Keep indoor cats happy

Every cat is different and for each one who wants to go a-roaming there is another who likes being indoors best of all.  If the environment outside is risky, because of traffic is the main reason, then keeping your cat inside is the best option.  Cats get killed and injured by cars every day.  If you are near a busy road there is little chance of your pet surviving.    Some cats hate to be inside and another safe home must be found for these bold adventurers – a lifetime of looking out of the window won’t do.  Allowing access to the outdoors provides opportunity to play and climb and hunt.  Cats can have a normal life and relate naturally to other cats which is an important factor.

Timid cats are often better suited to life indoors and why some kits are born with a nervous disposition is something we don’t yet know.    These cats like the close companionship of a human carer and to feel safe in their own little world.   Tortie, shown above, does go outside sometimes but she prefers to be indoors.   You can enrich an indoor cat’s environment by providing natural features and making life as interesting as possible. Grow grass in trays on a windowsill, cats like to eat it and it helps them to get rid of fur balls.    If you put catnip toys out you will find that your cat goes wild at the scent, even Tortie, who is a middle aged ladycat, gets very excited when she sees a new catnip mouse.    Playing with your cat provides exercise and fishing rod toys and ping pong balls are good fun.   Choose the moment though and make it for short bursts of time only.   Cats can get frenzied with too much game playing.

Do you have a window you can mesh over so that your cat can get fresh air and smell the great outdoors?   This is healthful and calming and a wire screen isn’t too difficult or expensive to make.   Access to a cat patio is even better.  Cats love to sit out in the sun and do a spot of birdwatching especially when they know they are in a secure environment.

Persuading cats to take enough exercise is one of the indoor cat problems.  Try putting a small amount of food (biscuits) in several different places – ‘I’ll just pop up to the attic for some fish and rice’. If you just plonk all the food down in a dish in the kitchen your cat will eat it up and then take a siesta, piling on the pounds in the process.  Cats are good at sussing out where there are likely to be tasty morsels so a food trail helps.

A cat tower will be popular and if you can make one yourself with natural wood, complete with bark, your cat will like it even more.   Use fallen wood if possible, a good natural shape is a work of art.   Providing as much indoor diversity as possible is the key to having a happy and interested cat.   Don’t forget the cat hammocks, they’re excellent for after dinner naps!