When bringing your new kitten or cat home, there is a lot to consider. Some of your thoughts may include: how to best care for him or her or how to provide safety and stimulation in their lives. One of the things to decide is whether or not you would like to keep your cat indoors, or if you will allow it access to the outdoor as well.
Keeping cats indoors.
There is a lot to be said for keeping our cats indoors. We all know someone whose cat has been beaten up by other cats, dogs or even hit by a car! Outdoors they are more at risk of contracting diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, picking up parasitic diseases or even be exposed to animal cruelty.
Therefore, the aim should be to entertain your indoor cat and provide mental and physical stimulation so that the indoor atmosphere becomes a happy and safe environment for your cat.
Cats have a natural instinct to hunt.
By providing interactive toys, such as a wind-up mouse to catch or an object tied to a rope (mimicking catching prey), you stimulate the need to perform predatory behaviour with toys instead of our hands and feet. By providing treat filled toys, or food puzzles, or even by scattering food over the floor rather than providing it all in a bowl, you help fulfil a natural need to hunt, catch and eat. Rotating the various toys helps prevent boredom, and make sure to reward (treat) appropriate play behaviour.
Scratching Posts
Scratching posts provide your cat with the innate need to scratch, all while sparing your furniture. Scratching has a function in keeping nails healthy, but it also plays a role in the cat communication, both visually (the scratch marks) and via smell (cats have scent glands in their paws). Cats love to fully stretch out when scratching, so providing a vertical scratching post (or climbing post) is a good start.
Interactive Games
You can be involved in some interactive games, such as chasing the light beam from a penlight, or playing fetch with scrunched up bits of paper. Some cats like quality time with their owners, being petted, groomed or just sitting on your lap, but be aware that individual cats have individual preferences. Never force interaction with your cat!
Cats love to be able to sit high up and watch the world from above.
Providing several areas higher up such as a climbing post, window sill, or shelving on the wall. Cats also like safe spaces such as cardboard boxes. In households with more than one cat, always make sure there are sufficient resources (food, water and toileting areas, scratching, play and resting areas) for each cat, far enough separated so there is no need for competition.
Interacting with the outside world
Some cats like to interact with the outside world, through sitting on a window sill or even through having access to a safe outdoor environment with an enclosed outdoor run. Some cats can even get used to walking on a harness and can have supervised access to the outdoors that way. However, some cats may get stressed, being able to see or hear a strange cat outside their home, which may even lead to spraying (refer to previous blog on April 18, 2015).
By understanding and addressing your cat’s needs, you will greatly enhance its health and quality of life. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ring our helpful team at Cronulla Veterinary Clinic.