Allowing your cat outdoors exposes them to risks, such as diseases, parasites, vehicular accidents, and animal attacks, but indoor cats are at risk too. Without the ability to express natural behaviors, indoor cats can get bored and frustrated, potentially leading to health and behavioral problems. Our Monte Vista Animal Hospital team wants your feline friend to thrive, and we offer tips on how you can encourage your indoor cat to express their instincts.

Encourage your cat to use their claws

Cats need to scratch. If your feline friend claws your couch or your curtains, they aren’t offering their advice about your taste in decor. Cats scratch to keep their claws healthy, stretch their muscles, and leave scent messages, but most cats will use scratching posts if they are available as opposed to your furniture. Considerations include:

  • Scratching surface — Scratching posts and pads come in various surface types. Provide your whiskered pal with numerous options to determine which surface your cat prefers.
  • Orientation — Scratching structures can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, and your feline friend may like various orientations for their daily scratching exercises.
  • Height or length — A scratching structure should be big enough to let your cat get a good stretch. Ideally, horizontal scratchers should be at least 18 inches long, and vertical scratchers should be about 32 inches tall.
  • Amount — Place numerous scratchers throughout your home.
  • Location — You may not like the aesthetic appeal of your cat’s scratcher, but your whiskered pal won’t use it if you place it in a faraway corner. Place scratchers in areas where your cat likes to rest and play and near objects they inappropriately scratch.
  • Sturdiness — Ensure your cat’s scratcher is sturdy and won’t fall over when your whiskered pal uses it. If the scratcher topples, it could startle your cat, causing them to avoid using the scratcher.

Encourage your cat to climb

Cats are prone to stress, and surveying their environment from an elevated position can help them feel in control and lower their stress level. To help your feline friend find a desirable vantage point, follow these tips:

  • Cat trees — These structures typically have hideaways and hammocks that your cat may enjoy.
  • Clearing space — Remove objects from the top of your refrigerator, bookcase, and closet to make room for your cat.
  • Floating shelves — Install a cat wall by putting up floating shelves throughout your living space. Your whiskered pal will enjoy navigating their world without setting foot on the floor.

Encourage your cat to hide

Cats can be stress balls that need hiding spots to decompress when they get overwhelmed or frightened. To help your cat find an acceptable hiding spot, follow these tips:

  • Save boxes — When you get deliveries, save the boxes and put them in quiet locations around your home. This is an easy, inexpensive way to provide a feline hidey-hole.
  • Clean under beds — A perfect place for your feline friend to hide is under a bed where it’s quiet, cozy, and dark. Create space under beds so your cat can seek refuge.
  • Leave out the carrier — Your cat’s carrier is a great hiding spot. Leaving your cat’s carrier out all the time has the added benefit of letting them get used to the conveyance so they don’t run when you get it out for their trip to the veterinary office.
  • Don’t disturb — Don’t try to pet or play with your cat while they are hiding. Respect their need for alone time, and don’t disturb their peace and quiet.

Encourage your cat to hunt

Cats are predators, and they enjoy hunting and stalking prey. Schedule daily play sessions with your feline friend, enticing them to run and jump using a laser pointer or a wand-style toy. These sessions will help keep your cat physically and mentally active. Three times per day you should conduct a 5- to 10-minute play session with your whiskered pal.

For more advice about allowing your indoor cat to express their natural behaviors, contact our Monte Vista Animal Hospital team.