Cats may be cute and cuddly, but they also can be a challenge to care for, especially if they are indoors all the time. Felines are natural hunters and get bored easily, so they have a tendency to be curious. That can cause some problems, like when they decide to scale your curtains to get a better view of your living room.
When you understand a cat’s basic needs, you can raise a healthy pet and live with them in harmony.
Keep Life Interesting
To most indoor cats, life is humdrum, monotonous. So you have to keep them occupied as much as possible.
“Our misunderstanding of cats as ‘low-maintenance’ pets has led to cats that are bored and stressed. This has resulted in an epidemic of feline obesity as well as stress-associated diseases” like urinary tract infections, says Ariel Mosenco, DVM, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Cats need interactive play time that will satisfy their hunting instincts and keep them active.
For you as an owner, that means a variety of toys and lots of one-on-one time to help ward off a pudgy pussycat.
“Some cats will play fetch, so throwing a toy down the stairs so the cat has to run up and down works well, says Arlene Gardsbane, DVM, a veterinarian in Silver Spring, MD. “Laser pointer toys are great to get a cat to chase. As well as toys on the end of poles.”
For cat owner Colette Bennett, having more than one kitty has been a blessing. Bennett shares her Atlanta apartment with her boyfriend and three cats; Ender, who’s 9, Noodle, a 3-year-old female, and Ichi, a 1-year old male. She finds the cats occupy one another’s time.
“The younger two also chase each other and wrestle a lot, “Bennett says, “So that helps to keep them active.”