While it may seem unnecessary to lock up your kitty, there are some instances when keeping your cat in a pet crate overnight may be beneficial to you and your kitty. There are crates specifically designed for housing animals, and these range in material, size, and cost. The Nest provides us with a few tips about crating your cat at night.
When to Crate
There are a number of situations when crating your cat might be a good idea. In general, a happy, healthy, well-adjusted kitty shouldn’t need nightly crating.
If your kitten or cat is having difficulty making proper use of its litter box, it might be best to keep your cat in a crate at night while you train her to use the litter box. For ease of training, consider an self-cleaning litter box.
If your cat is ill and requires medication that is difficult to administer, a crate can be a useful way to confine and calm you cat while it isn’t feeling quite itself.
When bringing a new feline family member into the house, you may find that a crate will facilitate the transition and permit a more amiable getting-used-to-each-other period.
Many people also utilize crates to house adopted feral cats, as this can help tame and ease the cat into its new social environment.
Choosing the Right Crate
There is a distinct difference between a carrier and a crate. The small, dark, cramped carrier that you use to temporarily house your cat while transporting it to the veterinarian is not the same as a crate. Never use a cat carrier as a "bedroom" for your cat. A crate, similar to a kennel for dogs, is far more open, both for sight and air circulation.
Whether you choose the metal wire or nylon mesh variety, you should consider the necessary size for your cat. Though crates come in all sizes, you’ll probably want one that is intended to house a large dog, considering that you will need to have room for a litter box, a bed or blanket, some toys, and bowls for water and food.
A Room Just for Kitty
A crate that is left open can also serve as a place of refuge for a cat that is skittish around new people or even when your loving family cat needs a little alone time.
Keep it well stocked with a comfortable bed or comforter, a number of preferred toys, a litter box, and bowls for food and water. This crate can be your cat’s own personal space to relax.
So, if your cat is having a behavioral or medical issue, then a crate may be a necessary addition to your home. But if it’s just a matter of providing your kitty with a bit of privacy, then you may just be looking for cozy cat beds and furniture!
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