Feline friends, cat lovers and kitty parents who are looking for new and effective ways to keep your cat entertained and stimulated: you might want to keep reading. Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or a seasoned pro wishing to know about new and safe activities for your pet, here are some ideas and imaginative ways to keep your furry friend occupied.
Window Views
One of the most obvious solutions is also one of the most effective: make sure your cat has access to and the space to look out of some windows. A window view is one of the safest ways to provide your cat with a stimulating activity that’s practically guaranteed to keep them engaged for hours on end. This could mean purchasing a cat tree to place nearby, hanging a kitty hammock or even placing an end table in front of a higher-up window.
Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is an activity that can prove to be fun for your pet and maybe even yourself! You can start by hiding treats or toys around the house, encouraging your cat to move around and explore the house to find their treasure. This activity can also be very useful to keep your cat entertained while you work or go on a quick vacation.
Interactive Play Time
Let’s be real: there are a million cat toys out there. Interactive play time with your cat can help you get to know your cat better and choose toys they might enjoy most. Taking the time to research a cat toy that will help keep them occupied and engaged will be well worth your while. Try puzzle feeders, remote bird toys, or some form of an automatic feather mover.
Toy Boxes
Time for a little DIY! Cats have strong hunting instincts and love to “dig” and find things. You can make an activity for them to practice this instinct by recycling old and unused boxes and cutting out holes to put toys and treats in. You can even stack boxes to provide some fun climbing for them (be sure to secure the boxes for safety!). This can be a cheaper alternative to some of the options listed above, as well as customizable depending on your space. You can even add old blankets to help create a calming and safe space for your cat to go to.
To learn more and grab some other ideas, check out these resources at the ASPCA Pro and Animal Humane Society websites.
~ Erin Daehler