The secret to a happy
cat home depends on your cat’s personality and the types environmental
enrichment opportunities you provide.
For indoor cats to be happy, they need some simple things to make them feel active, secure and safe. For example, you need some lovely little places high up for cats to climb and hide, some special beds, some scratching posts and more.
For indoor cats to be happy, they need some simple things to make them feel active, secure and safe. For example, you need some lovely little places high up for cats to climb and hide, some special beds, some scratching posts and more.
Cats,
especially indoor cats, need stimulation and recreation to maintain their good
mental health. This is often referred to as "environmental enrichment or
environmental enhancements".
So, what does that mean exactly? It means that for some cats to be "happy" and to minimize behavioral problems of indoor cats or multi-cat environments, it is important that your cat have plenty of toys, places to hide, perch, sleep, places or things to "scratch", things to "watch", and opportunities to play. It is also important that cats have a place that they perceive as safe to eat, drink and eliminate.
This can be accomplished by providing an environment with cat trees, perches, bags, beds, toys, and trusted spots to sleep, eat and use the litter box.
Refuge
Small refuges where cats feel save can be as simple as paper bags or cardboard boxes. Places to hide may be a favorite box under the bed, a pet taxi or carrier behind a chair, or on a towel on top of a dresser. Cats tend to prefer to be high were they can constantly assess their environment. They prefer to sleep and rest in areas where they feel safe and are comfortable.
In households with other cats or dogs, it is important that they cats be able to get away from the dog if they want to. This is especially true for litter box and food placement. They should be able to eat and eliminate without being bothered by dogs or other cats.
Cat Furniture or Perches
Some authorities estimate that cats need about 500 square feet per cat to minimize behavioral problems. One way to help make a cat's environment richer, bigger, and safer is to give them some extra vertical places. Perches are simply a high area with a view or vantage point.
Cats love to climb and high places make them feel secure. From a high spot, cats can watch their environment and identify both prey and predator. Although your cat may be indoors only and out of reach of prey or predator, cats don't lose this instinct. Cats feel most vulnerable when they sleep and generally prefer higher areas, such as a cat tree or perch, for their naps. Multiple perches or cat trees are ideal as some cats prefer to watch their environment from different vantage points. This is especially important in multi-cat households as more than one cat can "perch" at a time. Windowsill perches are also good and are discussed under "Visual Stimulation".
So, what does that mean exactly? It means that for some cats to be "happy" and to minimize behavioral problems of indoor cats or multi-cat environments, it is important that your cat have plenty of toys, places to hide, perch, sleep, places or things to "scratch", things to "watch", and opportunities to play. It is also important that cats have a place that they perceive as safe to eat, drink and eliminate.
This can be accomplished by providing an environment with cat trees, perches, bags, beds, toys, and trusted spots to sleep, eat and use the litter box.
Refuge
Small refuges where cats feel save can be as simple as paper bags or cardboard boxes. Places to hide may be a favorite box under the bed, a pet taxi or carrier behind a chair, or on a towel on top of a dresser. Cats tend to prefer to be high were they can constantly assess their environment. They prefer to sleep and rest in areas where they feel safe and are comfortable.
In households with other cats or dogs, it is important that they cats be able to get away from the dog if they want to. This is especially true for litter box and food placement. They should be able to eat and eliminate without being bothered by dogs or other cats.
Cat Furniture or Perches
Some authorities estimate that cats need about 500 square feet per cat to minimize behavioral problems. One way to help make a cat's environment richer, bigger, and safer is to give them some extra vertical places. Perches are simply a high area with a view or vantage point.
Cats love to climb and high places make them feel secure. From a high spot, cats can watch their environment and identify both prey and predator. Although your cat may be indoors only and out of reach of prey or predator, cats don't lose this instinct. Cats feel most vulnerable when they sleep and generally prefer higher areas, such as a cat tree or perch, for their naps. Multiple perches or cat trees are ideal as some cats prefer to watch their environment from different vantage points. This is especially important in multi-cat households as more than one cat can "perch" at a time. Windowsill perches are also good and are discussed under "Visual Stimulation".
Scratching Stimulation
It is important to have places in your home where your cat is welcome to scratch. This is especially important in cats with claws, however, just because a cat does not have their claws, does not mean they don't have the instinct to "scratch". Scratching is a natural instinct for cats to sharpen their claws, stretch, shed old nails, and leave their scent.
Consider what substrates or locations your cat likes to scratch? Does he or she stretch out when they scratch? Does he scratch on furniture legs, the backs of fabric chairs or...along the carpeted floor. This information can help you determine which substrate your might prefer such as cardboard, fabric, carpet or wood and the surface type such as vertical areas or horizontal surfaces. If your cat stretches out when they scratch, make sure you choose a scratching surface that is tall enough to accommodate your cat.
Most scratching posts are made out of tree material, cardboard, rope, or fabric which can all work well. If you don't know what your cat prefers, you may want to try a couple types to ensure your cat has a favorite. A good combination is a cardboard horizontal scratcher and a vertical carpeted post. Multi-cat households should have several scratching spots. Make sure the post is secure and can not be moved or knocked over either hurting or scaring your cat. Because scent marking is a part of scratching, cats often like to scratch in common places in the house where you or other cats spend time. This may include doorways, bedrooms, kitchens or living rooms and in areas where they spend their times, such as near favorite sleeping and eating areas.
Visual Stimulation
Cats are often very simulated by their vision. They love toys that swing and movement. A window bed is often a favorite spot for cats to nap or watch the outside environment. This is especially good if they have a few of a tree or some natural elements, even birds. There are commercially available window beds or you can move a chair, secure table or bench next to a window for your cat. If a window is not an option, some cats like nature shows or videos.
Play
First, let's consider play. Consider your cat's toy preference? Does your cat prefer toys that mimic birds, mice or catching bugs? There are many types of toys made for cats and each cat has their own preferences as to what stimulates them to interact. Favored toys mimic predatory acts that cats would perform if they were to hunt for their food. Although your cat may not need to "hunt", they still enjoy the actions and movements involved with the process and create a form of play from this act.
It is important to have places in your home where your cat is welcome to scratch. This is especially important in cats with claws, however, just because a cat does not have their claws, does not mean they don't have the instinct to "scratch". Scratching is a natural instinct for cats to sharpen their claws, stretch, shed old nails, and leave their scent.
Consider what substrates or locations your cat likes to scratch? Does he or she stretch out when they scratch? Does he scratch on furniture legs, the backs of fabric chairs or...along the carpeted floor. This information can help you determine which substrate your might prefer such as cardboard, fabric, carpet or wood and the surface type such as vertical areas or horizontal surfaces. If your cat stretches out when they scratch, make sure you choose a scratching surface that is tall enough to accommodate your cat.
Most scratching posts are made out of tree material, cardboard, rope, or fabric which can all work well. If you don't know what your cat prefers, you may want to try a couple types to ensure your cat has a favorite. A good combination is a cardboard horizontal scratcher and a vertical carpeted post. Multi-cat households should have several scratching spots. Make sure the post is secure and can not be moved or knocked over either hurting or scaring your cat. Because scent marking is a part of scratching, cats often like to scratch in common places in the house where you or other cats spend time. This may include doorways, bedrooms, kitchens or living rooms and in areas where they spend their times, such as near favorite sleeping and eating areas.
Visual Stimulation
Cats are often very simulated by their vision. They love toys that swing and movement. A window bed is often a favorite spot for cats to nap or watch the outside environment. This is especially good if they have a few of a tree or some natural elements, even birds. There are commercially available window beds or you can move a chair, secure table or bench next to a window for your cat. If a window is not an option, some cats like nature shows or videos.
Play
First, let's consider play. Consider your cat's toy preference? Does your cat prefer toys that mimic birds, mice or catching bugs? There are many types of toys made for cats and each cat has their own preferences as to what stimulates them to interact. Favored toys mimic predatory acts that cats would perform if they were to hunt for their food. Although your cat may not need to "hunt", they still enjoy the actions and movements involved with the process and create a form of play from this act.
Source: www.petplace.com
