Kitties can’t thrive off food and shelter alone. They need play, stimulation, and a cat-friendly environment. To keep your kitty happy and healthy, here are five simple ways to enrich your cat’s life.
Play for a half hour every day
Playing is good exercise and great for bonding. When playing, always use cat toys and not your hands, since hands should be associated with petting only. Excellent cat toys include those with a ball or feather on a string that your cat can chase after. During playtime, be sure to let kitty catch their “prey” every now and then.
Provide access to vertical space
A happy cat is able to survey her domain and territory. Consider giving kitty more access to vertical space. This can include making a spot for them on a bookshelf or clearing off the top of the fridge. Whatever area you choose, make sure it is stable and that your cat can easily reach it. Cat trees are also a great way to help kitty reach higher ground.
Rotate new and old toys
In addition to regularly playing with kitty, provide a variety of toys. Instead of leaving all the toys out, keep just one or two out at a time and then put the rest away. Rotate the toys regularly so as to prevent your cat from getting bored.
Set up a sunny window
Giving your kitty a view of the outside world gives them environmental enrichment. They’ll have a blast gazing at birds, critters, and anything else that passes by. If your window ledges aren’t big enough, consider buying a cat perch. Perches come in a variety of sizes and most you can easily install yourself.
Clean your cat’s dishes
Cats are healthy and at their best when their environment is a clean one. Be sure to clean your cat’s food and water dishes so as to avoid the build-up of any bacteria.
Worried your cat needs enrichment? Our sitters are available for play sessions ranging from fifteen minutes to an entire our – and even overnight! Give us a call to find out more.
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Candace Elise Hoes is a pet sitter and blogger at Katie’s Kitty. She is a graduate of the MFA Writing Program at California College of the Arts.
photo by Hormiguita Viajera mir on flickr