10 Tips to Engage Your Cat Indoors

 It's a story that going outside may be the only way to keep a cat happy. Enjoying time with a cat often means using toys that will simply satisfy their stalking instinct, keep them excited and supply the exercise they need remain healthy and happy.

With the weather in North America, keeping your cat indoors may be the only choice. Here are some tips for creating the good inside environment to keep your cat happy.

1. Start when they're a Kitten

Kittens can be taught to enjoy themselves more so while they're young. Before they get older, molded to their habits.

2. Fenced Outdoor Play Area

Construct a "safe zone" that is enclosed outdoors like a "catio" or an enclosure to allow your cat to play worry-free. Although, the fenced area will not prevent outside animals from getting into your home, it will help to keep your cat safe. 

One step towards building a cat-proof yard without any escape routes into any of the garden plants, chemicals or any other dangerous materials outside.

3. Take Your Cat for a Walk 

In a safe neighborhood, free of any off-leash dogs that could interrupt your cat would be perfect to give them a small taste of the outdoors. Shopping for a cat harness and teaching your cat to take a walk takes patience. Each cat behaves differently and not every cat will be as eager to walk with a leash on. 

4. Window Seats

Installing perches around windows for your cat to sit on and keep an eye on the outdoors helps them to stay engaged. It's possible to purchase larger perches that attach to parts of the house like the stairs.

5. Cat Trees or Condos

Buy a ready-made cat tree (often referred to as a "kitty condo"), or build your own. A cat tree will be short, or might stretch from floor to ceiling. It provides nice rise opportunities and, in multi-cat households, creates additional play and rest areas by taking advantage of vertical house. If you can, find the cat tree next to a window therefore your cat will watch the action outdoors.

6. Play, Play, Play

Play together with your cat day by day. strive differing kinds of toys that permit your cat to stalk, chase, pounce and kick. once you have tired out your cat, store toys that might hurt them (such as toys with strings attached) out of reach. after you cannot be there to supervise, hop over "toys" like paper luggage (with the handles removed) or cardboard boxes. make certain to change the toys from time to time so they appear "new" and additional attention-grabbing to your cat. 

7. Cat Grass

Plant cat grass (available from pet retailers) in indoor pots therefore your feline will graze. 

8. Keep Your House Clean

Cats are neat freaks, so keep them comfortable by keeping their areas clean. Especially, the litter box and anywhere they enjoy sitting.

9. Track Your Cat

Even indoor cats ought to still be outfitted with a collar and visual identification. The occasional open window (make positive your windows have secure screens) or door offers a tempting chance for your cat. And your cat might become frightened and build their means outside if strangers return to figure on your house or if there's a hearth or similar disaster. The collar and visual ID might facilitate somebody get your pet back to you.

10. Insurance to the Rescue

For additional insurance, think about having your cat micro chipped and keep your contact info with the microchip written record up to this point. If you are doing lose your cat, contact your native animal shelter right away to file a report. Shelter employees will provide you with recommendations on obtaining your pet back home safely.