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Question: It seems indoor cats have more cat behavior problems compared to cats that are permitted to go outside. Do you believe it is feasible to have an indoor cat that is happy and properly adjusted? Answer: Yes, it is achievable for an indoor kitty to be happily satisfied and well adjusted. However, to make this happen, "environmental enrichment" is essential to ensure your indoor cat is stimulated both mentally and physically. As cat lovers know, our pet cats are really complicated, sensitive and inquisitive animals with incredible senses. Out in the wild, cats use their unique abilities to explore their surroundings, mark their territory, avoid danger, catch food, etc. Felines that are allowed outside have many opportunities to use their senses, but are exposed to many dangers and diseases. Cats that are kept indoors don't have as much stimulation but are in a safe, protected environment. How do you describe the best living circumstances for our feline companions? In my opinion, the best thing is for a pet cat to live indoors (if at all possible) with plenty of environmental enrichment opportunities to decrease the chance of boredom, relieve stress and provide exercise. It is important to provide a rich environment from the very beginning so that behavioral problems can be avoided. Of course, there is that rare kitty that is perfectly content to stay inside all day and all night, sleeping contentedly on the same pillow for 20 hours a day! But most indoor cats need much more to be happy and well adjusted. Posted below are some proven environmental enrichment strategies for your cat starting with the simplest to the most complex: 1. If at all doable, get a suitable feline pal for your indoor kitty cat. Your job of "enrichment" could be considerably less difficult if you have two kitty cats that get along well and play well together. 2. Present a wide variety of toys for your cat and rotate them every couple of weeks. Incorporate toys which are stuffed {using catnip. Most feline behavior specialists say an inside cat should have 24 unique toys for sufficient sensory stimulation. (Obviously, do not bring them all out at once!). The toys can be as simple as a rolled up piece of paper or as complicated as the popular Peek a Prize Toy Box by SmartCat. 3. Play with the cat one-on-one for a minimum of 15 minutes every day utilizing interactive playthings. Cats especially like "fishing pole" toys with feathers and other pretend "prey" they can chase. A flashlight or laser pointer also works well with many cats. 4. Make sure that there is a perch or ledge where your cat can sit to look out the window. Indoor kitty cats usually love to be able see bird feeders or bushes and trees that are alive with wildlife. Notice: Choose a window view that does not include the ability to see naughty local kitty cats. Your indoor only cat might get stressed and begin to urinate to "mark" the house once he sees the outdoor cats entering into his territory. 5. Purchase or build cat-scratching posts and encourage your cat to use them. You can rub catnip on the post, show your kitty how to scratch, and after that reward your cat with praise and a treat when the cat use the scratching post appropriately. Cats International has instructions on how to build a simple yet effective sisel-wrapped scratching post. 6. Purchase or construct cat furniture (referred to as Cat Condos, Kitty Trees, and so forth) that contains areas to climb, take cover, and perch. Kitties particularly like to be in a "elevated" location to watch their universe beneath them. Customers have recommended CatTreePlans.com for do-it-yourself cat owners. ThingsCatsLove.com retails new cat furniture (assembly usually required). Note: If you purchase used cat furniture, your cat may not like the scent of the previous inhabitants! 7. If you are gone for long periods of time, consider using some type of visual stimulation like a fish aquarium (with a secure lid) or a specially designed cat video for your television. Some cats love kitty-friendly television images, and then others don't even notice them. The Kitty Show and Video Catnip are two |producers with best-selling cat "movies." You can also find some on YouTube for free. 8. Grow or purchase some grasses or spouts for the cat to munch. This will satisfy their craving for greens and deter them from chewing on houseplants. {Most grasses (unsprayed and chemical-free, of course) are safe for cats but wheat and oat grass seem to be among the favorites. Some cats even like alfalfa or bean sprouts. Both sprouts and grass are simple to grow and are ready to sample in just a few days One can locate the seed products in a plant center or nursery, or buy one of the many "cat grass kits" online or at a pet store. Lucy's Cat Grass is a popular online resource. Notice: Some houseplants might be toxic to felines. Check with the veterinarian or check Pet Poison Helpline for a complete list. 9. Spend some time training your cat. Even though the training used with felines is different from the training used with dogs, felines are quite clever and can be trained to perform on cue. Productive training is accomplished with praise and treats as rewards. Depending on their personality, some kitties really enjoy the challenge and psychological stimulation of training. These cats get pleasure from the owner's extra attention. (My young son taught our cat to "play" the piano utilizing a clicker and special treats.) Catsplay.com has a very helpful section on cat training. 10. As unusual as it may sound, you can actually train the cat to wear a harness ("H" type is very best) and to take a walk outdoors on the leash. It may require some patience, but a lot of kitties learn to really like it, and it provides them a taste of the life outside. The informative and humorous book, How to Get Your Cat to Do What You Want by animal behaviorist Warren Eckstein has 15 pages of instruction about leash-training a cat. Notice: Under no circumstances should a cat be left by itself on a leash or tethered outside unattended! Cats left alone tethered on a leash can easily strangle themselves. 11. For those felines that seem to crave a larger outdoor experience, consider employing a screened in porch, constructing an outdoor cat enclosure or installing specialized fencing. Cat Fence-In and Purr…fect Fence are two companies that specialize in "cat containment" options for the yard. Notice: Some kitty cats (like mine) could rip the screens of porches and windows to get outdoors. Check with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns on your indoor kitty or the environmental enrichment strategies above.
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