November 12th is World Animal Enrichment Day. A big part of any proper pet care regimen is making sure that your animal companion is getting the stimulation and entertainment they need to stay happy. While our feline pals may spend a rather exorbitant amount of time sleeping, they do need enrichment to stay happy, healthy, and purring. A local Ellicott City, MD vet offers some advice on kitty entertainment in this article.
Window Seats
Birdwatching, unsurprisingly, is a very popular activity among our feline companions. Even if Fluffy wouldn’t know what to do if a bird landed right in front of her, she’ll still enjoy spying on local wildlife. Provide her with a comfy spot in front of a window with a good view. Your furball may spend hours relaxing and watching what’s going on outside!
Boxes
Kitties are very curious. (Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement: they’re actually downright nosy.) Simply giving Fluffy empty boxes and grocery bags (with the handles cut off) to explore can keep her occupied.
Toys
Fluffy ideally should have different types of toys, including some she can use by herself and others you would play with together. You can’t go wrong with classics, like small balls or catnip mice. Of course, there are also lots of great modern options, like remote-controlled playthings, smart toys, and laser pointers. Keep in mind that kitties all have their own tastes when it comes to playthings. Try different things, and change your furball’s toys out regularly.
Plants
Many cats love to sniff at and nibble on plants. Check the ASPCA site here to verify whether yours are toxic or not. As long as you’re sure that all of your plants are safe, there’s nothing wrong with this. Just be cautious with placement: don’t set plants up so that your playful pet could pull a heavy pot onto herself by batting at a leaf.
Purrniture
You may have noticed that our feline overlords tend to be very fond of high places. Fluffy doesn’t have much of a view from ground level! Kitties often love cat towers, which are also helpful as they make great scratching posts.
Tech Toys
Did you know that turning a radio on for Fluffy before you leave can help keep her from getting bored? Your kitty may even enjoy watching documentaries made just for cats.
Interaction
Last but certainly not least, it’s important for you to interact with your furry friend. Make time to talk, pet, and play with Fluffy every day, and just make sure she feels loved.
Do you have questions about your kitty’s health or care? Contact us, your Ellicott City, MD animal hospital, anytime!
