In these gray, cold, winter months, we’re always looking for ways to lighten up our spirits. We should also keep our cats’ well being in mind. Cats are intelligent, athletic creatures, always looking for physically and mentally stimulating activities. When cats don’t have these, their attention turns to activities of their own choosing that we tend to think of as “bad behaviors”.
Case in point: Have you ever caught your cat chewing or scratching something like your favorite upholstered chair? Bad behavior = BOREDOM!
Here’s how you can make sure your cat has plenty of great things to do.
- Provide a variety of ways for your cat to explore. Cats love discovering new places and objects. They love smaller, stimulating toys. There are smaller toys you can lay around the house, such as catnip-infused toys, with feathers, strings, corrugated cardboard, suede and other safe, chewable and kickable parts.
Then there are the interactive toys, automated toys designed to be activated by your cats, using their own curiosity and intellect. Some of these toys can be suspended on doors, such as the Fling-ama-String, Play N Squeak Batting Practice, or the Tiger Mobile toy. Others lie flat on the floor, with balls and other moving parts, such as our Cat Hurricane, Peek N Prize, Cats Meow Undercover toy and Kitty Go Round toy.
- Provide your cats access to levels other than just the floor. Cats love climbing to high places and feeling like they are “in charge” of their environment. Having a higher vantage point for your cats to watch the great outdoors (safely) or observe indoor goings-on provides hours of entertainment. Cat trees and cat window perches are great solutions. Place cat trees by windows for your cats’ optimal viewing pleasure. SIDE BENEFIT: Cat trees are made with scratch-able materials such as sisal. They really do use these vertical scratching surfaces, and it helps to keep them from scratching that favorite upholstered chair.
- Provide hideaways for your cat. Cats love discovering places to hide. Think of times when you’ve had to search for your cat, only to find him under the bed, behind the furnace, or in other unfortunate places. Invest in a cat condo that is designed especially to meet the privacy needs of your cats. You’ll be able to find them as well!
- Play with your cat. In your cat’s mind, it’s their favorite
kind of play. During daily play sessions with you, your cat can enjoy a greater degree of intellectual stimulation and aerobic activity. In particular, consider activities that allow your cat to exercise her hunting instincts. Toys that resemble prey, such as mice and birds, are ideal. Wand toys offer a perfect way for you to lure your cat into “the thrill of the chase”.
We’ve also taught our cats some fun tricks, such as fetching toy balls. The toy ball should be light weight and small, such as a Loopies toy or a tinsel mouse. Reward your cats with their favorite treats to encourage repetition.
Now, go make your cat happy!
These are excellent suggestions at all times of the year. Keep your cats happy and healthy and not only will you be happy, you’ll be getting exercise which is good for you!
Thanks, it’s true, interactive play with your cat is beneficial for the two of you! CatBlogger
I love playing with Sam, my older Maine Coon, and try to keep him “happy and healthy” as much as possible! Building on his natural instinct to forage for food (if he lived outdoors, which he does not) and also his tenacious nature (as in, “there must be a way to open this shower door so I can talk with the person inside!”), I decided to try a variation of the idea behind those commercial “food toys.” A few weeks ago, I placed a some kibbles of Sam’s favorite dry food on an upholstered bench he passes every day, making sure he was watching me. At first he looked at me as if I had suddenly lost track of his food dish. But then, he walked to the bench, reached up, knocked the food off of the seat and ate it. Over the next few days, to my surprise, he seemed to be checking that bench every time he passed by, eating any kibbles he found. I decided we should branch out a bit. I “hid” a few morsels in various other places, even when he wasn’t watching. Now, as he wanders through the house, he “hunts” at the same time, grunting with satisfaction when he finds something. Of course, we humans must be prepared to find an undiscovered morsel or two under a sofa pillow once in a while! But it’s worth the effort to see Sam engaged in something new and fun.
“Hide and go seek” play of this kind must be stimulating for Sam. Thanks for the tip! CatBlogger