Indoor Cats – how to Keep them Happy and Healthy

Cats are naturally inquisitive animals and posses senses much more sensitive and acute than our own. It therefore makes sense that when a cat is restricted to living a life totally inside that they may find the environment somewhat boring and un-stimulating.

Without adequate stimulus within their home environment, cats can become bored, stressed animals that can then manifest it self into several destructive and unhealthy behavior patterns. For instance a bored may become stressed, this can cause scratching of furniture, urination around the home and even excessive meowing. Some cats find solace in overeating to relive their boredom and couple that with the lack of exercise they have inside, this soon can lead to weight problems. It is important therefore that owners of indoor cats realize the extra needs of there pet and provide as much entertainment and exercise to keep their cat happy and healthy.

Providing the basics for an indoor cat is the first step towards a happy home environment. The essential items are

• Making sure that fresh water is available to them at all times.
  
• A small amount of dry food is left for them during the day.
  
• Separate litter trays are provided for each cat and that they are not placed near to each other or near feeding areas.
  
• Warm comfortable clean cat beds are available.

Understanding your cats natural instincts and behaviors will help to demonstrate the kind of stimulus that needs to replicated for the cat inside their home environment. Cats are natural jumpers and climbers and enjoy being up high, so buy providing so called cat trees inside will give them this opportunity. They come in many different color, sizes and coverings and the only consideration is how much space you have to accommodate them.

Keeping claws sharp and in good condition is also a natural cat requirement. In the wild they would use tree trunks and other rough areas to sharpen their claws, in the home environment to prevent household furniture taking the brunt of this behavior, it is possible to buy various types of scratching posts. Some of which stand-alone, others attach to doors or the side of furniture, there are even special scratching mats available.

If you ever watch a cat outside for a period of time you will notice that they are constantly looking for something to chase, stalk or jump on. This has many purposes, it helps to keep their senses alert and sharp, it keeps them fit and lastly it is fun. By simply providing different types of toys and activities, you will be able to allow your cat to continue these natural hunting and playing skills. Balls with bells inside are great chasing toys, soft mice are great for stalking and batting and interactive toys like cat fishing rods and dangly toys are good for hunting and pouncing on. Simple cardboard boxes are also great to leave around the home, cats love to hide in them and use them as attacking places.

Many cats enjoy the scent of Catnip; it relaxes them and can send them into dream like ecstasy. It is perfectly safe and cats will moderate their use of it as required. It is available in some cat toys and sprays but one of the best ways to provide some for your pet is to grow them their own little tray of fresh catnip. It is easy to grow and will provide your cat with year round sensual entertainment.

Indoor cats are deprived of contact with other animals that they would normally come into contact outside. Sights and sounds of other animals is one of their main stimuli outside and being in a quiet home environment all day could become very lonely and boring after a while. Recently special cat videos have been made which can be left on during the day for the cat as background noise and visual motivation. They show various different types of birds and small animals scurrying about and just like a cat watching from a window, provides hours of safe entertainment.

Cats are also very intelligent animals and like us need things to occupy their minds. A good way to provide this for your cat during the day while they are alone is to hide dry kibble inside a cardboard tube which has been taped up at both ends and a few holes have been punches in the side of the tubes. This means the cat has to realize that the only way to get to the food is to push the tube around to knock the food out of the holes. Perhaps leave these tubes around the house for them to find instead of just leaving food for them in a bowl.

Indoor cats if left to their own devices may try to make their own entertainment and this could be dangerous not only for them but also your belongings.

To prevents the dangers it is a good idea to ensure that their home environment is made as safe for them when left alone as possible by

• Making sure that all windows are closed
  
• That doors are kept closed to rooms containing precious breakable items.
  
• Make sure there are no plants around that are poisonous to cats.
  
• Keep cables tied up and out of view
  
• Keep curtains closed on hot sunny days to keep the rooms cool.