According to The American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 37 million U.S. households have cats. Keeping our felines active and engaged is very important for their health and welfare. Many feline behaviorists will divide a cat’s environment into five systems: space, nutritional, elimination, social, and behavioral.
Their space should include safe and quiet resting areas, often away from dogs and other household pets. Some of these should include perches and higher vantage points, which can make our kitties feel protected. We try to maintain some predictability in a cat’s space, as they often do not like change in routine.
Nutrition is important for any household pet, but especially cats. It is recommended that a commercial diet is fed as homemade diets are impossible to balance for cats. Unfortunately, while kibble/canned food provides the right nutrition, it does not satisfy the need for hunting. To help mimic hunting behaviors, owners can introduce food puzzles. Hollow toys can be filled with canned food as another option. This can also help decrease obesity by making them work for their dinner. Most cats prefer smaller, more frequent meals to imitate the small prey they would normally hunt in the wild.
Inappropriate elimination in cats is a common issue we see in veterinary medicine. Wild felines will eliminate in open spaces where they can see their surroundings. We can mimic this in the home by using large and open litter boxes. Most cats like their litterboxes to be in a quiet area of the home and be cleaned frequently, or they may choose to go elsewhere.
Some felines are more social than others. They can view all members of the home differently. Some humans and dogs they can see as a threat, other cats in the home may be perceived as competition, and smaller pets may be seen as prey. Letting cats choose how long and often to socialize with members of the home may be favorable to their wellbeing. Some cats prefer to cuddle and be petted, while others may only like to play with their owners. Each cat will have a different preference.
Domesticated cats have similar behaviors to wild cats; they need to scratch and chew. Providing several types of scratching posts or mats can be useful for cats, and for saving your furniture. Some cats prefer vertical scratching posts, while others prefer horizontal. There are also different preferences for materials such as sisal, carpet, wood or cardboard. Testing out different orientations and materials can help determine the best post for your cat. Diverse types of toys can help with chewing and simulating hunting behavior. Offering cat-safe plants like catnip or grasses can be helpful as well. Rotating toys keeps them interested.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to feline enrichment is figuring out what works best for each cat and household. Not every cat will like the same things. Finding their preferences can help build a better and happier home.