Keeping your indoor Kitty entertained

Did you know that cats, like humans, can become bored? It may appear that Fluffy is aiming for boredom, or that it is a life ambition. After all, kittens appear to love lying around and doing as little as possible. Even the laziest kitty requires some enrichment. Continue reading for advice from a local Burlington, ON veterinarian on how to keep your feline overlord happy and purring.

Why Should You Keep Your Cat Indoors?

While we will usually adapt our cat care advice based on Fluffy’s age, temperament, and health, there is one thing we virtually always recommend: keep your cat indoors. 

You may have observed that cats are pretty brave. (Our feline masters are frequently bolder than is healthy for them, but that’s a whole other story.) Your pet may enjoy going outside and engaging in famous feline hobbies such as creating paw art on your car and refusing to come inside when you call her. However, the outer world presents some major threats to an inquisitive ball of fur. Fluffy is exposed to a wide range of risks the moment she steps outside, including automobiles, weather, wild animals, parasites, chemicals, loose canines, and, unfortunately, some people. Keep her safe and sound inside.

Why Do Cats Need Entertainment?

We understand that boredom may not seem like a severe issue for cats. After all, Fluffy spends a tremendous amount of time snoozing. (Fun fact: cats can sleep up to 20 hours per day, more than nearly any other animal on the globe.) Your pet will be awake for at least a few hours each day. She may spend some of that time grooming herself, eating, playing, and scheming world domination, but there will still be some room in her schedule. Cats, like us, need enrichment to thrive. If your kitty companion has nothing to do but look at the walls, she may become dissatisfied.

Ask your Burlington, ON veterinarians for more kitty care tips. 

Why Is Boredom Bad for Cats?

It’s easy to forget how crucial mental stimulation is for pets. While our primary focus will be on Fluffy’s physical health and well-being, we recognize that an animal’s emotional well-being is inextricably linked to their health. Kitties are extremely emotional, and their dissatisfaction can appear in a variety of ways.

Here are some of the potential repercussions:

Escape Attempts: If your pet dislikes being indoors, she may attempt to escape and succeed. This puts Fluffy at risk of becoming lost, injured, or possibly killed. 

Aggression: Another probable result of cat boredom? Fluffy may try to vent her unhappiness on you or her roommates. If you have more than one cat, they may fight.

Bad Behavior: If Fluffy is bored, she may become upset. That may cause her to try to soothe herself by engaging in unwanted behaviors. She may scratch your carpet, chew items, or spray improperly. You may also hear your pet meow or howl.

Depression: Did you know that cats, like humans, can get depressed? This is equally as uncomfortable for your cat as it is for us!

Poor Appetite: If your pet is unhappy, she may stop eating. While skipping one meal may not seem like a big deal, if your feline friend goes without food for an extended period, she may quickly become ill. Drops in calorie intake can quickly influence a cat’s metabolism. That might be really risky for them.

How Do You Keep A Bored Cat Interested?

Now for the fun part! We all know Fluffy adores catnip mice. However, this is not the only way to keep cats entertained.

Playtime: Make it a habit to set aside at least 10 minutes per day to play with your cat. This will not only entertain your adorable pet, but it will also promote bonding. Furthermore, it will offer Fluffy a feline workout, boost her confidence, and make her feel loved.

Window Seats: Did you realize that a window seat is one of Fluffy’s preferred forms of entertainment? Your kitty companion could spend hours lounging and daydreaming about hunting while observing birds and squirrels. You receive added purrs for putting a bird feeder in your cat’s line of sight, so there’s always something entertaining going on. Of course, we’d only recommend this if your pet is usually indoors. Otherwise, you’d likely be enticing the unfortunate birds to their deaths!

Cat TV: Yes, there are programs designed specifically for Fluffy. As one might assume, many of these include birds, squirrels, and other small critters that your feline companion would hunt in the wild. 

Smart Toys: Modern technology has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few decades, and our feline friends have not been forgotten or left behind. There are plenty of cute and exciting new toys for our feline friends to push beneath the couch! You can get your pet a mouse that responds to her movements or a laser pointer that you can operate via an app.

Things to Climb: Have you ever noticed how cats enjoy climbing up to high places? Fluffy can’t see very far from the ground, so it’s no surprise she prefers climbing to higher elevations. Cat towers are ideal for this. They also include resting areas and jungle gyms.

Kitty Gardens: Many of our kitty friends like nibbling on green leaves and sniffing plants. Set out some pet-friendly plants for Fluffy! You can also construct her a small cat garden. This is great for a screened porch or patio. One solution is to plant cat grass in a litterbox. Just make sure you stick to items you know are safe. You may view a complete list on the ASPCA website here.

Book An Appointment At Our Burlington, ON Pet Hospital

Is your kitty companion due for an exam? Contact us, your Burlington, ON animal clinic, at any time!