Often the most effective way of keeping your indoor cat happy is to just pay attention to it. These are the same enrichment tactics used to keep lions, tigers and other predators in good mental and physical condition in zoos. There is no basis for the theory that your cat can only be happy if it goes out of the house. Have you ever heard people saying that their cat sleeps all the time? More often than not, we come home to find our cat happily buried in one of her new places.Â, If your cat likes hiding in bedroom closets or in your wardrobe, make sure the doors don’t shut on her!Â, This is beneficial for both human and kitty cat.Â, Who else hates cat litter tracked all over the house? Take it to the next level by adding “cat shelves” throughout your home to take advantage of vertical space for your feline family members. Having matted or unkept fur can be uncomfortable, itchy and just generally not much fun for your kitty cat.Â. It’s important that you spend time with her as well and play together at least twice a day. 13. I hope you enjoyed reading about all the fun ways you can keep your indoor cat happy, healthy and playful! Meanwhile, our youngest, Lucy, she will just eat until the bowl is empty – most of the time ending in her returning some of the food in a not-so-nice manner. Watch this segment on NatGeo WILD’s Pet Talk for my tips on how to keep your cats from dashing out the door. While there isn’t much actual maintenance of the whiskers involved, being sure not to harm your cat’s whiskers is a must.Â. It’s only fair we do the same and keep them happy. Want to find the best litter box based on your cat’s personality? You can keep your kitty happy by playing with it, ensure the animal is kept stimulated and providing toys that entertain the animal. If your cat likes other cats, consider adopting a kitty friend for her! Whether you build one yourself, your cat will love watching the birds, feeling the breeze and lounging in the grass – and you will feel reassured that your cat is safe.Â, [To get you started: here are 14 amazing catio ideas]. Second, you will want to find a carrier that they LOVE. Allowing your cat to have access to your whole house is a great thing, but sometimes a cat just wants to go to her own little space and have some alone time. By spaying and neutering, you eliminate this added stress on your pet cat while at the same time minimizing the allure of the outdoors and eliminating any chance that it could contribute to the unwanted cat population. Such an odd combination of playfulness and aloof independence, cats enrich our lives in innumerable ways. Let me know in the comments below how you show your cat you love them! If you plan on going out for a long weekend, your cat will need fresh food and water – and some attention. If your home doesn’t have a lot of window space, TV can be a fine substitute for the entertainment your cat would get from looking out a window.Â. Same with raw food – raw food is great for kitty’s teeth and gums, but might not give them everything they need.Â, If you’re confused (as most cat owners are) the best thing you can do is speak with your vet about what food combinations will help your pet the best given her medical history.Â, [If you’d like to know more about dry food, you can read our dry cat food post! Check out this interesting PetMD video on some things you might not know about catnip! I’m a USAF Veteran and I started this blog because I love animals & I want to use my background as a compulsive researcher to help provide legit/actionable info for you and your fur babes! So, if you want your cat to be happy indoors, you have to make a habit of scooping the litter twice a day. Cutting, trimming or grooming a cat’s whiskers is a huge no-no!Â, Don’t worry, they shed and grow back naturally much like our hair – so the best thing you can do is just to leave them be.Â. Dog owners sometimes use clickers or toys, but with cats, it’s all about the food. The best way you can give your cat a chance to maintain her claws is to give her certain areas that she is allowed to scratch. If that’s not possible for you, the minimum you should clean out your litter box is every other day.Â, The reasons behind cleaning your cat’s litter so often are:Â, Scooping the litter regularly also gives you a heads up on any medical issues your cat may be having, as you may notice their urine smells differently or their poop isn’t quite the same as it was last week (these are key indicators of something wrong.)Â. I like this one because it’s a normal bed which they can get used to, but then it has a dome enclosure that you can fasten to it that makes it into a carrier.Â, Third, you’ll want to take it little steps at a time.Â, Here are some guidelines for getting your cat travel-ready:Â. Microchipping your indoor cat may seem a bit odd to some, but it’s one of those investments you can make that will only ever benefit you! Another cat behavior rooted from feline instincts is hiding. The site offers information about lost cats and provides free home pages for your favorite cat How to Make Your Cat Happy: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Indoor cats require plenty of physical activity to avoid becoming overweight, therefore it is essential to regularly play with your cat to ensure they are getting enough exercise. Cats are creatures of habit, after all. Cats are natural athletes and it’s all too easy for an indoor cat to go stir crazy if it can’t work out that excess energy. A microchip is essentially a small information chip, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, that is inserted under your cat’s skin.Â, [Check out our microchipping post if like more information on getting a microchip for your cat!]. You can consider all kinds of ways to stimulate your cat’s hunter senses:Â, It’s totally fine if you want your cat to be an indoor cat (using indoor cat enclosures), but there are definitely some advantages to allowing your cat some time outside in the sun and fresh air.Â. Tips to make an indoor cat happy #1 You can create more space in the house. The reason that domesticated cats kill so many birds and small mammals is that those animals are the natural prey of their ancestor, a small wild cat species found in parts of Africa, Asia and Europe called the wildcat (Felis silvestris). Litter Box. With patience, you can teach your cat to walk on a leash. You know the dangers of letting your cat outside (like cars and predators – whether animal or human), but do you worry that an indoor cat can never truly be happy? Always spay and neuter your pet cats. 23. Not every cat at every life stage will react well to a new pet in your home – and your job as “human” is to decide if your cat really needs a companion. Did you also know that a cat’s whiskers are able to detect even the smallest change in direction of the wind? If they ever escape or get lost, a microchip can make a happy reunion possible even if they lose his collar. Wild cats are natural climbers, pursuing prey into the trees and seeking high places when frightened. If you’re a cat lover, you know the relaxing pleasure of curling up on the couch with a furry friend purring in your lap. Whether you’re attempting to rescue a neighborhood stray or you’ve decided to keep your indoor/outdoor cat indoors for good, the change won’t be easy. One thing we can all do to help solve this problem is to keep our pet cats indoors. But as soon as I let them out, I see them drinking groundwater wherever they can find it. Urge Congress to Support It. You can grow catnip plants in pots in a sunny window for your kitty too. Your cat likely is used to having a chance to hunt and chase, smell new smells, and explore new places. Feeding your cat food that proves good for the gums and teeth, as well as using dental rinses and/or dental treats are also things you can do to help.Â, There are even toothbrush kits made for your cat!Â. Happy spots can consist of your bedroom drawers, your bathroom cupboards, the linen closet…the list of strange places your cat likes to nap goes on and on. This states that there are five things that you have to do to look after your pet in this case, of course, your cat. The decision on whether to keep your cat inside should be assessed on your cat’s.. personality, health, previous experience, home, local outside environment, and your own preferences. Cats love catnip (along with other cat-friendly plants as mentioned in one of the above points).Â. Especially long haired Cats. Giving your cat toys is one of the best ways to reward and occupy her.Â. There’s music just for cats?! Like I said, having your cat’s fur get matted, dirty or unkept will end up being a negative thing for both of you (because eventually, you will have to address it and if it’s gotten really bad, that can be a total disaster).Â. Cats love to hide. ), Doing research on your pets allow you to dive into their world and really get to know what they need.Â, Research on health issues, breed behavior and indoor cat needs (wink, wink) can help you be a better pet-parent!Â. I’m sure I’m not alone! There are lots of things you can do to keep your indoor cats happy and avoid health and behaviour issues. to prevent your cat from using your bed, bathroom or living room carpet as their litter box. Try varying the scratching material, too. This is a real cat sign of affection and comfort known as the cat kiss.Â, Understanding your cat’s language can be difficult, but there are so many ways of communicating with your pets and you might just be amazed at how strong your bond is after you open up that dialog.Â. Make sure your indoor cat has at least 2 trays (in a multi-cat household, give 1 tray for each cat, plus 1 …  or DIY levels for your cat can add to her space without taking away from yours!Â. This solves that problem.Â, Do you know who hates being spied on, disturbed or doing their business in a space that’s not private? Getting out cat urine stains and the odor isn’t easy, though! A regular fence may not prevent other animals from entering your yard, so you should always be present when you allow your cat … You can indulge that attraction by setting up a bird viewing station inside. When inhaled, nepetalactone is interpreted by the feline olfactory system as a natural cat pheromone. Steps To Make Your Housecat Happy. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use, enormous toll that free-ranging domesticated cats take on wildlife, order a variety of bird feeders and baths, National Wildlife Federation: 85 Years Advancing Conservation, Oxford Living Shoreline – Where Innovation Meets Community Science, Celebrating the Expansion of Flower Garden Banks Marine Sanctuary, Growing A Sustainable Future for Agriculture, Mapping Invisible Barriers: A Frontier in Conservation, A primer on the federal oil and gas leasing pause, The City of Los Angeles: Leaders in Biodiversity Protection. When your cat is scratching in an area you don’t want her to be scratching, try to refrain from using negative re-enforcement with her because this is a natural urge that just needs to be redirected towards something she is allowed to scratch. When domesticated cats prey on wild birds and other wildlife they are simply following their natural instinct. In this article I’m going to talk about how to make your Cat happy. Never pull on the leash. Ecologically, however, the effect of that predation is anything but natural and has even resulted in the wildlife extinctions. Your cat might be more inclined to listen and behave well if you use a positive technique rather than a negative one.Â, There are a few ways of doing this, so I’m going to quickly break down some things you should do and some things you shouldn’t do if you’re interested in positive re-enforcement training for your kitty cat.Â, Giving your cat the ability to learn new things can actually benefit her and strengthen your relationship with your pet.Â. Many of our human homes are designed to entertain us but do very little for our cats. Good fences = happy kitties. Cleanliness and eating habits. Deciding to keep your cat indoors happens for a variety of different reasons: Keeping your indoor cat happy, healthy and active can take a bit of patience, work and effort on your part.Â. Indoor cats not only can be healthier than outdoor cats, but they also can have just as much fun. Finding where these odors are coming from can be a bit tricky, but using a special blacklight can help you find them! There’s nothing wrong with showing love for your pets! Including your cat in family traditions or photos may seem a bit “crazy cat lady” but I firmly believe we all have that side to us, why not embrace it?! pressing their ears down against their head. Obviously, you will have thought about the need for food, water, elimination, and warmth, but have you considered your cat's need to hunt, play, and explore, its need to be able to retreat and hide and its need to feel in control. Brushing your cat’s hair might seem a bit mundane (and in the beginning, she may not take lightly to it) but it’s really for her happiness. Another way to give your kitty some fresh air is to install a “catio.” A catio is an enclosed structure that you can install in your yard or on your deck or patio to give your cat some time outside without having to put it on a leash or putting wildlife in danger (or your cat in danger from wildlife). A healthy diet fuels a happy life. Subscribe to comment replies via e-mail. Make your bed. When that’s the case, hiring a pet sitter is totally worth it! ), Keeping a clean litter box is one of the best things you can do for your cat. As such, to make your indoor cat feel happy and satisfied, provide some places where they can hide from the world. Learn how to improve your cat's indoor enrichment in this simple guide. Consider building or purchasing a "catio" or similar enclosure to allow your cat to get a taste of the outside without the risks. Contrary to popular belief, cats do not need to experience the great outdoors in order to have a happy and full life! It’s up to us to prevent it. That’s why they make so many different ones. Your cat. Simply install a cat window perch and put up a bird feeder or bath right outside the window. While you’ve decided to have your cat live strictly indoors, it doesn’t mean her need for hunting, climbing, and chasing has vanished! Keep the tray clean in a quiet, safe place. Instead, slowly wind the game down by moving the toys slower or putting some of them away. In this case, a good charity like Cats Protection can find them a new home and probably find you a cat that needs to live indoors – elderly, handicapped or FIV positive. For more on dangerous houseplants (including what symptoms to look for if you think your cat has ingested one of these plants), watch the video below! Treats will motivate your cat and can be great tools in terms of training.Â, Check out this video below to see how this guy trained his two adorable cats to behave while he cooks and to shake paws before they sit down for dinner.Â, Instead of booking your furry friend into a pet-sitter the next time you go on an adventure – why not take her with you?!Â. • Make available a window seat or a chair that sits high enough to look out on the trees or the lawn. Everything in moderation, right? Or DIY levels for your cat from using your bed, bathroom or living room carpet as litter... Poems and funny stories is bound to entertain us but do very for. On August 1, 2019 December 9, 2020 - this is the most toys... Fell in love with the harness and leash, it ’ s super important anything. Cattery ” so your cats from dashing out the video below for an easy DIY cat perch tutorial enrichment this!, running and climbing skills. the case, hiring a pet sitter is totally worth it in... 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To ensure your pet is healthy is absolutely key to pay attention to it in. My comments keep the tray clean in a well-lit, quiet part of your home just. Once seemed weird, but it can also keep them from contracting toxoplasmosis as many outdoor cats.. Cat to do it yourself a well-lit, quiet part of your home the neighborhood lives... Types of cat food ” post here outdoor cats do entertain the welfare! One, or the lawn lives in innumerable ways or putting some of them.! Moving it to a cat litter in low traffic, private area of your home, sure... Really think there is no basis for the theory that your cat by understanding their language but also... Her as well and play together at least twice a day they ever or.

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