Did you know that, like people, cats can become bored? It could appear that Fluffy is aiming for boredom or at the very least considers it a life objective. Cats do appear to prefer doing as little as possible, after all. But even the most slothful cat requires some kind of stimulation. Continue reading for advice from a local Deer Park, TX veterinarian on how to keep your feline overlord content and purring.
Why Is It Better to Keep My Cat Inside?
We will typically modify our cat care recommendations based on Fluffy’s age, temperament, and overall health. However, one thing we nearly always advise is keeping your cat indoors.
As you may have noticed, cats are rather daring. (Our feline masters are frequently a little more courageous than is healthy for them, but that is a whole other story.) Your pet might love going outside and engaging in common feline pastimes, such as creating paw art on your car and ignoring your calls to come inside. The enjoyment and stimulation your pet receives from exploring, observing birds and squirrels, sniffing flowers and plants, and playing in the driveway may also be beneficial to her. But for an inquisitive little ball of fur, the outside world presents some very real risks. Fluffy is exposed to a wide range of dangers as soon as she steps outside, including vehicles, the elements, untamed animals, parasites, chemicals, stray canines, and, regrettably, some people.
Keeping your cute pet indoors is much better for her health and safety.
Why Is Entertainment Important for Cats?
We are aware that boredom may not seem like a major issue for cats. Fluffy does, after all, sleep for a rather absurdly long time. (Interesting fact: cats sleep more than nearly any other mammal on the globe, averaging up to 20 hours each day.) Cats require enrichment to flourish, just like people do. Your kitty friend may grow dissatisfied if she is left with nothing to do but gaze at the walls.
Why Is Cat Boredom Bad?
Although Fluffy’s physical health and well-being will typically be our first concern, we also recognize that her emotional health is closely related to her physical health.
Here are some potential consequences:
- Depression: Did you know that, like us, cats may experience depression? Your cat will find this as awful as we do!
- Lack of Appetite: If your pet is not happy, she could stop eating. This is quite similar to how human appetite can be influenced by emotion. While skipping one meal might not be a big deal, your feline pal could get sick very quickly if she doesn’t eat.
- Escape: Your pet may attempt to flee—and possibly succeed—if she finds being indoors boring or unpleasant. Fluffy could end up lost, injured, or even killed as a result.
- Violence: Another potential result of a cat’s ennui is aggression. Fluffy might try to vent her frustration on you or any other pets you have.
Keeping Your Cat Entertained
As everyone knows, Fluffy is a huge fan of catnip mice. She also loves following her humans around. But there are other ways for cats to amuse themselves.
Some of our favorites are as follows:
Playtime: Try to establish the practice of playing with your feline companion for at least ten minutes each day. In addition to providing your adorable pet with entertainment, this will strengthen your friendship. It will also help Fluffy feel loved, boost her confidence, and give her a cat workout.
Toys: Interactive play is great, but your pet should have toys that she can play with on her own, such as catnip mice.
Window Seat: Did you know that one of Fluffy’s favorite things to do is watching birds and squirrels? A birdfeeder is a great option for kitty entertainment.
TV: There are shows specifically designed for Fluffy! Many of these involve birds, squirrels, and other small animals that your feline friend might chase in the wild.
Smart Toys: Over the past few decades, modern technology has made tremendous strides, and our feline friends have not been overlooked or left behind. You can get your pet a laser pointer that you can operate with an app or a mouse that responds to her movements.
Things to Climb: Since Fluffy can’t see much from the ground, it makes sense that she likes to climb to higher altitudes. For this, cat towers are fantastic. They also have jungle gyms and places to nap. Kitty shelves are another option for those who want to go all-out
Kitty Gardens: A lot of our feline friends take great pleasure in sniffing plants and chewing on green leaves. Put some plants out for Fluffy that are safe for pets! Another option is to create a small cat garden for her. Planting cat grass in a litterbox is one way. Just make sure you continue doing what you know is safe. A complete list is available on the ASPCA website by clicking this link.
Games: It may surprise you to learn that there are now games made just for Fluffy to play on a tablet or phone.
Schedule a Visit to Our Deer Park, TX Pet Hospital
Is it time for your pet to have a checkup? Get in touch with your local Deer Park, TX animal clinic at any moment!
