Make Your Cat Happy at Home
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ar eyou an away-from-home cat person? Are you glued to your desk for much of the workday and can’t bring your feline friend with you? If so, then you probably don’t get to see your kitty as often as you’d like. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your cat happy at home – even when you can’t be there with them. There are many cats who live their entire life indoors and thrive. With a little bit of planning and some ideas on how to make your cat happy at home, they will love spending a lot of time in their own home as well. For something so small, cats have big needs when it comes to staying contented and fulfilled. As independent creatures, they won’t call out for attention or expect a walk outside every day but they do require stimulation, enrichment and the opportunity to climb, scratch, pounce and play.
Keep a Comfortable Space for Your Cat
Cats are very particular about their sleeping and resting spots. You might have noticed that your cat will have a very distinct place in the house where they like to sit and relax. You may have even seen them curl up in a special spot and take a nap. If your cat has a special place, make sure you don’t move it around or change it so it will stay special for your cat. If your cat doesn’t have a special place in your home, it’s worth trying to make one by providing a comfortable bed or resting spot. You can do this by placing a cat tree or perch near a window where your cat likes to look out or somewhere they can sit and watch birds or wildlife in your yard.
Provide Opportunities for Physical Exercise
Cats love to climb, scratch, pounce and jump – just like we do. But, as with everything else, if you’re not doing it for them then they’ll probably start to lose interest. Cats need to jump, climb and scratch things to maintain strength in their legs and core muscles. They also need to do this to shed their claws. If your cat is indoors most of the time then they probably won’t be scratching things like they would in the wild. Still, it’s important to provide your cat with opportunities for exercise and scratching. Try to rotate different scratching posts and mats so your cat doesn’t get bored of them. You can also try putting a cardboard scratcher pad on the floor. This is great for providing a scratching surface while also being a good place to shed claws.
Rotate Scratching Posts and Objects
Cats love to scratch, but they also get bored scratching the same objects. One way to avoid this is to rotate the scratching posts in your house so they don’t get scratched out. You can find posts made of different materials such as sisal, cardboard, wood or even fabric. You can also rotate the scratchers you have inside, or you can try scraping a wooden board or a log with a knife. Cats love to scratch outside, too. If you have a fenced-in yard, try putting a scratching post outside for them to use.
Add a Comfy Place to Sleep
Cats are often portrayed as being lazy creatures, but they actually need to get plenty of sleep. In fact, cats spend about 16 hours per day sleeping. They do this for a number of reasons, including conserving energy so they can hunt, the need to regulate their body temperature and caring for their muscles, bones and joints. Cats also tend to nap frequently and assume a resting position that mimics being held by the nape of the neck. Having a comfy place to sleep is another big need that many cats have. As such, it’s a good idea to have a few different places your cat can curl up in. This can be inside a cat bed or a cat hammock. It can also be a blanket on the couch or a soft rug.
Install a Window Hammock
Cats love to look out the window. It gives them a great view of the world and a chance to see birds, squirrels and other wildlife. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous for cats to sit at a regular window. If they push their head out too far, they can fall and get injured. This is particularly common in kittens and cats that
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