Cats, especially indoor cats, need stimulation and recreation to maintain their good mental health. This is often referred to as environmental enrichment or environmental enhancements. So, what does that mean exactly? It means that for some cats to be happy and to minimize behavioral problems of indoor cats or multi-cat environments, it is important that your cat have plenty of toys, places to hide, perch, sleep, places or things to scratch, things to watch, and opportunities to play. It is also important that cats have a place that they perceive as safe to eat, drink and eliminate. This can be accomplished by providing an environment with cat trees, perches, bags, beds, toys, and trusted spots to sleep, eat and use the litter box. Refuge Small refuges where cats feel save can be as simple as paper bags or cardboard boxes. Places to hide may be a favorite box under the bed, a pet taxi or carrier behind a chair, or on a towel on top of a dresser. Cats tend to prefer to be high were they can constantly assess their environment. They prefer to sleep and rest in areas where they feel safe and are comfortable. In households with other cats or dogs, it is important that they cats be able to get away from the dog if they want to. This is especially true for litter box and food placement. They should be able to eat and eliminate without being bothered by dogs or other cats. Cat Furniture or Perches Some authorities estimate that cats need about 500 square feet per cat to minimize behavioral problems. One way to help make a cats environment richer, bigger, and safer is to give them some extra vertical places. Perches are simply a high area with a view or vantage point. Cats love to climb and high places make them feel secure. From a high spot, cats can watch their environment and identify both prey and predator. Although your cat may be indoors only and out of reach of prey or predator, cats dont loose this instinct. Cats feel most vulnerable when they sleep and generally prefer higher areas, such as a cat tree or perch, for their naps. Multiple perches or cat trees are ideal as some cats prefer to watch their environment from different vantage points. This is especially important in multi-cat households as more than one cat can perch at a time. Windowsill perches are also good and are discussed under Visual Stimulation. Cat trees and perches come in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. The most common cat tree is made of carpet and some form of pegs to hold the horizontal surfaces. They can vary from a couple feet tall to 10 to 12 feet tall with lots of branches and spots to sleep, play, or rest. They can be combined with beds, attached dangling toys, and scratching posts. Perches can be in or on a cat tree, on a piece of furniture such as a dresser or bed, or on a table.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 04:14:34 +0000
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