Creating cat contentment
Because cats are so independent, people often forget they need playtime, interaction with people and mental stimulation to feel happy and safe in their homes. Here are five tips for helping your indoor cat reach feline nirvana.
Play with your cats every day. Not many people play with their cats, but they should. Play for cats is not a game of fetch but an extension of their hunting behaviors. Spend a minimum of 10 minutes twice a day letting your cat chase a feathered lure or bat around a make-believe insect on the end of a wire toy.
Cats also love chasing laser lights and pushing around small balls, bits of wadded paper and tiny stuffed toys across the floor. Some cats respond well to catnip toys, resulting in a tuckered-out cat 15 minutes later. Cats with less pent-up energy are happy, physically and mentally fit, and more likely to sleep through the night.
Buy a scratching post and then teach your cats how to use it. Spray feline pheromones on it and leave little treats on the base to encourage them to use it. When they do use it, reward them with their favorite highvalue treat.
Cats are smart and will catch on quickly. (Teaching them to not use the couch is a different story.)
Consider getting a tall cat tree with a plethora of scratching places, hidey holes and perches. Cats love cozy, elevated places.
Give them some “cat TV.” Cats love the outside world, but it’s not safe for them to wander around in it. So set up bird feeders outside a window, patio or catio they can easily access.
When they discover their “cat TV,” they will likely spend a better part of their day bird-watching. There also are DVDS and streaming bird shows you can play on your real television for them. Some cats respond to TV, some don’t.
Create a hiding place. Cats need to feel safe to be happy, and that means a place where they feel comfortable hiding. The more scared your cat, the more hiding places your cat will need.
Place empty cardboard boxes and snuggly cavelike beds around the house. Leave a closet door open or remove items from under a bed so your cat has some out-of-the-way places to hide when it needs time alone. Maybe adopt a second cat. Notice I said “maybe.” While some cats prefer solitude, many thrive on the company of other felines.
Don’t go overboard adopting cats. Too many cats in a home sometimes results in territorial issues that can lead to a stressed cat not using the litter box or being unable to get close to you for attention. That makes for one unhappy cat. Keep your family to just a few felines and everyone will be happier.
Send your pet questions, tips, and stories to cathy@petpundit.com. Read the Animals Matter blog at http://blog.mysanantonio .com/animals and follow her at @cathymrosenthal.