Our windows have been shut for months now and we have settled in for the long winter anxious for spring and to get outside more.

Many cats don't get the opportunity for a diverse environment. They are indoor kitties and it's easy to get bored. However, we can help our furry felines keep those potential boredom blues at bay with a few simple things. At Pet Haven, mental enrichment and behavioral health are just as important to us as physical health. Often time they go hand in hand.

 

 

Enrichment is so important for a healthy happy feline.

First, remember to make time to play with your cat!

As much as cats love lounging about, most also love to play. As any cat owner knows, cats can be picky when it comes to toys, but just because they might not be ‘feline’ one toy, does not mean they don’t still have a desire for play.

 

Try a variety of reasonably priced toys to get a feel for what their favorite toys might be. Also, set a "playtime".

 

Cats love routine and thrive in it. If you set a regular playtime and stick to it they will quickly begin to play more and more knowing this is time time to engage with their person. They will come to enjoy this playtime and it will improve the bond between you both.

Next up, it’s important to remember that cats are natural-born hunters, so the more they feel like they are actually catching a real mouse or bird in the wild, the more engaged they will be in play! Try placing a few pieces of kibble around your home and varying the location each day to see if kitty finds them. In a similar fashion, do the same with plush mice and feather toys.

Try hiding toys just enough so a little feather or mouse tail is visible from behind a bookshelf to tickle her inner huntress. Treat toys and puzzles provide excellent mental stimulation for your cat and they don’t have to cost a fortune.

Try using cat-safe household supplies like paper cups to create your own DIY cat puzzle or treat toy.

 

On that note, when it comes to playtime with cats, you just can’t beat a good old-fashioned cardboard box.

From snuggle spots to castles, mazes, and more, the possibilities for fun are simply endless! Get creative and start building box enrichment for your kitty. Cutting "peek-holes" holes and small doors to poke out of. Crumpled paper with catnip sprinkled in is always a party!

 

 

There are many ways to keep your cat active and engaged the important thing is to do it!

 

Let 2022 be the year you invest in your cat's emotional well-being and engage in more enrichment and mental stimulation. Your felines will show their appreciation in the many fabulous ways they do!