Most cats exude an independent nature and quickly adapt to being left alone at home, that being said, unlike what most people think cats aren’t really low maintenance. They require care, attention and love just as much as any other pet would. As a pet parent it becomes essential that one understands the different needs of their feline friend to keep them happy and healthy at every age and stage. Having a few enrichment toys and activities can help a lot with this. So, what is enrichment and why is it important? Enrichment is providing your companion animals with environmental stimuli that help satisfy their natural instincts and promote physical, mental and emotional well-being. Enrichment activities are important because they give your pets an outlet, help them practice their instinctual behaviours and of course, have fun. Some of the ways you can help stimulate your cat mentally and physically are -
Walking your cat
Taking your
cats for walks (on a leash!) can provide them environmental enrichment. Our animal counterparts pay a lot of attention to different things such as different kinds of smells, and so it becomes important to consider all of your cat’s senses when you’re trying to enrich their environment.
Use a perch Cats love to sit by the window and look outside! When you attach a perfect at an height near a (closed) window it gives your cat a spot to enjoy the view from. Cat perches help provide visual enrichment to your feline companion and are especially great for senior cats that lack mobility.
Cat caves!
Cat caves are
cat beds that are shaped like a cave. They help provide your cat with a safe space that they can retire to anytime they wish. These caves help provide the sense of total seclusion to the cats.
Puzzles
Yes! Cat puzzles exist and are a great way for you to mentally stimulate your cat. These
cat toys are interactive and help avoid boredom for your cats. Remember, the most important thing to consider while investing in
cat puzzles and brain toys is the age and experience of the cat.
Scratch Posts
Scratching is very instinctive for cats, any cat parent would tell you that. Providing an outlet in the form of scratch pods and scratch posts helps your cat fulfill his/her needs, keeps your furniture safe and keeps your cat occupied. Providing your cat with cognitive, environmental, visual, social and other types of enrichment helps build confidence, improves your bond and increases the quality of life of your dear kitty.
