Cats are pets that bring us great joy; we are always careful to give them the best food and attend to all their physical needs at the veterinarian. But the big question is: Is your cat happy?
Animal behavior science has concluded that it is not enough to give our cats food and a home and clean their litter box often. They also need what specialists call environmental enrichment. We have never stopped to think that our homes are designed for humans, but not for our pets.
If cats are in an environment where they cannot express their instincts, they may become stressed, bored, or anxious. Some of them hide these symptoms very well; however, we need to pay close attention to their behavior to determine whether the kitty is having a good or bad time. Some behaviors that may result from not being in a favorable environment are:
- Compulsive eating, leading to obesity.
- Excessive grooming, resulting in hairballs.
- Destroying furniture.
- Waking up their ARISTOPARENT in the middle of the night to receive attention.
- Isolation.
Research has also concluded that, if the problem is severe, they may develop problems when urinating. They may have difficulty relieving themselves and may do so outside their litter box. To prevent these problems, we will give you some tips for creating a healthy environment in your home.
1.Create a space where they feel safe. In nature, ARISTOCATS are both predators and prey. Being exposed without a place to hide can make them feel vulnerable and stressed. You can look for items such as an igloo, a box, or a cat tree.
2.Give them plenty of “Key Resources” in different areas of the house. When cats are in a situation they do not like, they first resort to escape. That is why you should turn your home into a place where they can stay entertained. Place key resources such as scratching posts, resting areas, food, water, etc. in different areas of the home.
3.Give them an opportunity to hunt. Cats need to hunt to stay physically and mentally healthy; keep in mind that cats in the wild hunt between 9 and 20 times a day. In short, they spend almost all their time looking for food. Eating from a food bowl does not stimulate this instinct within them. ARISTOCATS are not like dogs, which eat one large meal a day; they eat small portions. You can stimulate them with an interactive game where they feel the need to perform an activity to find their treat.
4. Something we always repeat: play with them. Cats need at least 15 minutes of playtime (try to make it longer; this will strengthen your bond with them). Always let them hunt their “prey” at the end of the session and reward them with a treat.
5. Create an environment that respects your ARISTOCAT'S sense of smell. A cat's sense of smell is 15 times stronger than a human's, and they need it to hunt for food. Avoid air fresheners and scented sprays in their space, especially citrus-scented ones, which they like the least.
The tips we have just given you will help make your pet happier and strengthen their bond with you. We hope you enjoyed today's post.