Many times, the fast pace of our day to day does not allow us to dedicate as much time to our felines as we would like. Therefore, most domestic cats spend long hours alone, which can result in an animal with symptoms of boredom and accumulation of stress
In addition to promoting behavioral problems, a sedentary lifestyle is a serious risk factor for numerous diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, as well as such as cardiovascular problems. And don't forget that a cat stimulated during the day means better nights sleep for its guardians.
Does your cat spend a lot of time alone and you wonder how to entertain him while you're away? Well, you've landed on the perfect page! In this article on our site, we offer you some practical and effective tips to keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated during your absence.
Enriching your cat's environment
When a cat is left alone and has no one to play with, it is very important that it has an enriched environment to be able to exercise its body and mind, and not get bored. The concept of environmental enrichment is very broad and encompasses different factors that allow us to offer a better quality of life to our kittens. To enrich your cat's environment, you can use objects (toys, scratching posts, climbing shelves, hiding places), and stimuli sensory, such as smells, images and interactive toys that awaken and stimulate the senses of felines.
However, it is very important that you do not overload your cat's environment so as not to confuse him or limit his space for movement. The feeding, cleaning, rest and fun areas must be separated from each other, to allow better hygiene and respect the needs of our kittens.
Toys and accessories to entertain a cat left alone
At pet supply stores, you can find many toys, scratching posts, hideouts and play structures for cats. However, you can also use your creativity to make your own homemade DIY toys to entertain and tire your cat, using recycled materials.
Also, on our site, we teach you how to make a super fun homemade scratching post for your kittens. On the other hand, remember that cats are capable of having fun with a simple cardboard box to make their hiding place, especially if you can put it in the highest areas of the home, which are the favorites of our cats.
We must remember the importance of guaranteeing the safety of the pussycat when choosing or making a toy for it. We must not offer objects that are small in size or that contain very small pieces or decorations. These items can get stuck in your feline's throat, creating a choking hazard. In addition, the ingestion of foreign and non-digestible bodies favors the development of irritations and diseases of the digestive tract, such as gastritis.
We must also ensure that activities do not become frustrating for our kitties. Games of chasing a laser light, for example, offer an unreachable prey to the feline, which generates frustration and irritability after many hours of play. Positive and fun activities for a cat are those that allow him to exercise his instincts and enjoy the success of reaching his goal
Visual stimuli
The simplest way to provide visual stimulation to a cat is to leave a window open through which it can look outside. Ideally, the feline observes the movement of people and other animals, as well as the natural stimuli of the environment. But it is important that this view is not directed at unreachable prey, such as pigeons or other birds, as this would generate enormous frustration in our kitties.
Olfactory stimulation
Your cat's smell is incredibly powerful, and plays an important role in his understanding of the world and how he interacts with the environment. Therefore, it is very important to stimulate this sense of our kittens. The famous catnip (or catnip) is usually very effective for olfactory stimulation in domestic felines.
What if my cat gets bored playing alone?
If you spend a lot of time away from home, he may get tired of playing alone with the same toys and show signs of boredom again. If this happens, it may be a good time to think about giving him a mate of his own kind. However, it is very important that you know the personality of your kitty and consider whether living with another individual will do him good. If you perceive that your kitty has good sociability, you can adopt a cat so that they can have fun together during your absence.
It is worth remembering that it is essential that the cat be properly socialized with other felines, so that it accepts as much as possible the arrival of a new cat in its territory. In addition, it will be necessary to know how to correctly introduce the new cat to your feline, to stimulate a good coexistence in your home.
Also remember that your kitties should not be forced to share their objects and environments, so each of them should have their own toys, feeders, waterers, sandboxes and rest areas.
Remember to enjoy every moment with your kitty
Even if you provide the best toys and sensory stimuli to your kitty, his physical and mental well-being will also depend on the attention and affection that you offer daily. Therefore, do not let yourself be overcome by fatigue or stress after a day of work. Reserve half an hour a day to play with your kitty and create quality moments that will do enormous good for both of your he alth.
There are many fun and simple activities you can do together with your cat, such as playing ball or hide-and-seek, using the "magic wand" to stimulate their hunting instinct, or suggesting a "fishing adventure " by throwing his favorite toy tied on a string to arouse his curiosity and the desire to catch his "prey". Always remember to reinforce your kitty with a treat or a caress to recognize his effort and encourage him to continue learning and discovering new experiences.
