STRATEGIES TO HELP PULL A CAT OUT OF A DEPRESSED STATE

#1 CREATE A SAFE AND STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT: Cats thrive in environments that provide mental and physical stimulation. Ensure your home offers plenty of hiding spots, scratching posts, toys, and perching areas for your cat to explore. Consider rotating toys and introducing interactive play sessions to engage their senses. Cats are one of the species that hunt a variety of prey and experience many different types of terrain. It’s important to create this variety with your cat’s indoor home environment.

#2 ESTABLISH A ROUTINE: Cats are creatures of habit. Establishing a consistent daily routine for feeding, playtime, grooming, and cuddles can provide a sense of security and stability, reducing stress and anxiety.

#3 ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES: Engage a cat’s natural instincts through interactive play sessions. Use toys that mimic prey, such as wanded feather toys or battery-operated toys that hide like real prey, to encourage exercise and mental stimulation. Puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys can also provide mental enrichment.

#4 CONSIDER A FELINE COMPANION: Cats instinctively have a huge social repertoire with other cats. Adding another cat to the home can provide both enrichment and companionship.

#5 PROVIDE VERTICAL SPACE: Cats love to climb and perch in high places. Install cat trees or shelves to allow your cat to observe their surroundings from an elevated position. This not only provides a sense of security but also offers mental stimulation (see page 60 for vertical space solutions).

#6 BONDING AND AFFECTION: Spend quality time bonding with your cat daily. Petting, brushing, and interactive play. Positive reinforcement training like clicker training can also strengthen the bond between you and your cat.

#7 ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT: Incorporate elements that mimic the outdoor environment, such as a window perch with a view or a bird feeder or bird bath outside the window. These can provide visual stimulation, reducing boredom and promoting overall well-being.

#8 CAT PHEROMONE THERAPY: Consider using cat pheromone diffusers or sprays specifically designed for cats to decrease stress and create a sense of calm and safety.