Biologically cats are descendants of tigers and lions, their feline relatives. But if you ask most cat owners, they will swear that cats are the descendants of the devil himself. You believe so too, and which is why you are here, aren’t you?
At most times, cats want to be left alone and unbothered in their world of solitary bliss, and if they choose to visit this world, they do so to wreak havoc in the household.
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Scratched furniture and carpets, pieces of chewed fabric spread across the floor, cat litter at the most inaccessible and random places are some of the many horrific sights that cat parents have to behold. Though some make their peace with it, some look for a solution that works in the best interest of both parties involved.
Many cat owners foster a common misconception that cats behave crankily out of revenge, which is not the case. More often than not, these behaviours are a part of investigative play. Scratching is an innate part of cats’ behaviour similar to grooming or burying waste. Scratching serves multiple purposes as it lets the cat mark its territories by depositing a scent from special glands in a cat’s paws.
Most unconventional behaviours depicted by cats are actually a part of the species and are important to their physical and mental well being. Fret not! There are ways to counter the loss of property through an appropriate plan and absolute patience.
Here are five ways to keep your cat constructively busy while you’re out or occupied with chores at home.
Food Toys And Puzzles
Such toys serve twofold purposes of keeping your feline pet entertained as well as fed. A sphere laden with cat treats that release only when your cat has figured out the correct method is one of the best toys to keep their mind and body stimulated.
For cats that enjoy the hunt more than the prize, the SmartCat Peek-A-Prize is a toy that will keep them engaged for hours. This toy consists of a box with holes that can be filled with plush toys. The cats are then supposed to ‘hunt’ by flipping the toys out of the box through the holes, which fundamentally engages their natural instincts.
If your cat is smart and figures out a puzzle too soon, you can always purchase a more challenging toy from the market. To avoid overeating by your cat, make sure you factor the toy treats in the diet plan.
Cat Oriented Furniture
Yes, you heard that right. Since cats live in a world of their own creation, it only makes sense to get them their own furniture, duh! And if you do so, with a little training, they even might spare your furniture from their wrath as they
The most basic cat furniture consists of:
- Scratching Posts
- Scratching Bench
- Cat Wall Shelves
Cat Scratching posts and benches provide your cat with vigorous activity. Once it gets attached to a scratching post, your other furniture won’t get spoilt by the cat. You can also carry the scratching post whilst you travel with your cat; it alleviates the cat behaviour problems that come with a change of environment.
Cats are more vertically oriented than us humans; Cat Wall Shelves facilitate climbing for the cats, which offer a change from the mundane scenery that cats often view from the floor. With proper training, your cat will keep to its wall shelves rather than jumping off of your cabinets and dropping things on the floor in the process.
Cardboard Boxes
Can something as simple as cardboards counter the crankiness of complex creatures like cats? Well, they can. Because cats absolutely love to play with these boxes every which way they can. They bound in and out of them, hide inside it, use it as a fort, sledge or a playtoy.
We all know that curiosity kills the cat; well, a cardboard box keeps the cat blissfully busy since Schrodinger’s era, it seems. Cardboard boxes are not only cheap & easily obtainable but also pose no risk to your kitty or your furniture.
Reading Suggestion: Why do Cats Love Boxes? Are they Safe?
Paper And Paper Bags
If you’re getting a feeling that cat care might get cheaper than this further down in this article, no, it won’t. Sadly, this is the lowest we stoop, haha.
Paper’s ability to change shape and make that crinkling sound is what makes it a cat’s absolute favourite and hence, is a material that promises effective engagement with your cat. Sneakily scatter around pieces of paper all across the floor for your kitty to stumble across them throughout the day. Watch your cat roam across the house happily like a kid lost in a candy store, and thank us later!
Just like cardboard boxes, paper bags will work wonders for your cat control operation. Let your feline loose on those paper bags as it pounces in and out of them or tears holes through them to use them as tunnels. Make sure you don’t leave any paper bags with handles still attached, as they might prove to be a choking hazard for your fur baby.
A Room Full Of Views
For us humans who have been living in a shelter for centuries, a room with a view is a luxury. But a cat whose ancestors roamed in the wilderness, a window of wonder to the outside world, is an absolute necessity. Cats are intuitively drawn to the outside world and love to watch it go by, especially from an elevated position. If you live in an apartment building on an upper floor or have a second story to your home, leave the blind of your windows open so that your kitty has access to endless entertainment in the form of the outside hustle and bustle. Alternatively, you can also move a piece of furniture like a bookshelf or a table closer to your window so that the cat can marvel at the outside world.
If you think you can love cats for what they are, getting another feline to keep your kitty company is a great idea too. Don’t look at it as double the trouble, but double the love and an absolute overload of cuteness.
Remember, you will be happy only if your cats are, and vice versa. No one knows your cat better than you. Whenever you find the time, make sure you interact with them lovingly and watch them open up to you little by little.
