Downsizing with Cats: How to Help Them Adjust to a Smaller Apartment

Cats are notoriously bad at adapting to change. When I knew I’d be moving from a suburban, two-bedroom townhouse with a basement to an urban, one-bedroom apartment, I knew that like me, my cats would have a hard time losing so much space. It took us awhile, but my cats and I finally figured out some ways to make them happier. If you find yourself moving into a smaller apartment instead of a bigger one, here are some things you can do to help your cats adjust to having less space.

Get rid of your excess furniture.

You’re downsizing your living space, so it makes sense to get rid of the stuff you don’t need. When it comes to square footage, nothing you own will take up as much space as your furniture. Keep only the necessities, and your cats will thank you.

In addition, you might want to consider furniture that collapses and can be put away until you’re actually using it. For example, I have a couple of folding card tables that function as a workstation for painting and other art projects. I unfold the card tables when I need them, but otherwise I just leave the space open for the cats to run around in.

The more open spaces you can create in your apartment, the less your cats will mind moving to a smaller apartment. Your cats are used to having a certain amount of space to play in, and it’s important that you take their exercise need into consideration when arranging your furniture.

Keep your furniture cat-friendly.

Because you and your cats are moving to a smaller apartment, it makes sense to have furniture that you can all use. Think twice about trying to hang onto that antique couch your cats aren’t allowed to sit on; that’s keeping them out of 20 square feet of their home.

If you can find furniture that has open space underneath for your cats, that’s even better. In a smaller apartment, every inch counts. If your cats can lounge on the furniture and play underneath, you’re essentially doubling their territory in that part of your apartment.

Choose an apartment with an open layout.

Sometimes layout matters more than actual square footage. A two-bedroom apartment with small rooms that are closed off from one another probably isn’t as healthy for your cats as a one-bedroom apartment with a large living room attached to a galley kitchen. When you look at apartments, look for long stretches of floor where your cats can run without crashing into walls.

Create vertical space for your cats.

Much like choosing furniture that your cats can play underneath, think about ways you can create alternative spaces for your cats to play. Conventional cat furniture (like the kind you can buy at a pet store) works wonders for giving your cats vertical play space.

Consider arranging your bookshelves, desks, dressers, nightstands, and end tables in a pattern so your cats can jump from one to the next. Putting three bookshelves in ascending height order in a row against your wall is a good example of how this works. If you’re going to have the furniture, you might as well set it up so your cats can play on it.

If you’re handy and your landlord doesn’t mind, consider building a catwalk near your ceiling. It can be as simple as a couple of shelves your cats have access to, or as complicated as a maze that stretches the length of your apartment.

Make alternative rooms for your cats.

Your new apartment may be smaller, but there are all kinds of neat places your cats will want to explore. Keep your closet doors open and some of your cupboards empty for your cats to make new “rooms” out of. This will also help your cats carve out new personal territories for when they want to be left alone.