Catifying your home: environmental enrichment for cats

Previous post we wrote about the importance to keep our cats indoor and prevent them from going outdoors. This week we’ll write about how to make our home an attractive place for our cats. We will call it “catify” our house, which is known as environmental enrichment.

We don’t need a huge budget to catify our house, although money always makes life easier. But most of environmental enrichment elements can be made with things we currently have at home such as the carton in the toilet paper or boxes. Of course we can buy them. There are options for all budgets and tastes.

Scratching post

It s a basic element for every house where a cat lives. There are many models from the simplest one, consisting in a post covered with pita rope to the most sophisticated ones with several surfaces to scratch and multi-level shelters or integrated toys…

It should be placed in the area of the house where we spend our free time, such as de living room. Even there are such elaborate scratch posts, there is no need to spend a lot of money. Sometimes our cat is happy with just a box.

Also, multi-level scratch post can be made with carton boxes. Start buying a basic one and observe your cat’s reaction before considering to get a more expensive one.

Multi-level surfaces

Cats like to rest in high places, so they can control their cat kingdom. Even this can be achieved with multi level scratching post, also there are other options like hammocks that can be attached to the window, scratching post that can be attached to the window or even shelfs attached to the wall at different heights. Shelfs can be put forming a stair in the wall. Also normal bookshelves can be used. Cat shelves can be bought in pet shops or even in bricolage shops. Also there is the DIY option if we are handy.

Water fountains

No, it is not the fountain in your neighbour’s garden. Water fountain are water dishes in which water flows. It doesn’t only stimulates your dog’s mind but encourages them to drink more water (cats are reluctant to drink stagnant water, like in the drinking dish).

Water fountains, in addition to environmental enriching, help reducing the risk of developing renal illnesses as long as they increase the water intake. They are usually battery powered and can be charged like a mobile phone device. We haven’t found a DIY version but there are very decent versions for about 15€.

Interactive feeders

They are a whole world and it would cover a complete pots. By definition, interactive feeders are those in which te food is not disposed in a dish but the cat has to make some effort to get the food. There are many kinds, some in which the cat has to take de food with the paw, irregular surface and the cat has to take it out with the tongue… In addition to mind stimulating our cat, makes them eating slower, which contributes our cat to stay in a healthy weight.

There are all-budget options and all materials, also DIY version. Just one thing to keep in mind: make sure your cat knows how the feeder works before putting all the food in the interactive feeder. Also, in cats, changes should be always gradual.

Interactive toys

Includes every non- static toy. There are multiple options and budgets. They cover all sophistication levels. From toilet paper carton filled with cat snacks with a hole so snacks go out while the cat plays, to snack dispenser balls (pay version of the previous), balls with leds, wind up mouses, to remote- control toys.

Again, we strongly recommend to try first the economic options until you find the toy that suits best your cat.

Tunnels

Exactly that, like kid tunnels but cat-sized. In our opinion, best are those made of fabric sections: they can be washed and also allow to join several units and change the design (to make new designs when your cat gets bored). They also have a reasonable price.

Play with your cat

Even cats are supposed to be independent and not need their humans, that is no so. Cats need attention from their humans, especially if they’re only cats.

It is convenient to keep at least 20 minutes a day to play with our cats (the more time the better but at least 20’). We can use stick toys which consist in a wood stick with a elastic and a plush toy attached at the end, or synthetic feathers.

Also we can use a cat laser, but in this case make sure it is special for cats (a normal laser could cause severe damage in our cat eyes). Also whe you finish play it with the laser give your cat a ball or plush toy so he can hunt it.

And remember, no matter how many toys your cat has, you’re the favourite one.

Create a safe environment for your cat

Your house has to be a comfortable environment for your cat. Male sure there are no strong or sudden noises that could stress him/her, having a comfy bed for sleeping or relaxing, avoiding extreme temperatures both hot and cold and make sure your cat has no access to toxic plants (most of indoor ones are) like Easter plant, so common in these holydays.

We hope you found it useful.

And you, what tricks you have to catify your home? We reed you in comments.

Until next post, cat lovers!