Cat Enrichment
Published June 3, 2020
“Man’s best friend” is the common quote we hear when referring to dogs, but what about our beloved cats?! Cats are incredibly intelligent, complex furry friends. Today we are going to talk about human’s other best friend and some great ways to enrich their life!
Oftentimes we think dogs can be our only training partner, however cats are great training pals as well. Cat intelligence is not as often explored in comparison to dogs but do not let that fool you. Cats can learn the stereotypical basic obedience cues such as “go to bed,” “sit,” “lay down,” or even some fun tricks! As stated in our previous blog, positive reinforcement is the method of choice for training your furry friends so make sure you grab some smelly tuna and get to work training your cats!
Oftentimes we think dogs can be our only training partner, however cats are great training pals as well. Cat intelligence is not as often explored in comparison to dogs but do not let that fool you. Cats can learn the stereotypical basic obedience cues such as “go to bed,” “sit,” “lay down,” or even some fun tricks! As stated in our previous blog, positive reinforcement is the method of choice for training your furry friends so make sure you grab some smelly tuna and get to work training your cats!
Making sure your cat lives an enriched life from training to play is crucial. Cats love to play, from feathers and tunnels, to lasers and balls. There are many options to help your cat engage in their environment. Cats enjoy vertical space; adding shelving, a cat tree or even a hammock onto a window can be great for exploration. Lasers are another tool to get your cat moving around and engaged. Chasing and stalking is a natural behavior for your cat and any way we can bring that out is ideal. Cats also have the instinctual habit of scratching, and scratch posts come in many different forms. They range from simple boards on the floor to complex standing posts. Scratching gives your cat the opportunity to remove the outer layer of their claws, stretch their bodies, and leave their scent on items.
Providing your cat with toys and space can help to curb behavioral issues; many of which stem from a lack of enrichment in the first place. Healthy play also helps cats thrive physically and emotionally. They are intelligent, sentient beings that require intellectual and emotional stimulation to thrive and become loving pets in your home.
By Michael's Barkery Blogger: Courtney Larrier