Enrichment for indoor cats.
Leo enjoys the Sunday paper. Photo: Dr Jo Righetti, Pet Problem Solved
Indoor cats have many benefits. These cats live longer and safer lives than cats who are allowed to hunt and explore outdoors. Enrichment (mental and physical stimulation) such as games and toys for indoor cats is important to replace some of the stimulation and activity it would otherwise receive as a free-roaming animal.
Cat vet, Dr Kim Kendall and Dr Robert Holmes explain further about cats and the indoor life. Dr Kim says on her blog, “Outdoor cats indoor pets”, cats can be happily kept inside all the time. Many people do so and would have it no other way. They say they have deeper and more satisfying relationships with their cats, and the cats are healthier and live longer. Keeping cats permanently indoors requires more effort on your part according to Dr Kim.
Dr Robert Holmes. a contributor to Dr Kim’s blog says that we can enrich the daily life of the indoor cat to replace some of the stimulation and activity it would otherwise receive as a free-roaming animal.
The environmental enrichment for indoor cats puts complexity, unpredictability and choices into a cat’s daily life. Without these things, many animals and people become frustrated in confinement and show signs of boredom – greater reactivity, irritability and exaggerated or unusual behaviour.
The Cat Protection Society recommends to keep cats either indoors all the time or outdoors in a securely fenced area and inside from dusk to dawn.
More on enrichment for indoor cats
Enrichment toys for indoor cats.
9 Tips for apartments living with indoor cats
