Like dogs, cats get bored, and while dogs might bark or chew the couch to show
frustration, your cat can become aggressive, reclusive and pester members of the
family at inappropriate hours.
Cats are designed to lead busy lives, hunting, scavenging and exploring. Not all
pet owners want to let their cats roam free, as they might get themselves into
trouble and kill native animals, so they think it’s responsible to shut up their cat
all day, but you need to provide some enrichment for your pet. Here are some
tips on how:
Like dogs, cats love a good toy. They love anything that dangles or wiggles
or stimulates their instinct to hunt. Head to your pet shop and look for
toys that mimic the movements of rodents or birds. There are some great
hi-tech toys that move or shoot lasers at unexpected intervals to engage
and delight cats.
Before heading out for the day, place some cardboard boxes, stiff (no-
plastic) shopping bags or bits of stiff paper around the home for your cat
to explore. Cat tunnels are also fantastic places hide in. Dripping water
and bowls of water (fill it with fake fish) are also fascinating to cats.
If your cat likes TV, invest in DVDs for cats – yes, they exist! – which
feature mice and birds. Fascinating!
Cats love watching birds. So place a bird feeder near a window and it will
keep your cat occupied for hours.
Feed your cat a few small meals a day rather than one large one at night.
If space allows, build a cat run outside – your cat will love watching the
wind in the tress or birds flying overhead.
Teach your cat to walk on a leash, so she can enjoy some safe, outdoor
adventure time.
You’ve probably noticed that your cat will seek out high spots to relax or
nap. That’s because cats live in a vertical world. She feels safe up on the
wardrobe. So keep your eye out for cat trees and other products that
provide places for your cat to jump up to and keep an eye on the world
below.
Your cat will also appreciate something to scratch. Scratching posts are a
good investment but there are all different types of scratching surfaces at
your local pet store. It’s worth looking into.
We forget that like dogs, most cats are social animals. If you spend a lot of
time out of the house, consider getting a mate for your little fur ball. It
might take a little time to introduce a new friend into the home but your
cat will thank you for it.
