Bored Cat Prevention

If it’s been many moons since your cat was a playful kitten, you might think your furry friend is content to sleep most of the day and needs little more than a few ear scratches or pats on the head.

If so, you’re likely wrong.

They won’t tell you – which is part of the feline charm – but challenging and mentally stimulating your cat can be good for them.

Consider: Has your cat adopted bad behaviors that seemingly came out of nowhere?

Is your cat peeing in your plants (or peeing anywhere outside the litter box, for that matter)? Is she suddenly scratching the furniture? Is he not getting along with another pet that used to be his pal?

It could be that you have a bored or lethargic pet, which might even be suffering from depression. While that might send some of you running off to the vet for prescription medicine, you’re better served by first trying to stimulate your cat on your own.

Here are some ideas:

Make sure your cat can look out the windows. Window beds or cat trees placed near a window allow your pet to check out squirrels, birds and other critters walking by, including other humans.
In the same vein, invest in a bird feeder. The entertainment is built in.
Cats like to climb, so give them the opportunity to do so. A cat tree is one easy solution.
Schedule time each day to play with your pet. You don’t have to set aside much time and can multi-task while you tend to the cat. Do you really need to devote your undivided attention to follow what’s going on with “The Bachelor? “ Instead, play with your cat while you watch.
Annoy your cat! Have you noticed how many commercial cat toys center around pestering your pet? Be creative and come up with a way to get Fluffy thinking.
When you’re out, hide some treats around the house. If your cat’s a chowhound, he’ll be on the trail in no time.
Try catnip. While it has no effect on some cats, most do love it.
Put some toys away so they seem new and exciting when you bring them out.
Get a scratching post. Scratching is an instinct (even in declawed cats), so give your pet the opportunity to scratch that itch (pun intended).