eeaugust18

MAKING YOUR HOME
Meowgnificent
FOR YOUR FELINE FAMILY MEMBER
PROVIDING FOR YOUR CAT’S MENTAL WELL
BEING IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS MEETING
THEIR PHYSICAL NEEDS.
1 SELF-PLAY TOYS
2 VERTICAL SPACES & CATIOS
3 CALM SAFE PLACE
Cats are natural predators, and need
to express that instinct in a healthy
and appropriate way in order to feel
completely comfortable and nurtured.
Providing a cat with appropriate
enrichment can help you form a closer
bond with your kitty, as well as replace
destructive or nervous behaviors with
appropriate and self-entertaining
activities. With all of the traveling you
are going to do this summer, your kitty
is bound to be remaining at home alone
for long periods of time, so we want to
make sure they have fun at home, while
you’re having fun on vacation!
Self-play toys are those that allow your
cat to play on her own and be satisfied
with her play. These toys are ones that
encourage stalking or pouncing. Wall
mount or floor mount toys that involve
moving parts, or even cardboard boxes
or paper bags (be sure to remove the
handles!) are great toys that allow your
cat to entertain herself during long days.
Foraging toys, or food puzzles, are also
a great option, just be sure to include
the kibble or treats in that toy into her
complete
d a i l y
ration,
so as
to avoid
inevitable
weight gain.
Interactive toys are
ones that you and your kitty
share together, such as wands, laser
pointers, wadded up pieces of paper or
foil, etc. Use caution with laser pointers
though, as direct contact into the cat’s
eyes can cause damage to the eyes
after continual exposure. The purpose
of interactive toys is to allow your cat to
“catch” something every once in a while,
so guide young children in this play, so
that they do not form a habit of teasing
the cat and causing malicious attitudes
towards kids.
90 www.EverythingElko.com | August 2018