Environmental Enrichment? You mean special toys, furniture and even room additions just to make your cat's life more enjoyable? Wait a minute - we go off to work and they stay home and sleep. Are we going too far this time? Bogey doesn't think so. |
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| Kitty Nirvana |
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"Trust me," Bogey says, "any animal that can get completely freaky over an orange-striped
plush toy shaped like a fish is either not very bright or is extremely imaginative--and I dare anyone to say
that I'm not too bright!"
Out in the wild, cats scratch tree bark, prowl and stalk for hours and kill small animals, spray to mark
territory, make nests of soft materials to sleep in, use any loose material for a litterbox, go off by themselves
for hours and also spend time socializing with other cats, engage in rough play and often fight bitterly.
So ... just because you've provided Felix with the best of feline homes, you expect him to suddenly
give up all this fun stuff? Cats are wonderfully adaptable, and even feral cats, born in the wild of
wild parents, can find great comfort in all the riches you've given them, but to really provide a satisfying
life for your feline household remember that they are your companion second - they are cats first.
Keeping this in mind, consider the idea of "environmental enrichment" for your cat,
the concept that you not only provide the necessities such as food, water, and a comfortable place
to sleep, but you also provide for more specific feline needs-hiding places, hunting games, things
to climb and scratch. Anitra Frazier quoted the benefits in her book The Natural Cat all the way back
in 1981, on approaching feline behavioral and even physical issues, "All you have to do is
look at any situation from your cat's point of view," and, "Staying as close to nature as
possible can't be too far from wrong." For the past several years, articles from the Tufts and
Cornell University cat-specific newsletters, from the ASPCA and HSUS, and even the AVMA have
mentioned how much cats, more than other animals, can benefit from providing places and ways
where they can just be cats.
One main benefit of that long list above of feline activities of daily living is general health-weight
management, flexibility, awareness-and providing the means to stalk and play hunting games,
climb and run keeps your indoor cat in top physical shape. A rambunctious kitten or an older
cat or multi-cat household that is still very active, somewhat destructive or even aggressive
behavior can be redirected to more appropriate outlets.
Just like people, not all cats like the same things. Some cats like to sit on top of the refrigerator,
some cats like to lurk under the bed; some cats will shred a paper bag in vigorous play, some will
sit next to it, perturbed that it sits in their path. In order to enrich your cat's life, you'll need to both
be observant and willing to experiment with toys and situations.
On their own, cats basically make a safe home, reproduce and eat. You've given them a safe,
comfortable place to live, so they don't have to worry about predators and other dangers, you've
had them neutered so they don't have the urge to do the reproduction dance, and all they have
left to do is eat. One of the best places to start is to give them a chance to "hunt" for
their food. This can be as simple as taking their food away between meals but leave water available,
and using a small handful of their dry food or a few treats, toss them for your cat to catch and chase,
or hide them around the house so that Felix can spend the day while you are at work "hunting"
for his lunch. Don't worry that you'll end up with cat food in every hidden crevice, because Felix has
nothing better to do than to find the food and figure out how to get it. If it's something especially pungent
like Kitty Kaviar, it won't last long and the game
will be sure to become a favorite.
In addition, cats may have the annoying habit of eating your houseplants (see
"Green Party", Cat Chat, August 2004). Give
Felix his own garden with cat greens grown from seed specifically chosen to appeal to your
cat and also be healthful as a supplement to the diet, and to help prevent hairballs from forming.
Despite the annoyed look you may receive when excitedly offering Felix a new toy that you
think is really cool and he does not, cats are really very easily amused--with the right stimulus,
as Bogey will tell you. Try a variety of interactive toys, such as DaBird,
Swizzle Stick or Kitten Mitten
so you can bond with your cat during play, and especially if your cat tries to play aggressively with
you. Glow in the Dark Curly Toys allow your cat the
very real adventure of hunting "at night" while you wave the cluster of glowing fibers for him to chase.
Offer other toys that simulate prey as well, such as Mini Minnows ,Baby Mice
and Cats With an Attitude toys that are filled
with catnip, sure to stimulate interest, and are also small enough to swat, carry or toss, and
Fishy Friend, large enough for a cat to wrap itself
around and give a good thrashing to. It's a good idea to rotate toys, as well, to keep Felix's
interest at a high level.
Cats like vertical space, and their need to climb, run, scratch and leap may run counter to your
household setup (see "Differing Uses for Your Chair," Cat Chat, June 2004).
A scratching post, play center or condo can provide more than one cat with the opportunity to
exercise without using your furniture and draperies, and placing the unit near a window can
give your cat the opportunity to view the outdoors from various heights and angles and also
enjoy some sun and fresh air if you open the window. In addition, you can provide an outdoor
enclosure such as Kittywalk so your cat can actually
be outdoors without the dangers that roaming presents.
Cats are very observant and may react with fear or anger at major changes, such as a move or a
new addition to the household, but will welcome small changes like new toss pillows or an area
rug on the floor. Just as you rotate the availability of toys to keep them interesting, make small
changes for Felix to investigate during the slow times.
Keeping your cat active provides your cat her own means for a long, happy and healthy life that
you can share with her for years to come.
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