Entertain Your Indoor Cats During the Quarantine: Tips for Happy and Healthy Pets

Living with indoor cats during the quarantine can be a joyful experience, but it also presents a challenge: keeping your feline friends engaged and happy. This comprehensive guide offers practical tips and ideas to ensure your cats are content and enrich their indoor lives.

Creating an Enriching Environment for Your Indoor Cats

First and foremost, a healthy and stimulating environment is crucial for indoor cats. Here are some essential elements to consider:

Healthy Environment

Window Seats: Set up window seats with a bird or squirrel feeder outside. This will give your cat visual enrichment and entertainment. Safe Plants: Introduce cat-friendly plants that can improve their wellbeing and provide a sense of security. Scents: Use scents like honeysuckle, lavender, thyme, and valerian root once a week to keep your home smelling fresh and stimulating. Interesting Spaces: Create various levels with cat trees, tunnels, and hideouts. Vertical space exploration is highly beneficial. Treat Puzzle: Offer weekly treat puzzles to engage their minds and problem-solving skills.

Optional but highly beneficial:

Catio: Build a secure outdoor area for your cats to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight.

Establishing a Daily Routine

Cats thrive on routine and predictability. Implementing a consistent schedule can help reduce their stress and keep them happy:

Schedule: Designate specific times for meals and play sessions. Mealtimes: Feed cats twice a day, with additional feedings for kittens, elderly cats, and those with health issues. Mealtimes should be fun and interactive. Play: Engage in vigorous play sessions with your cats twice a day, preferably before meal times. Communication: Train your cat to understand basic commands and signals to improve communication. Harness: Get your cat used to a harness and leash for outdoor adventures.

Signs of Boredom and Unfavorable Behaviors

It is essential to recognize the signs that your indoor cats might be bored or stressed. Here are some symptoms to watch for:

Boredom: Cats may become lethargic, lose interest in playtime, or become more dependent on human interaction. Stress: Indicators of stress can be aggression, issues with toileting, and destructive behavior. Depression: Signs of depression include loss of appetite, lethargy, and isolation.

Stimulating Your Cat's Environment

Provide your cat with opportunities to look out the window and observe the outside world. Squirrel and bird feeders at the window can offer your cat visual stimulation and delight. Use appropriate toys to keep them engaged and mentally stimulated:

Toys: Offer toys that hang from doorknobs or door frames for independent play. Cat Tunnels: Help your cat hide before pouncing on toys. Cat Trees: Provide tall perches for watching the outside world. Cat Shelves: Add extra perching spots for your cat to explore.

To ensure your cat's comfort, provide cozy beds or pads, especially if your cat spends a lot of time sleeping:

Heating Pads: Use heat-reflecting pads to keep your cat warm and comfortable.

Indoor cats can adapt well to spending time alone while their humans work or attend to other activities. Stick to a regular schedule to help your cat adjust.

When you return home from being away, take some time to bond with your cat. Extra cuddles and pets will make your cat feel valued and loved.