Cat Behaviour: Is your cat bored?
Author Sarah Dungca / Cats and Cat Behaviour /
Cats are pretty low maintenance - and a lot of die hard cat fans will argue that it is this fierce independence that makes them such great pets. I myself foster cats as I find they are easy to fit into a busy lifestyle but what a lot of people don’t realize is that cats can get bored.
Boredom in cats can lead to all sorts of issues, from overeating to destructive behaviours. It can also lead to depression. In my time spent working in cat shelters and with various rescues, I have seen many cats surrendered for these sort of behaviours, only to see them overcome them given a little enrichment. This enrichment can take many forms, from stimulating playtime, cat grass, and allowing for more stimulating views. If these things can be accomplished in a shelter environment, they can easily be accomplished in a home setting.
What are the signs of boredom?
- Eating too much
- Eating too little
- Excessive grooming ( often leading to bald spots)
- Excessive sleeping
- Scratching of furniture or walls
- Litter box issues
- Bullying of other pets
What can you do?
There are actually many ways to provide enrichment for your cat, ranging from providing cat grass to leaving feline friendly youtube videos up when your out. Below is our tried and tested methods for feline friendly enrichment.
Get them some toys
To begin, try getting a toy that activates your cat’s natural instinct. Many cats have either a natural birding or mousing drive. If you cat likes to chase objects across the floor it is likely a mouser, and if it likes to bat them it is more into birding. We use the ‘Da Bird’ toy for our cats (available on Amazon), as the feathers and movement mimic a real bird, and they absolutely adore it. You can also try more cost-effective options; many cats will go crazy for a ball of tinfoil and our cats love my nail buffers! Many cats enjoy laser pointers- just be careful only to hit the floor or wall and avoid their eyes! Generally, anything that allows them to chase or ‘hunt’ is sure to be a winner.
Set up perches near stimulating views
Cats love to look outdoors, and whether you live in a house or a sky-high condo, a cat will seek out a window to look out of. We lived very high up in Toronto for a long time with our cats, and while I often felt bad they didn’t have any nice trees or birds to look at, placing their kitty condo right near the balcony window meant that they were at least able to stare at the few bugs and flies that made their way up there. They were also able to bask in the sunshine, and cats love sun.
Get some scratching posts
This one is quite obvious! Cats have an innate desire to scratch- so it is best to avoid the issue of them going after your furniture by starting them off with something specifically designed for scratching. There is a vast variety of scratching options on the market, from cardboard scratching pads at the dollar store to elaborate, designer, carpeted posts.
Get some boxes!
Cats LOVE boxes. We order a lot from Amazon and always keep a box around for our cats to jump into. It doesn’t matter what size they are or where we put them, the cats always find them. Try moving the box around so they have a new place to go to. Many cats also love paper bags! Place them flat on the ground open and facing them- many times the cat will launch themselves into them or hide in them and sneak attack. You can also put treats in either of these for some extra enjoyment.
Cat boredom is real, but it is not unavoidable. We are so accustomed to cats independance that sometimes we forget, that just like us, they like to have interesting things to see and do. Regardless of how docile or lazy your cat may seem, they will always benefit from a little extra stimulation- and who knows, you might discover a whole new playful side to their nature you didn’t know they had.
Waterloo Park Pets is a local pet services company operating in the uptown area of Waterloo. We offer group and private dog walks, puppy socialization, cat visits, as well as basic small animal care. Contact us today if you want the best for your pets.
