An indoor cat's life can be enhanced by ensuring six basic needs
Flickr photo courtesy of Kenneth Hynek
The environment that a feline is provided greatly influences their behavior and overall well-being, and most veterinary professionals will attest to the fact that indoor cats live longer and have healthier lives.
It's quite possible to create a stimulating environment for your cats, first by ensuring that six basic needs are met: personal space, water and food bowls, a bed, scratching and climbing posts, litter box and enrichment toys.
You might be wondering: Personal space? Cats like to have private little places to chill out and rest where they won't be bothered, just like we do. Most often, cats will let you know where they prefer to plant themselves. Cats like to perch up high (they feel safest this way), and they love to look outdoors. Cat trees are a great thing to invest in, but the back of a couch overlooking a window works great. For a bed, there are many on the market, and they're washable.
Aside from their usual spots, cats need a place to hide out when there are events happening, like when you are entertaining company. Remodeling your home? Consider the impact of having strangers in the house, making all sorts of awful, unfamiliar noise. Situations like these can be stressful—so thinking ahead and instituting a plan of action is smart.
Food and water bowls are pretty self-explanatory, but the type of bowl is integral as is the shape. A cat's whiskers are very sensitive. They are used to help them sense their surroundings. Because of the sensitivity of the whiskers, cats need a food dish that is shallow (1.5 inches deep) and at least five inches across. Ditto for water bowls. Felines don't like to have their whiskers touching the bowl as they dine or drink.
One thing that I hear frequently: "Cats are fairly independent; they pretty much take care of themselves." That statement couldn't be more wrong. I'm not sure why some have this idea; perhaps it's because cats don't need to be given potty breaks outdoors like dogs do, or that dogs just seem to demand one's attention differently. Cats need interaction with people. Interactive playtime, cuddling, talking, games—they are all integral. Cat toys of all kinds are great—identifying your cats' prey preferences can help them channel some of that energy—or motivate your furry friend to expend a few of those extra calories that have been stored up!
Drs. Paula Rode, DVM, and Amanda Critchfield, DVM, offered a great resource put together by Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in a comprehensive website, called the Indoor Cat Initiative, to help address cat owners' questions. Additionally, Gwen Bohnenkamp's book, "From The Cat's Point of View," is a great read for new cat owners, and her website is an amazing resource for understanding cats.
With the right information, you can proceed confidently with implementing new ways to enrich your favorite feline's life indoor experience.
Lorrie Shaw is a pet blogger, a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com and owner of Professional Pet Sitting. She has extensive experience with animals including dogs, amphibians, exotic birds and cats, and is always interested in learning new concepts in animal behavior and health. Contact her via e-mail.
Comments
Lorrie Shaw
Mon, Jun 28, 2010 : 8:50 p.m.
JMA2Y: Great points! Market day is fun at our home - our cat, Silver loves to hide out in empty paper bags. One day, I had inadvertently created a foraging toy for him. I set an empty cat food box next to the recycling bin, and he dragged it it and began trying to forage inside it to see if there were any leftover bits of food left inside. I tore some random holes in it, tossed in a handful of cat kibble and he was busy as a bee for over an hour. MjC: I certainly will be doing more articles on cats - there is so much to talk about! Thanks! :)
MjC
Sun, Jun 27, 2010 : 6:08 a.m.
Thanks for all the input about single cat care. It's very much appreciated. My guy is such a cool cat... I want him to have the best nine lives he can have. And Laurie, I hope you do another article about cats soon!
JMA2Y
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
I find that cats love anything that is considered new-an empty shopping bag that you just brought home (cut the handles so that they don't choke); an empty box; an empty clothes basket in the play area; string tied to door handles or safe areas from which to play with it-they will soon tire of the bag, box, basket, and string and that's when you can dispose of them and replace with new. Even moving their furniture to new spots is enticing.
Top Cat
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
My wife has been on the multiple cat bandwagon for 30 years. Their attitude toward each other is at best indifference and acceptance and at worst contempt and antagonistic. Perhaps it is different if they grow up together. Most cats are like Garbo and "vant to be alone."
Lokalisierung
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 1:32 p.m.
2 cats can be just as bad as 2 people. I've had mutliple cats that grew up together, 2 cats that did not, 1 old & 1 young etc... It's all hit or miss and depends on personalities. I had someone move in with me bringing a cat that my cat HATED, and the new cat kept trying to play with him and it was quite sad actually. If I were going to do 2 cats I would personally try to get thewm both young and grow up together...but you never know.
Lorrie Shaw
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
Gloriagirl: Thanks! I appreciate that. Be sure to let me know if there are an specific topics that you would like to see addressed - and check back often for new blog updates! TopCat: Agreed, cats do thrive in an outdoor setting. Unfortunately many folks do not have the luxury of being able to offer that to their felines. MjC: It's been a long held theory that cats do better in pairs, but it's understandable if in your case, it's not an option. Many cats do well as a singular force in the household, and much of that depends on their personality - and breed. (Some pure breds, specifically, must have a lot of interaction, or they act out terribly.) You can further enrich a solitary feline ensuring that if they need to spend a lot of time alone by creating fun things for them to do while you're away... like toys that encourage independent play (rotate toys often!), leaving catnip out on the floor for them to enjoy, leaving a radio on in your absence (talk radio is a great choice). The Indoor Cat Inititive has a lot of resources on their site to help solitary cat owners to create a nurturing environment. Also, here are a couple of links on related topics: http://www.annarbor.com/pets/its-estimated-by-the-american/ http://lorrieshaw.blogspot.com/2010/04/ping-pong.html
MjC
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
I agree with Top Cat, but I moved to an area that doesn't allow my cat to safely roam free outdoors (poor kitty). Ms. Shaw - any information about owning just one indoor cat? I really don't want to get another cat, but sometimes I wonder if my guy would be better off having a friend.
Gloriagirl
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
Thanks for the blog its great to have a weekly conversation about the pets that make our lives so rich. Keep up the good work, I enjoy reading these!
Top Cat
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
Cats belong in the great outdoors chasing rodents and matching wits with Officer Dibble.