Feline Environmental Enrichment
Here are some excellent ways of helping your cats enjoy life in your home almost as they would in their natural wild habitat.
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Bulky, chewy foods can help satisfy the need to chew
- High fiber diets like prescription diet w/d can help.
- Dog chew toys like rawhides can keep indoor cats occupied. If your cat doesn't take to them right away try soaking them in water.
- Bones w/ meat attached. Avoid poultry bones. Beef bones work best.
- Hiding small amounts of dry food in jars beneath furniture in different places in your home. If this helps keep your cat occupied I suggest moving these around to different places.
- Rotate the toys/bones. Cats need constant variety. These things need to change daily to stay effective.
- Twist and treat toys are available at www.premier.com. (Click on products, then Busy Buddy Toys, then Twist and treat.) These toys allow you to pack dry food mixed with something tasty and gooey like peanut butter or Cheez Whiz. Try giving them to your cat at room temperature and frozen to see which way he/she likes them better.
- A floor-to-ceiling cat tree with platforms, or better-carpet covered enclosures with hidey holes.
- Floor-to-ceiling cat trees with platforms and hidey holes are best. Go to the Foster and Smith website. Here is the link.
- Bird house or feeder with suction cups stuck to the outside of the window near her high perch near a window. These have a two way mirror so your cat can watch the birds and stay occupied.
- Feathers-on-a stick toys are very good for interaction. These must be rotated.
- Tying feathers to a string on your ankle. This keeps cats occupied as you walk around the house.
- A children’s fishing pole with a toy or feathers tied to the end of the fishing line is a fun way to play. You can cast a toy across the room and reel it in at different speeds to exercise your cats.
- Laser pointer on the floor or wall.
- Don't expect these toys to divert your cat's attention once she has started to chew fabric or other items. They work as healthy alternatives when she isn't.
- Spray Feliway on items that you cannot keep in inaccessible places. While Feliway does not have a bad taste it may cause your cat to regard these items differently and stop chewing them.
- Feliway is not a drug and it has no odor. It is a synthetic analog of a pheromone that is naturally secreted by cats.
- Feliway has a calming affect on cats. It will not cause sedation.
- Feliway is available at PetSmart under the brand name Comfort Zone. It is on display near the supplements.
Finally, you could consider letting your indoor cats go outside-IF you were sure they could not get out of your yard. Consider having an Invisible Fence installed: 1-800-385-7387 (505- 265-4007 in New Mexico)
Contact me through my web site if you need individual help.
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