat can thoroughly enjoy.
If you’re looking for some tips and are willing to put in the legwork, then you’re in the right place. We’ll give you some insights on how you can set up a viable cat run in your apartment. Let’s get right into it.
How to Make A Cat Run in Your Apartment Work
As previously mentioned, setting up a cat run in a compact apartment building is possible. But it’s not going to be a walk in the park. Here are five steps you must consider to make a cat run a worthwhile addition to your space.
1. Consider Your Cat’s Personality
Each cat has a different personality, and it’s important to recognise this when planning the cat run you intend to build or buy for your furry one.
Some cats are full of energy, zooming around and unable to stay still for more than a few minutes. Others are more docile and relaxed, completely satisfied with a compact setup with its favourite comfort toy and a food bowl.
In any case, it’s important to build your cat run around your cat’s personality. Pay attention to how your cat reacts in its current environment. See if they have preferences or habits, and try to incorporate that when building or prototyping your cat run.
By taking this step, your cat’s run won’t end up collecting dust, but it’ll instead be used as a legitimate place that your cat enjoys going back to every day.
2. Assess Outdoor Viability
Let’s make matters clear: It’s indeed possible to set up a cat run in an apartment.
You can opt for either an indoor or an outdoor setup, but outdoor setups are typically the most preferred choice. This is because outdoor setups tend to be the most spacious and forgiving in terms of meeting space requirements. They also grant the cat access to the world beyond the four walls of the apartment, which can be a stimulating and satisfactory sensory experience for them.
When choosing an outdoor cat run, consider the space you have available. Some landlords won’t allow you to use public areas for your personal use, so be sure to contact them and get the clear for your project first. It’s important to respect building regulations first and foremost, as breaking the rules can be quite stressful for you and your cat.
If you do have a space in your outdoor lot to work with, be sure that your cat run can be assembled into the space with no issue. The good news is that Somerzby and many other retailers offer cat runs of different sizes to fit a wide range of space arrangements.
And beyond that, be sure that the space is an overall pleasant experience for your cat. You wouldn’t want them to be stuck in an overly damp environment, a noisy construction zone, or a place with no shade or protection against extreme weather conditions, to name a few.
By weighing these factors, you rest easy knowing that you can indeed plot your cat run into the space.
3. Choose the Right Cat Run
There are different types of cat runs available in the market, and they can look vastly different to one another.
For instance, Somerzby offers large cat runs that are three times the size of standard-sized cat runs. The extra space provides owners the flexibility to decorate and design the space however they want or hold more cats, but of course, they’d need extra space in the backyard to ensure that this cat run can be properly set up.
There are also more compact and modular cat run designs that don’t take up too much space. Some of them can be installed as a standalone structure or as an extension to a space, once again granting pet owners the flexibility to assemble this structure to their liking.
In any case, each cat run has the fundamental structure that keeps cats safe: sturdy rot-resistant frames, weather-resistant mesh, and a durable net. Whether your outdoor space is a tiny balcony or a wide-open backyard, there’s bound to be a cat run that suits your cat’s lifestyle and aligns well with your apartment’s rules. You just need to know where to look.
4. Maximise Limited Space for Your Cat Run
When renting an apartment, it’s crucial for tenants to find ways to maximise the space inside for practical reasons. This is especially true if you own a pet cat and want to ensure that it’s happy living inside your apartment.
If you’re having difficulty maximising space in your apartment, here are a few solutions. You can consider building your cat run upwards and into the ceiling of the apartment. This way, your cat can enjoy jumping and climbing without obstructing the mobility underneath in the main area of the apartment.
You can also consider buying a modular cat run that you can move around freely. This way, you’ll have the flexibility to bring the cat run outdoors for your cat to play under the sun supervised or keep it inside the apartment for indoor play or later use.
Another way to maximise your apartment’s space is by simply buying a cat run extension and setting it up by a window. This way, your cat can get its nature fix without needing to step out of the house and putting itself at risk. In any case, there are many ways you can get create space for your cat run—you just have to be strategic and creative in your process.
5. Maintain and Decorate The Cat Run
A surprise to no one, but it has to be said: Being an apartment tenant doesn’t exempt you from clean-up duties. This is especially true if you own a cat run, as unlike cats, this structure isn’t going to clean itself.
As such, make it a habit to clean up the cat run regularly. Remove fur, scattered dirt, and other small particles from the cat run to keep it spotless and cosy for your pet. Moreover, wipe down the netting and wood panels to prevent dust and dirt from building up.
Aside from that, you should also make the space feel like an inviting sanctuary for your cat. Add decorative items like cushions and food bowls to get your cat feeling cosy. Moreover, you should also add toys and mentally stimulating items like scratching posts and climbing shelves for an entertaining touch to the space.
By giving your cat run some love and thoughtfulness, you can transform it into a place that your cat will truly appreciate—no matter how small or limited it may be.
We hope these tips will serve you well when planning out your next cat run purchase!
