3 Smart Strategies To Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy
3 Smart Strategies To Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy
Compared to dogs, cats are pretty low-maintenance pets. They can spend hours on their own, don't require long walks outside and often are perfectly content being lazy with you on TV night.
Still, there are things you can do to ensure your furry feline friend is content and happy indoors. Follow these three strategies for how to keep an indoor cat happy to create a home both you and your cat will love.
1. Create a Safe and Comfortable Indoor Environment
A comfy cat is a happy cat. Here are some simple tips for making a feline friendly home to ensure your cat is as safe and comfortable as possible.
Litter box placement
Place litter boxes in quiet and easily accessible areas, away from high-traffic zones or loud appliances, to provide your cat with a private and stress-free place to eliminate. Avoid placing it in areas that require navigating stairs or obstacles. Senior cats or those with mobility issues may find it challenging to reach litter boxes that are located on different levels or in cramped spaces. Make sure they can access the litter box comfortably and without any physical strain.
Grow grass indoors
Cats have a natural instinct to eat grass, and there are several reasons why they engage in this behavior. One primary reason is that grass acts as a natural digestive aid for cats. When they consume grass, it can induce vomiting, helping them eliminate any indigestible material or hairballs from their stomach. Grass also contains essential nutrients like folic acid, which can be beneficial for their overall health. Additionally, chewing on grass helps to keep a cat's teeth clean by reducing the buildup of tartar and plaque.
Preventative measures
Our cats rely on us to create a safe environment free from potential hazards. Ensure your home is cat-proofed by removing toxic plants, securing loose cords or blinds that can pose strangulation risks, and storing cleaning products or chemicals out of their reach. Keep small objects, breakable items, and human foods that are toxic to cats safely stored away. Finally, check that windows and balconies are securely screened or blocked to prevent accidental falls or adventures out into the neighborhood.
2. Socialization and Bonding
Dedicated daily one-on-one bonding sessions, such as gentle grooming, cuddling, or interactive play, will strengthen your bond with your cat.
Window perches
Cats have an inherent fascination with windows and often seek out a perch near one for various reasons—-whether a dedicated perch is there or not. That’s why it’s a good idea to set up cat shelves or cat trees near your window so your pet can watch birds flutter by, track the movements of small critters, or simply observe the happenings of the neighborhood. Make sure your indoor cat has plenty of vertical space and many different vantage points so they can change things up throughout the day.
Give them space
While socialization is important, it's just as important to respect your cat's boundaries. Some cats may be more social and crave attention, while others may be more reserved or independent. Pay attention to your cat's body language and cues to determine their comfort level and adjust your interactions accordingly. Allow them to come to you for affection and avoid forcing attention upon them. This will make your cat feel at ease and it will keep you safe from potential scratches and bites from a grumpy kitty.
Consider a feline companion
Yes, it is actually a good idea to get another cat! If feasible, consider adopting a second cat to provide companionship and social interaction, ensuring both cats are properly introduced and have compatible personalities. A kitty friend can provide socialization, companionship, and opportunities for interactive play, especially when you're not available.
3. Physical and Mental Enrichment
Keeping your cat’s mind and body occupied can go a long way to ensuring your cat is happy and healthy. Here are some ways you can put this strategy to work at home:
Puzzle feeders
These dishes promote active play and enriching mental stimulation as your furry friend uses their paws and brains to solve the puzzle and retrieve their food. This helps prevent sedentary behavior and contributes to maintaining a healthy weight.
Interactive play
Engage in interactive play sessions using toys that mimic prey-like movements, encouraging their natural hunting instincts. Use interactive toys like feather wands or laser pointers to engage your cat in active play sessions, promoting agility and exercise.
Another option to keep your feline friends engaged is to set up tunnels or create DIY mazes using cardboard boxes to provide opportunities for exploration and physical exercise. You can also teach your cat simple tricks or use a clicker for training your cat to stimulate their minds and reinforce positive behaviors.
No matter what options you provide, the best way to keep your house cat happy is to regularly rotate out their toys to prevent boredom.
Set up a scratching post
A scratching post is a must for any cat owner. Cats scratch for lots of reasons, including maintaining the health of their claws by removing the dead outer layer, which helps keep their claws sharp and in good condition, as well as stretch their muscles. Cats also have scent glands in their paws, which lets them leave behind visual marks and pheromones to let them mark their territory (aka your living room).
By providing a scratching post, you offer your kitty an appropriate outlet for their instinctual need to scratch—saving your furniture in the process.
When it’s time to change out the covering on your cat’s scratching post, we offer affordable sisal rug remnants that cats love to scratch. Our sisal remnants are a sturdy, attractive option for re-covering your cat’s scratching post, keeping everyone in your house happy.
