How Much Space Do Cats Need?

​If you are thinking about owning a cat, you might be wondering how much space it might need. Whilst they do like to roam, they don’t actually require that much living space indoors.

That is because the more important factor is the actual layout of the room itself, rather than the amount of space they have to move in - afterall, a cat is quite happy to snuggle down on a fluffy blanket or scratch away at the side of the couch.

So long as you have places for your pet cat to feel safe, like places to hide, and things to climb on to, they will feel much happier and less stressed.

​Once the room is wide open and too spacious, they might feel like they have nowhere to go, despite all that room.

So, with all this in mind, let’s take a look at how much space a cat might need.

So, How Much Space Does A Cat Need To Be Happy?

On average, a single cat will need around 18 to 20 square feet of space to feel the most comfortable.
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However, there isn’t a solid rule that requires you to have a certain amount of Space.

So long as it is big enough to move freely, and that means for you and any other humans living there, then it should be enough space to house a happy cat.

However, do make sure that the more cats you have, the more square footage you have. Whilst cats don’t generally need a lot of space, they will need extra space if there are several cats.

Does Space Differ For An Indoor Or Outdoor Cat?

There isn’t much of a difference when it comes to either an indoor or outdoor cat. Both will spend time indoors, however the latter will also venture outside.

When it comes to the outside world, your cat will determine its own space.

This is because some cats like to venture far and wide to build up their own territories, whilst other cats like to stay local to home.

The ones that stay closer to home will likely need places to protect themselves from the sun in your backyard, as well as places to relax and sleep, after all, cats are nocturnal. 

Indoor cats however will need space, but not necessarily a lot of space.

So long as they can roam the room, or even a few rooms, with places to hide, sleep, and climb up on, they will be happy.

Should You Give Your Cat Its Own Room?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your cat having its own dedicated room. In fact, you can dress it up with lots of cat toys and places to climb and hide.

They also might appreciate the space away from everyone, as cats do like to have privacy.

Saying that, it also isn’t needed. Whilst it is nice to have a room for your cat if you are unsure what else to do with it, a cat will be just as happy sharing a room with the rest of the family.

What Should You Consider When It Comes To Space For A Cat?

When you have a cat, you should think about the space that they require, as well as the items that they might need.

It is unfair to think that all you need to do is bring the cat home and that is that. Here are a few things to think about when considering a home for a cat:

• Cats are animals who hunt prey. So make sure that you do not place your cat in a room where there is a hamster or fish - it also isn’t fair on your other pets too. Also, avoid having a cat in view of a bird feeder, they will go crazy every time they see the birds.
• It is important where to place furniture. The cats will see it as fun, and use it as a form of obstacle course, as well as somewhere for comfort.
• Make sure there are no drafts in the room from windows and doors, and keep fans from blowing where the cat is.
• Always give the option of hiding spaces for your cat. This could be anything from using a box, to having cupboards and tiny places. They will appreciate being able to hide away. 
• Also, make sure that the room(s) they are in are kept clean. They might be animals, but they are very clean.

Is There A Way A Cat Can Tell You They Require Extra Space?

Unfortunately, cats cannot tell you directly what they want, so you will have to guess.

Whilst there are some behaviors that might give you a clue as to whether your cat wants more space, it might just be normal cat behavior, or something else.

Even so, some of the ways cats might show you that they need new space include:

• Feeling uncomfortable around the room, finding places to try and hide all the time, or seeking freedom every time the door opens. 
• They might show aggressive behavior due to their living conditions.
• Grooming themselves excessively
• Marking their scent by not using the litter box

If any of these sound familiar, then try changing up the room, such as moving furniture to create extra space. You could also bring in something like a cat tree or some posts for them to scratch.

If you find that your room is small and there isn’t much you can do, a scratching post and things they can climb on should help.

Final Thoughts

Whilst you might think that a cat needs a lot of space, they actually don’t.

​So long as they have enough space to feel comfortable, as well as places to climb and hide, they should be quite happy.

In comparison, whilst you might think a big room is better, they are likely to feel more stressed due to the lack of spaces to hide and relax.