catmando.blog

I’m no Sigmund “Fur-oid,” but I do want to add my two cents in helping your furry friend maintain its mental and physical health and “purr-sonality” when you are not there for him or her.

Most people do not consider the thought of doing something deliberately to keep your cat entertained while you are away or asleep. The problem is, even though we all know cats are independent, the second you bring one into your house or apartment, you become responsible for their mental and physical health. This requires making conscious decisions regarding their stimulation and ensuring any engagement they have improves their health and happiness. No matter whether you are at work or on vacation, it is essential to ensure your furry friend is entertained. Just like humans, cats are affected by stress, and can experience health and even behavioral problems when not kept engaged and entertained.

We, as humans or pet owners, may think it is fun to flash a laser pointer around the room and watch your furry friend chase it with no regard to obstacles or barriers. To us, lasers are fun, but to cats, they are a necessity or at least toys like this are. These toys and games can challenge your cat mentally and physically, providing hours of entertainment.

Puzzle feeders, for example, can stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts. These feeders require cats to work to get their food, which keeps them occupied and mentally sharp. Similarly, automated toys that mimic the movement of their prey can keep your cat chasing and pouncing, providing physical exercise and mental stimulation.

My son-in-law has a large cat wheel set up for his furry friend and also built a “cat wall” complete with a high perch to allow his cat to “get away” from people or my daughter’s dog.

Other cat-friendly devices include cat trees, scratching posts, and window perches. These can provide the entertainment needed to help maintain their sanity. Cats love to climb and explore, so giving them vertical space with multiple levels can help keep them active. Window perches allow them to observe the outside world, which can be particularly stimulating if there’s a lot of bird or squirrel activity outside. Again, my son-in-law has a front door with windows at his cat’s eye level which allows “Poots” to see what is going on in her yard at any given time.

So when talking about toys in today’s world, we cannot forget about the television or audio stimulation. Many cats love spending time watching birds, fish, or other small animals. There are a number of “Apps” for our tablets or even inexpensive cat laptops that can be used to keep them entertained for hours. If you use these, remember to alter the image or video periodically to keep your furry friend’s interest. As for audio, try background noise that is calming and reassuring. I would not recommend spying on your cat and trying to talk to them through the speaker on the camera as this may only increase any anxiety they are already experiencing at being left alone.

You may see many Instagram and Facebook videos today talking about someone who got a cat, but then could not stop at just one and they end up getting several. Some of this theory is not bad. If you have the type of job or personal life that takes you away from your home or apartment for any length of time, it might just make sense to get a companion for your furry friend. However, I would not recommend introducing this new companion all at once. It should be done as gradually as possible to allow their friendship to grow over time. Suddenly introducing another cat could spell disaster as they fight over territory, food, and even your affection. Gradually allow them to adjust to each other and their new surroundings. Once they become friends, they will easily entertain themselves when you are not around.

I know I mentioned cameras. These are great and help provide a sense of connection while you are gone. These cameras allow you to interact with your furry friend and keep them company, remotely. Again, while I am not a cat psychologist, I would argue that talking to them over the camera’s speaker will only cause them to miss you more. I have witnessed this firsthand.

Several years ago, while in Europe, I peeked in on our cat in the middle of the night. As usual, I found her sleeping on the back of the couch. Without thinking, I turned on the microphone and said, “kitty kitty.” That poor thing instantly woke up jumped off the couch and came running to the sound of my voice. I am sure she was sad that it was just the camera making the noise, but personally, I felt terrible for giving her false hope. It almost ruined my trip.

Going back to pet cameras. There are some now that actually provide entertainment. These can be programmed to flash their lasers, move or dangle a tempting toy. Try one of these to help keep your friend occupied during your absence.

As any good pet owner, you will be spending time with your household companion. These furry friends require anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes of playtime a day. This is your responsibility. If for some reason you cannot fulfill this obligation, think outside the box and look for options that can help your furry friend stay engaged.

A well-entertained cat is less likely to develop behavioral problems and will be a happier, healthier companion when you return home.