Contributed by Kathy Conowall; aka ‘Mom’, 9 to 5 Pets
W
hile we’re working through this self-isolation and social distancing, our cats, on the other hand, may be super-charged by your daily presence, longing for some stepped up exercise or at the very least, some new and exciting entertainment. This Covid-19 lock down has been hard on all of us!
Let me describe why I want to write about this now. The other day, I found myself talking with my garden. I was outside planting flowers having a conversation with them. This was not your usual “be happy now Pretty Petunia!”, but actually asking them if they felt comfortable in their new home! Plants will survive so long as they’re in the right spot and getting the right amount of sun and water. Thriving, on the other hand, takes fertilizer, some occasional pruning, and yes, even conversation.
So, let’s get started!
Homemade Cat Toys
When I visit my daughter, Jennifer, I hear distinctive comments from their cat Otis. I love to sit down on the ground with him to encourage more ‘conversation.’ Jennifer keeps Otis’s ‘favorite things’ and one that truly used to rev his engines when he was younger was a silly 4 foot braided yarn, homemade, in colorful orange. Otis and Jennifer would play with that together entertaining all of us watching. Otis knows he’s a joyful and important member of the family! If you’re crafty, here’s 10 DIY cat toys you can make at home that will help keep your cat entertained in between naps: https://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/2014/03/the-10-best-homemade-cat-toys/
Cat Enrichment Activities
My husband and I no longer have a cat at home. But Tweety, who sounded more like a bird than a cat, had a very unique talent that tickled my funny bone. When she was young, she would ‘fetch’ like a dog; literally. I would sit on the sofa and throw out a mouse just big enough for her mouth. She would leap in the air to catch it before it landed, or pounce the moment it did. Dutifully, as if she’d landed 1st prize in a contest, she would prance back to my feet, drop it, and wait for another toss. Like any member of our family, she needed to be active and reassured that she was special. Need some enrichment ideas? Here are a few to help you get started: https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/cat-enrichment-toys-puzzles-aromatherapy-and-more
If your cat has permission to be indoors and out, there is so much stimulation produced naturally by the sights, sounds, and continual movement of things happening out of doors. If this is the case in your home, let me wrap up this blog with the ‘cats meow.’ There are some real clever cat catio designers. And the architectural prowess rivals a dream I have to one day own a treehouse: https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/why-you-should-provide-environmental-enrichment-for-your-cat
In closing, think ‘playtime’ before and after naptime for your Family Cat(s). And ALWAYS remember to add some extra time into your Pet Sitting visits when you are away. Our Team is eager to enrich your Family Furball in the very same way as you so thankfully do!