When having to leave your furry friend at home all day, can create a little separation anxiety from both owner and pet. The pets get bored and try to get into mischief, and pet owners have guilt for leaving their cats in an empty, lonely house. Here are four ways to keep your indoor cat busy.
Building The Fun Zone
Having a fun zone for your cat will always keep them entertained for a bit. In California, not all of us have room to give our cats their only play room, but we can offer them a corner of the house. A good thing you can get from the pet store is a cat tower. These are carpeted climbing posts that cat can claw exercises and climb post for the cat to perch. Some racks can be placed on the window so the cat can see outside. Sometimes having a bird feeder can give the cat a day of entertainment or possibly frustration.
There is a way for your cat to go outside while still being inside the house. You can have windows jutting outside for the cat to lay and watch what is going on outside.
Get A “Buddy”
Some cat owners may have only one cat. If they are friendly with other animals, it might be a good idea to adopt a buddy. Be careful in taking a new pet when your first cat is used to being the only child. Pet MD recommends bringing another pet around when your cat is young than when they are old and established. When two cats are together, they can invent games to play with each other even if you are not there.
Puzzles and Snacks
Puzzle toys can keep your cat entertained for hours. Any pet store sells these toys that you can stuff food and treats, so when the cat manipulates the toy a certain way the treat falls out. This exercise helps strengthen the intelligence and muscles of your pet.
Soothing Sounds
Having soothing music always helps both pet and pet owner. It is recommended to have classical music with strings and woodwinds. We do not recommend trumpets or drums because these sounds can stress the animal out.
Sure, your cat is probably more than happy to spend her day alone. She needs her rest after a long night of sleeping, but enriching her environment with some extra toys, visual distraction, music or companions will probably end up being one of your greater ideas. If nothing else, it will ease your guilty conscience and make you a happier pet owner.