Ensure a safe and predictable environment

Another consequence of the cat's evolution as a solitary hunter is that she must constantly stay on guard, both to catch prey and to avoid larger predators that might be after her.

That's why a cat attaches great importance to a safe, predictable and recognisable environment with enough eating, drinking and litter box locations, spread throughout the environment so she can always make the best choice for herself.

TIP 1 - Safety above all

Cats constantly want to keep themselves safe. That's why it's important to spread enough locations of essential resources (food, water, litter boxes, hiding spots, heights, scratching spots) throughout your house, so your cat can choose the safest option for herself that meets her natural needs.

The general rule here is your number of cats + 1 locations for food, water, and litter boxes, spread throughout your house.

TIP 2 - Predictability

Cats love a predictable environment, where they can observe reliable signals that predict both pleasant and less pleasant things.

For example, you can teach your cat a signal that means she'll get wet food, that the vacuum cleaner is about to come out, that playtime is happening, etc. This way cats learn to anticipate what's going to happen instead of being suddenly surprised by it.

TIP 3 - Recognisability

Cats love recognisability, which is why they spend all day depositing their body scents in the environment through head-bunting and scratching. This serves the important function of making the environment recognisable for the next time they pass by.

So try to leave as many things in the house as possible in place and avoid moving them, and keep doors either open or closed consistently.