Can You Have Two Cats in One Bedroom Apartment?

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Cats like freedom, and we’d like to give them as much space as possible. But sometimes, we have to move to a smaller place or get another cat in a small apartment, so we ask ourselves: can two cats live pleasantly in a one-bedroom apartment?

The answer is that two cats can easily share a bedroom without any problems, especially if they’re from the same litter, as long as you can provide them with enough enrichment. If they’re not siblings, introduce them slowly and keep them separate as they adjust.

Lack of space should never be an issue if you provide enough enrichment for the cats and utilize your area well, as indoor cats can be just as happy as outdoor ones.

Can Two Cats Share One Bedroom Comfortably?

Like many other semi-domesticated animals, house cats have the advantage of being self-sufficient. Even if you’re relocating to a new apartment, they’ll adjust quickly and will usually be fine.

It’s quite common for two cats to share one bedroom in comfort, but getting two cats who get along is your best bet. Otherwise, try to keep them apart in their own territory until they can adjust to their new surroundings.

While it is often impossible to have three litter boxes in a small area, as is recommended for two cats, you could get away with just two if you clean them regularly.

If the cats are unfamiliar with one another, having a room with a door where you can separate them is your best option for making the cats feel more at ease with their own territories. You can also achieve more room for them by spreading out their food bowls and beds.

You can expand the space in many ways.

You can mount cat perch or cat wall shelves on the walls for them to climb and sleep on. As a result, you can make more room by expanding your space vertically. Cats adore these shelves and will be delighted with them.

For those in studio apartments with limited floor space, hanging toy modules on these vertical installations can offer dynamic play zones without taking up additional room.

A cat tree is another excellent option. Cats are naturally both predators and prey, and sitting in this high area of a cat tree/perch provides an overview of their territory and a sense of safety in their own space.

Moreover, for those with two cats in a studio apartment, consider the integration of interactive toys that require both cats to collaborate. This not only occupies them but also encourages a bond in tighter spaces.

Even if you only have one bedroom, remember that you can always create space on the walls to keep them entertained.

Is It Cruel to Have Two Cats in a Studio Apartment?

The key to living comfortably with two cats in a small studio apartment is to use the space’s height to give them more surface area. This, along with some toys, will be humane, and your cats will live happy lives.

I’ve shared a studio apartment with two cats for three years, and I think they’ve always been content, primarily since I built them some vertical shelves to perch on.

It will take some thinking, but it is possible to keep them happy by changing the environment a bit.

Keep food and water stations separate, as well as litterboxes. To keep the smell at bay, you should wash the litterboxes regularly. A pet-friendly air-purifier is a good option here, to tackle airborne litter dust and dander.

If you have windows, I recommend attaching suction cup ledges so the cats have something to look at while you’re away. Otherwise, in smaller apartments, maximizing vertical space is the best thing you can do for them.

How Much Space Do You Need for Two Cats?

Typically, you will require 18 square feet of space for each cat you intend to keep, which makes at least 36 square feet of space if you have two cats. However, square footage is less important than vertical space.

When it comes to cats, vertical space is more valuable than horizontal space. They are semi-arboreal animals that feel safe when they can gain the upper hand. So no matter how much square footage you have, they’ll be fine if you give them places to climb.

Obviously, more space is preferable, but they can live comfortably in a smaller apartment if you can expand their territory vertically. Cat trees, shelves, and furniture strategically placed to create a kitty highway will make small rooms appear much larger than they are.

Are Cats Happier When There’s Two of Them?

While some cats prefer to be alone, it is now widely accepted that cats like to be in bonded pairs, especially when they are kittens. Cats may miss out on critical social skills learned from their peers if they do not have siblings or friends when they are kittens.

Two cats can keep each other company and have enough fun while you are away. However, it is preferable to have one cat for which you know you have the time, money, and energy than to have two cats and be concerned about finances.

FAQs

Is it cruel to confine cats to a single room?

It is okay for a cat to live in a single room as long as you use some vertical space, and they always have food, water, a regularly cleaned litterbox, and toys to play with. Make sure the room has a window, that they are not always isolated from everyone, and that you regularly give your cat some affection.

Confining a cat in a room for punishment is never a good idea and is considered cruel.

Are cats happy in small apartments?

Cats can live happily in apartments because what matters is not the space size but how much enrichment and attention they receive. While some cats are used to large houses and being outside, and moving them to smaller apartments is confining, many cats are content in smaller spaces.

Are cats hard to keep in small apartments?

Cats can be just as calm and easy to care for in a small house if you provide the necessary enrichment. As a result, ensure they have daily affection, a litterbox, food, water, and enrichment toys to play with when you’re not there.