Boredom busters for cats

Tom Stone — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0000

While some cats may be happy to keep themselves entertained, others may need a bit more stimulation to keep their minds active and prevent them from becoming bored.

According to feline welfare charity Cats Protection, indoor cats, and cats who spend more time indoors during the colder winter months, can be particularly prone to boredom if they do not have enough entertainment.

"If your cat appears to be bored, but is also not interested in playing, try providing them with other forms of stimulation such as puzzle feeders, grooming sessions or even doing some training. Owners should always rule out medical issues with sudden changes in behaviours," said Cats Protection's Central Behaviour Officer, Daniel Warren-Cummings.

"Many people assume getting your cat a feline friend to play with will help but this is unlikely to work. Cats are naturally very solitary animals and having another cat around could cause them a lot of stress."

Signs of boredom include:

Zoomies – Also known as frenetic random activity periods (FRAP), zoomies can be an indicator of boredom. While the occasional 'funny five minutes' is normal, if your cat is getting the zoomies regularly (eg daily or even more frequently) then they could be telling you they're bored
Sleeping a lot – It's normal for cats to get a lot of sleep (some can sleep for 12-18 hours a day!) but if your cat is sleeping more than usual, their inactivity could be a sign of boredom
Excessive meowing – If your cat appears to be trying to get your attention, perhaps by meowing or getting in your way, it could be that they're bored and want you to entertain them
Pacing
Overgrooming
Overeating
Destroying furniture and furnishing
Attacking humans and other animals

Tips on how to help:

Play with them

Interactive play is the best way to keep your cat entertained. Most cats will only need short play session of a few minutes at a time but try to fit in several of these each day and alternate the toys you use to keep it interesting.

Let them outside

The outside world has plenty to interest your cat, from prey to chase, trees to climb and various places to explore. If your cat is ok to go outside, give them access during the day, making sure they can get back inside when they want to and at night. If you have an indoor cat, you could look into getting an enclosed 'catio' that's attached to the house for them to access. More advice on keeping your cat safe outside here.

Provide a window perch

If your cat can't go outside, or prefers to stay indoors, then they can still enjoy the sights of the outside world through the window. Give them access to a windowsill or perch near a window with an interesting view, so they can watch the local wildlife. You could even place a bird or squirrel feeder outside the window to create some entertainment.

Grow some cat grass

Bring the outside world inside by planting some cat grass in a pot indoors. Many cats love to chew on cat grass and it can even help with their digestion. More advice on cat-safe plants here.

Try some training

It's not just dogs who can be trained! It's possible to teach your cat to do all sorts of things, including sit, roll over and respond to their name. Plus, it's a great way to keep them mentally stimulated and strengthen your bond. Find out more about cat training here.

Provide puzzle feeders

Making mealtimes fun is a great way to stave off boredom. Encourage your cat to work for their food by using puzzle feeders. There are lots of different types you can buy, or you can make your own. Find out how to make feeding puzzles for your cat here.

Give them a groom

Most cats need a bit of help with grooming every now and then, particularly long-haired cats who need brushing once a day. Grooming is a great activity you can do together and most cats will enjoy the attention. Find out how to groom your cat here.

Give them something to climb

Cats love to get up high so they can feel safe and watch the world go by from a good vantage point. Try providing them with a cat tower, cat shelves and walkways, or simply clear some space on top of furniture or shelves so they can explore their home from different heights.

Cats Protection recommends contacting a vet if you notice any changes in your cat's behaviour so they can rule out any medical causes before investigating if it could be the result of boredom.

Cracking ideas for festive feline savings

Jessica Curtis — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +0000

Craft-loving cat lovers will be able to keep their pets amused and keep costs down this Christmas with their own handmade creations thanks to help from feline welfare charity Cats Protection.

"Christmas is a time for treating the ones we love, whether they're family, friends or felines" said Daniel Warren-Cummings, Cats Protection's Central Behaviour Officer. "There's lots of things that cats really enjoy about this time of year – from curling up in front of somewhere warm to getting up to mischief with all the empty boxes which are often left over once the presents are open! Making your own cat toys and treats is a great way to keep Christmas costs down and is also a fun activity to keep children occupied during the school holidays."

Here are Cats Protection's top tips (with helpful links) for feline-friendly goodies which are both simple and cheap to make.

Feeding enrichment activities: Cats love different ways to make feeding time more interesting. Commercially-produced food balls are available in shops but homemade versions are cheap and easy to make. Hiding dry food in a clean, empty egg box will give cats the chance to enjoy batting their way to their food. For a different take, try suspending a large, clean yoghurt pot with some holes in it to allow biscuits to fall out just above the cat's head height – cats will love working out how to bat the food out.

Fishing rod toys: These are a fantastic activity for cats young and old and you can easily make your own. Tie a length of string to the end of a short wooden rod (a garden cane works well) and secure with heavy duty tape. Secure a small cat toy to the end of the string, adding some artificial feathers if you have any. Then simply dangle and drag to attract your cat's attention! Make sure your cat is able to catch the toy periodically, as cats can be left frustrated if they're unable to catch their 'prey'. Ensure that fishing rod toys are safely out of the cat's reach once play time is over.

Toilet roll puzzles: Collect a good supply of toilet roll tubes and stack them on top of each other to create a mini wall of tubes, secured with sticky tape. Hide a portion of your cat's daily allowance of dry food or a cat nip toy within the tubes - cats will love using their paws to fish out the goodies hidden inside.

Cosy cardboard den: Cats don't need fancy expensive cat beds – a cardboard box and a blanket or old jumper works just as well. If you're feeling creative, or want to give the kids a challenge, use felt tips or paint to jazz it up. Avoid using tinsel to decorate as it can cause serious illness if ingested due to the blockages they can cause.

DIY scratching stations: All cats need access to somewhere they can scratch to keep their claws in tip-top condition. For a cost-effective addition to scratching posts, look out for old carpet samples which are often cheaply available or even free at carpet shops. Or you can make your own from cutting up a cardboard box.

Catnip knots: Most cats love catnip and will spend hours engaged in energetic play with it. For a simple homemade toy – which also finds a use for odd socks – simply fill a sock with a couple of tablespoons of dried catnip, knot the end and trim off any excess.

Homemade balls: A ball of tin foil can make a perfectly adequate toy, as long as the cat can't swallow it.

More information on cats and play can be found on the charity's website here.

Your Pets Daily - Cat enrichment activities

Boredom busters for cats

Category

Tags

Cracking ideas for festive feline savings

Category

Tags