Allowing your cat outdoors exposes them to many dangers, including infectious diseases, parasites, animal attacks, and vehicular accidents. Living indoors is best, but your feline friend then will have difficulty fulfilling their innate instincts, which can result in health and behavioral issues. Read our Westerville Veterinary Clinic team’s guide to learn how to provide opportunities for your cat to express their natural behaviors.

Create vertical space for your cat

Cats are natural climbers, and they feel more comfortable and secure when they can view their world from an elevated vantage point. You can give your cat opportunities to climb, jump, and explore at different levels with these tips:

  • Clean high shelves or the top of your refrigerator.
  • Invest in cat trees or make your own.
  • Install wall-mounted perches to create a cat wall.

Provide appropriate scratching surfaces for your cat

Scratching for cats is a necessary behavior that helps them maintain healthy claws, stretch their muscles, and mark their territory. If you don’t provide appropriate scratching surfaces, your cat will find other places, such as your furniture, curtains, and carpets, to fulfill their scratching needs. Considerations when providing cat scratchers include:

  • Orientation — Cat scratchers come in vertical and horizontal orientations. First provide options to determine your feline friend’s preference.
  • Surface — Scratching surfaces include cardboard, sisal, carpet, and wood. Most cats prefer surfaces that they can dig in with their nails and get a good grip, so offer different scratching types to see what your feline friend prefers.
  • Location — Your feline friend is unlikely to use a cat scratcher hidden in a corner. Place multiple cat scratchers throughout your home in areas your cat likes to rest and play.
  • Stability — Ensure the scratcher is stable and won’t wobble or fall over when scratched. 
  • Size — Vertical scratchers should be at least 32 inches tall, so your cat can adequately stretch their forelimbs and back.
  • Desirability — Place your cat’s favorite toys and catnip on the scratcher to help entice them to use it.

Ensure your cat has access to hiding places

Cats are prone to stress and need down time for their physical and mental health. Hiding places provide your feline friend with a safe retreat if they feel stressed, overwhelmed, or simply want an undisturbed nap. Cats like small, enclosed spaces, especially in warm areas, so place their bed in their favorite resting areas. You don’t have to break the bank to ensure your cat has an appropriate hiding place—they will like shoe boxes, laundry baskets, closet shelves, and paper bags as hiding spots. Another option is to leave out your cat’s carrier, which not only provides them with a safe hiding place, but also teaches them their carrier is comfortable, which can make transportation to the veterinarian easier. 

Encourage your cat’s hunting and foraging skills

Your cat’s ancestors had to hunt for their meals, which kept them engaged for the majority of their day. A bowl full of food that you place in front of them isn’t nearly as stimulating, so create a scavenger hunt, placing treats or kibble pieces throughout your home, and make your cat forage for their meal. You can also use food puzzle toys that will make your whiskered friend use a little brain power to access their food.

Offer your cat a room with a view

Cats love to watch birds and small mammals outside. Place a window perch, so your cat has a comfortable spot for watching the show. You can also install a bird feeder outside the window to make the show more entertaining.

Also, consider providing your cat with safe outdoor access. Some cats can be taught to walk on a halter and leash so they can safely experience outdoor sights, sounds, and smells. Another option is installing an outdoor cat enclosure (i.e., a catio) that protects your pet from potential outdoor dangers. 

Make time to play with your cat

Cats have a reputation for low maintenance, but they need playtime to stay physically active and mentally engaged. Schedule time daily to play with your cat with toys, such as flirt wands and laser pointers, that mimic prey. Rotate your cat’s toys regularly to keep them entertained and prevent boredom.

Providing appropriate enrichment helps keep your cat engaged, which promotes their physical and mental health. If your feline friend seems stressed, contact our Westerville Veterinary Clinic team, so we can determine the cause and find an effective solution.