Like humans, animals also need mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy. Cats are no exception in that regard. Your cat may be independent, but it still needs to be engaged. A bored cat is a frustrated cat that can be destructive to its surroundings – which, in this case, would be your home.
Your cat can take out their frustrations and boredom on your furniture, clothing, and other household valuables. To avoid this, you need to create a physically and mentally enriching environment for your cat. Here are some of the ways you can make life more interesting your feline companion.
Why Is Enrichment Necessary?
Like other felines, your pet cat prefers its environment to be pristine. It satisfies their predisposed natural instincts, which include hunting, solitude, and climbing.
You are probably familiar with the following scenario. You are walking around your house when suddenly your cat jumps at your feet with both claws. That is a prime example of your cat satisfying its natural instinct to hunt. They are good at it. Like its larger wild feline counterparts, your pet is naturally adept at stalking and killing prey. They are also very playful, even with captured prey.
As for solitude, your cat exhibits unique traits when compared to other pet animals. It is social, but prefers to interact on its own terms. Your cat will cuddle you only when it wants, which is why you need to give it as much stimulating space of its own as possible.
Your cat’s other natural instinct is to explore lofty locations. Most cats enjoy climbing and jumping to reach high locations in your house. Imagine a leopard or a tiger scaling a tree. That is also how your cat behaves because it feels safe that way. Your cat’s home environment should feed all of these natural instincts to keep it happy and healthy.
How to Create an Enriching Environment for Your Cat
Transforming your home space for your cat may sound complicated, but a little forethought will show that there are many easy steps you can take to create a more stimulating environment. Here are some things to consider when making your home a cat-friendly space.
Explore Vertical Spaces
The walls in your home are naturally lofty places that you can design to your cat’s advantage. Instead of photo frames, consider cat shelves with napping nooks. Erect scratching posts that extend to the ceiling. These elevated customizations will fulfill your cat’s needs for safety as they survey their territory.
Invest in Interactive Toys
Paper bags and boxes, ping pong balls, food puzzles and dispensers, and feeder toys are some of the best interactive toys to keep your cat occupied for hours. You can also shop for prey toys that move on their own to stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts.
Create Hiding Spots
Your adult cat can sleep for 16 hours a day to recharge. While doing so, they prefer secluded and safe spots. Create comfortable napping places in quiet corners around the house, preferably in elevated locations.
Invest in Food Puzzles
Your cat has more fun hunting for its next meal than simply reaching for it from the food dish. It is naturally predisposed to hunt for food. Invest in food puzzles that provide a challenge to obtaining their tasty treats to satisfy this instinct.
Enrich Your Cat’s Home Life
Environmental stimulation is a great way to promote your cat’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. An enriched setting will give your cat opportunities to live an exciting and fulfilled life and will make for a happier and healthier feline companion. With a bit of planning and willingness to share your space, you and your cat can both enjoy a home that’s perfectly suited to your needs.