Tips of How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy

Scratching posts should be a staple item for every household with pet cats and cat catteries as well.  The scratching post should be sturdy so it does not fall over when the cat uses it.  It should be tall enough so the cat can stretch upward to scratch and made of material the cat likes.

Location of scratching posts:

• They should be placed next to an area where the cat already scratches
• Put scratching posts near sleeping areas, entrances to rooms and long routes to food and litter box (I might add a little note here about the three silver Persians I have now.  They must be pure angels or I am just accommodating them very well.  They are all three very well behaved.  I am having no behavior problems from them.  They seem at peace and full of contentment.)

Another important aspect of making your cat feel at home, welcome or happy during the day is providing adequate resting areas.  Resting areas must be:

• Safe
• Secure
• Private
• Away from people and other animals

Cats especially need opportunities for privacy and quiet time.  They sometimes are willing to use a cat tent and other special made items for them, however, many cats enjoy just a cardboard box with a nice soft blanket placed in a quiet spot for them.  Cats also find their own very secluded places for private time that includes:

• Under your bed
• In a spare room
• In a closet

And what about perching needs for the cat?  Cats love to perch in areas way up high, on a window sill looking outside to the rest of the world while they are quiet, secluded and safe inside.  Cats are curious and vigilant by nature.  Sitting in high places allows them to observe their environment.  They like to see, hear and smell what is going on from a safe distance.

Cats make good use of their vertical space and value this as much or more than floor space.  They may even find their own high perching spots on top of a bookcase, kitchen cupboards or a refrigerator.  Spots near a window are especially desirable.  Try to provide places for birds to gather near the cat's window perch.  They love to watch the birds fly around.  There are many types of cat furniture that accommodates the cat's need to climb and perch.  Cat towers, trees or condos are dearly loved.  Place them near a window if possible.

The need for play is unique to each cat.  Some cats like to play more than others.  Play activities are closely related to hunting activities.  Watch the types of games your cat likes to play.  Recently I bought a little bird toy for my cats.  Each time the bird is rolled around it makes a bird-like noise.  I thought how cute this would be for them.  They will just love this toy.  It is the only toy so far they all stay away from.  They seem to be startled by the sound, so they do not go near that toy bird.  Other cats, by contrast, may love it.  All of them are amazed at jumping feathers and love to run after them (the hunt), then catch them with their hands and try to "eat" the prey of feathers.  I play this game often with them using the fishing poles with feathers attached on the end.  Cats have a need to stalk and pounce.  They stalk the feather and pounce on it.  There are many other types of cat toys that dangle and move.  I am staying away from toys that make noise as my cats are startled by the noise makers. 

I notice my Persians have their eyes half closed a lot.  They look a bit lazy and sleepy eyed.  Their environment is extremely quiet.  I put on the Van Morrison music one day to see their reaction.  Their eyes popped open very wide as if to say:  "What is that?"  "I never heard such as this."  Taz ran in behind something to hide.  Diamond was the perkiest.  I concluded Diamond really liked Van Morrison's song of "Brown-eyed Girl."

When you purchase cat toys, be sure most of them provide opportunity for the cat to play by itself.  Cats are easily bored (sounds like me), so keep a selection of toys you can rotate occasionally.  When I clean their area, I put all their toys in a basket.  After cleaning, I get them out and they act as if they have found "new" toys.  In a few hours, the toys just lay on the floor untouched.  The cats returned to sleepy-eyed look!

Diamond and Fairy like the low-tech items like ping-pong balls and different shapes of little balls.  They roll them over their floor using their paws.  I have also noticed these two girls as if playing "roll the ball over the floor to each other."  This is real cute to watch and I never have my video camera out in time to catch these little games.

Taz is still not old enough to mate, but he spends a fair amount of his time following around after Fairy during her season times.  When he is not doing this, he desires to sit next to me or in my lap.  He is more of a lap cat than Fairy and Diamond.  They all learn very quickly and as I said before, I am so very pleased with this threesome.  I have heard that Persians were very hard to groom.  This is not true of my three.  Their coats are silky texture.  The most trouble I have had is at bath time and keeping their faces clean.  I won't give away all my secrets in these articles.  I have found a miracle routine for cleaning their faces.  All who purchase kittens from me will receive the "miracle routine" grooming instructions I have learned and established with my particular lines.  Follow the link in this article to learn more about us, to sign up for a free newsletter and add your name to our waiting list for some very exquisite silver Persian kittens.  If you like silver Persians, you will not be disappointed in the kittens we produce for you.  We will be having only a few litters per year, so you will need to express your interest early and fill out our contact form to be added to our list.

Disclaimer:  The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat.  You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems.

Source:  The Winn Feline Foundation Online