What to do if you buy a new cat nest but your cat doesn't like using it?
If you are a cat owner, I wonder if you have ever encountered the following situation: you feel that your cat's nest (including cat houses, cat climbing frames, etc.) is small, worn out, and old, and you want to buy a new, bigger and better one. So, you go to a lot of trouble to buy a big, soft, and beautiful one, and when you put the nest in front of your cat with great joy, it lowers its head, smells it curiously, and then turns around and goes back to the "old and broken" nest. Does the cat not like the new nest? Or is there something wrong?
The reason why a cat does not use a new nest is not necessarily that it does not like it, but that as cat owners we are used to seeing things from a human perspective rather than that of a cat. Think about it from a different perspective and maybe the solution will come. Here are some tips and tricks to help your cat understand the owner's good intentions and eventually use the "precious gift" you gave it. Let's take a look at them together!
I.Make the cat nest more attractive
Putting some of your cat's favorite snacks or sprinkling some fresh catnip in the new nest can effectively lure fussy cats into the new nest. Catnip can stimulate your cat's interest in new things and can also encourage them to play and roll around. An added benefit is that after enjoying the catnip, cats tend to curl up and take a nap, which is when they are more likely to choose a new nest!
If your cat is already in a new nest, gently pet it, and give it some goodies. If she doesn't want to, don't force her to get down or lie down in the new nest, as this will only cause her to not like the new nest. You can make the same attempt later to attract it to continue to come to the new nest.
Many cats are very sensitive to their own scent as well as their owner's scent, and these scents will make them feel relaxed and secure. Try putting an old piece of clothing you have worn with your scent in the new nest, or a mat or blanket that your cat usually particularly likes to use, these scents will make it easier for cats to enter the new nest.
II.Location is important
Place the new cat nest in a place where the cat usually goes to sleep so that it is more likely to use it. For those cats that usually always like to sleep in high places, try placing the new nest on furniture, such as a bookshelf or windowsill, or on the highest level of a cat climbing frame. Some cats also like to sleep in a warm and sunny place, which is also a good place to place a new cat nest.
III.Choose the right cat nest
When choosing a new nest for your cat, please pay attention to your cat's usual sleeping habits and sleeping style to make sure you can find the right one.
If your cat always likes to stretch out when it sleeps, the nest must be large enough to allow it to stretch out as much as it wants. Consider a flat, rectangular nest with lower edges so your cat can stretch out easily.
If your cat prefers to sleep in a "safer" place, such as under your bed or hidden in a closet, choose a covered den-like nest or one with higher edges.
If your cat is older, consider the kind of nest with heating and warmth that older cats with joint problems will appreciate.
If your cat likes to sleep curled up in a ball, a rounder, softer nest may be more suitable so that she can snuggle into the nest and the raised edges of the nest can help maintain body heat.
IV.What to do if your cat sleeps where it shouldn't？
If your cat sleeps on your clothes, bed, or other furniture, and you don't like a lot of cat hair on your clothes, use safer and harmless methods to get your cat out of the way so they are more likely to sleep back in their nest. The following methods are for reference.
Use orange peel or lemon peel in water, or you can use a moderate amount of vinegar in water to make a natural spray to spray areas where you do not want your cat to sleep or scratch, most cats do not like the smell and will avoid it. These sprays are natural and harmless to both humans and cats. Try not to use various essential oils, because some of them are known to be toxic to cats. Also, be careful: never spray your cat directly.
Use physical barriers such as fences and screens to prevent your cat from entering those "off-limits" areas you request, or close the doors to rooms you do not want your cat to enter.
The use of tools such as cat scratching boards and cat scratching sticks can effectively prevent your cat from scratching furniture. At the same time, you can use "anti-scratch door stickers", "anti-scratch wall stickers", "anti-scratch protection stickers" and other tools to protect the key parts.
Of course, although the above measures can be effective in helping cats to accept a new nest, they are also a hang-up. Has your cat encountered a similar situation, and what did you use to finally succeed in solving it? Feel free to share in the comments section!
