Exercise and entertainment for your feline friend is a crucial part in keeping them healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally. Cats snooze more throughout a 24-hour time period than their dog counterparts but when they are awake they are ready to hunt, chase, bounce, pounce, think, bat, and explore! Without entertainment and stimulation, they have a greater chance of becoming overweight, unhappy, and more likely to find a way to entertain themselves by tearing up a fresh roll of toilet paper or scratching the corner of your couch!
Cats are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active during the dawn and dusk. Making the most of their awake hours can be done through interaction between kitty and human, as well as setting up the house to ensure your furry pal can keep themselves busy while you are away from your home or catching up on your human sleep!
Here are some tips and tricks:
Cardboard Boxes & Bags
This isn’t a surprise to most cat owners. The object of your cat’s affection tends to be the cardboard box your pet’s new bed came in or the paper bag that carried home their cat food. Although it is trash in a human’s eye, let them play in their new paper forts before clearing them from the room. These items are the perfect tools for a round of hide & seek or to slide across the room. Throw a toy or cat nip inside to make things even more lively!
Window Watching
Cats are infatuated with the great outdoors! It’s not a coincidence that you may see your neighbor’s kitty perched in the window watching the wildlife buzzing around. Leave a blind open and position a cat tree or bench near the window if the sill isn’t wide enough for them to lounge upon. Consider adding a bird or squirrel feeder near your window to encourage the critters to get closer to your kitty when they’re watching from inside.
Digital Entertainment
YouTube is for cats too! Using your TV, computer, tablet, or cell phone can be a source of merriment for your cat. Here are a few of their favorite channels:
Apps: Cat Fishing 2, Relax My Cat, Games for Cats!, Mouse for Cats, Friskies JitterBug, Laser Pointer for Cat
DVDs: Cat Dreams , Mewvie
YouTube Videos: Birds , Fish , Other Cats , Wildlife , Laser Pointer
TV: National Geographic (found on Cable & Disney+)
Toys & Games
Pet stores are full of toys that cats love but you don’t have to spend a fortune to humor your kitty. Try some of these inexpensive ideas:
Throw ping pong balls into your bathtub or sink and watch your kitty go wild batting and bouncing them around.
Hang a shoe lace from a door knob. They won’t be able to resist the dangling new item.
Induce their hunting skills by running into a different room and hiding behind a door. After they hunt and “attack”, run into another room.
Roll aluminum foil into a ball and shoot it across the room. Some cats, specifically Siamese cats, will retrieve the ball to start a game of fetch.
Cats can get bored of a toy that they see and sniff often. Store a few wand toys out of reach from your cat for a while; when you bring them out again your cat will think new prey has entered their territory!
Cat Garden
You don’t need to have a green thumb to grow your kitty’s favorites! Here is a short DIY video on how to create an indoor cat garden.
Popular, non-toxic plants include:
Wheatgrass “Cat Grass”
Cat Nip
Thyme
Rosemary
Parsley
Cat grass and cat nip plants can usually be found at your local pet store and can be replanted into your pot.
**Always check the ASPCA site to ensure you never offer a toxic plant to your cat.**
Cat Wheel
Have you ever seen an outdoor cat run? They are fast! They can only run short lengths while inside so consider purchasing a cat wheel where they can sprint as far and as long as they’d like!
Feeding Time
House cats still have their wild streak, wanting to stalk, hunt and forge their food so having it served into a bowl isn’t as stimulating as meal time could be. Try offering their breakfast in a puzzle feeder or hiding a portion of their meal in a toilet paper roll, egg carton, or Kong.
Trees & Scratching Posts
A cat’s instinct is to keep their claws sharpened and ready to attack if needed. Although keeping their claws well-manicured is one reason they scratch, it is also a way for them to self-soothe, fight boredom, strengthen their paws, and leave their scent behind. Each cat tends to have a preferred scratching method, either horizontally or vertically, but it’s important to offer both.
Cat trees tend to have posts that are perfect for vertical scratching while scratching boards & mats provide a horizontal option. Allow your cat freedom to jump, scratch, and stretch on structures that are specifically for them. This also deters them from scratching your furniture!
Catio
Allow you kitty to explore on your screened-in patio so they can experience the outdoors safely. If you don’t have a screened-in patio, you can build or purchase a free standing enclosure!
Tricks
It’s true! Armed with a high reward treat, you can teach cats tricks by using the clicker method. Watch Jackson Galaxy give a crash course on how to use a clicker to train your furry kid.
Leash Walking
Some cats are willing to give leash walking a whirl, but it’s important that you introduce it to them slowly. Allow them to get used to wearing their harness by allowing them to walk around the house for long periods of time over the course of a few weeks. Once they seem comfortable in their harness, attach the leash and practice walking around the house so you both become comfortable. Depending on the curiosity level of your cat, they might want to stay close to home on the porch, sidewalk, or driveway. Don’t push your cat into exploring more than they are comfortable with. Leash training takes time and patience!
Cuddle Time
Providing your kitty with affection also makes for a content cat. On top of catching some zzzz’s or binge watching a Netflix series together, brush their fur or even offer them a fresh warm blanket from the dryer.
Hire A Pet Sitter
When you are away from home for more than 24 hours, hire a professional pet sitter who can step in and take care of all the wants and needs of your kitty while you are gone! You’ll come home to a calmer, happier cat.