Original Post can be read at moderncat.com

Your home might be great; however is it enriching for your cat? These are some things to consider…

5 STEPS TO IMPROVING FELINE ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT

Give Cats Various and Separate Key Resources.
Cats handle conflict by avoidance. They get along best when they don’t need to share. Felines require various “key assets” (litter boxes, scratching posts, resting spots, and water and nourishment sources) in separate areas of the living space.

Create a Safe Area.
In nature, felines are both predator and prey, so being exposed can make them feel helpless and stressed. Cats have a solid sense to hide to feel safe and relaxed. Give them a safe spot to withdraw to with beds, boxes, roosts, feline trees, and shelves.

Present an Opportunity to Hunt.
Felines need to hunt to be physically and mentally solid. In nature, cats hunt in the vicinity of nine and 20 times each day, 24 hours a day. Cats spend the vast majority of their waking hours hunting for nourishment. Basically nourishing from a bowl does not give the incitement that they require. Felines ought to hunt for and eat various little dinners a day—not pig out from a bowl twice per day. Moreover, cats are singular seekers that like to hunt and eat alone. Compelling them to share a solitary area for nourishment can bring about clash that prompts to stress and urinating outside of the litter box.

Create an Environment that Respects Your Cat’s Sense of Smell.
A cat’s sense of smell is 15 times stronger than a human’s. Cats need to engage their exquisite sense of smell to hunt for their food. Likewise, cats dislike certain smells—especially citrus—so avoid scented air fresheners and carpet cleaners in their spaces!

Provide Constructive and Predictable Human Interaction.
Play with each of your cats every day! Cats benefit from at least 15 minutes of daily play with their humans. When you end any play session, allow your cat to “catch” his “prey” (the toy) and give your cat a food reward to complete their natural hunting, catching, and eating “seeking cycle.”

Share