By Jennifer J. Goetz, DVM
The number one cause of behavior problems in cats and kittens is the lack of proper environmental enrichment.
Some people think that to take care of a cat, or even several cats, all you need is a litter box and bowls for food and water. Nothing could be further from the truth! Environmental enrichment is essential for a high quality of life.
Cats need vertical climbing surfaces and are evolved to hunt. An indoor cat does not have trees to climb or birds to chase. When an animal does not have its natural environment, that environment must be simulated—by you, in the home—to prevent undesirable behaviors and medical illness.
What is environmental enrichment?
Environmental enrichment is the term we use when discussing the simulation of the natural environment in the home. Environmental enrichment prevents urinary tract infections and many other diseases, as well as destructive scratching, climbing curtains, and urinating outside the litter box.
What does my cat need?
We’re glad you asked! There are many, many ways to create an enriched environment for your kitten.
- Scratching posts. Cats like textured carpet. Some also like sisal, that thick rope. Give your kitten things to scratch that aren’t your furniture.
- Cardboard scratching toys. Kittens often like the horizontal cardboard disks with balls on the outside to chase.
- Places to climb and hide. You can buy a good cat tree, six feet tall, online for $60 to $80. Try to find space for one cat tree per cat.
- Window perches. Give your kitten hours of fun staring at birds and squirrels, and admiring her territory from the safety of her own perch. Some perches even come with fleece lining for extra comfort.
- Multiple kitty toys, on a rotating basis. Take turns with catnip mice, balls, toys with bells, toys with feathers, toys with crinkly noises—cats find toys more fun if you switch them up. Put a few out at a time and play will be new every day!
- Cat tunnels. Pure kitten bliss is zooming through a cat tunnel.
- Puzzle feeders. Cats evolved to hunt for food—in the wild they spend up to 10 hours hunting per day, make 100 to 150 attempts to catch, and actually catch 10 to 15 prey animals per day! So puzzle feeders are ideal for simulating natural kitten behavior. They also force your cat to eat slower, which prevents regurgitation.
- String and fishing pole toys. Even well-fed cats have a primal need to chase prey. Toys with fur or feathers at the end of a string are ideal. Move the string along the ground slowly, away from kitty, like it is a mouse to simulate the thrill of the chase.
- Hideaway beds. Cats need places to hide and get away from everyone. Igloo beds are especially nice; cats can push hunch down or go inside. Be sure to give each cat her own hideaway bed.
- Visual enrichment. We recommend the classic bird feeder, perfect when paired with a window perch. Cat TV is also fun for the more modern cat.
How can I keep my kitten happy at the feeding station?
Kittens and cats should never feel like they have to compete for food and water. To keep your feeding environment friendly, make sure to have…
- At least one water bowl per cat per level of the home
- At least one food bowl per cat
- Enough space between feeding stations for comfort
- Kitty fountains. Most cats love moving water. If your cat is a messy drinker, put a flat plastic lid under the fountain to protect the floor.
High-quality canned diet is another excellent form of environmental enrichment. Giving canned food facilitates the human-kitty bond, as you cannot leave canned food sitting out all day and have to give it to your kitten personally.
My kitten has so much energy. What should I do?
Play with kitty! Although cats are lower-maintenance pets, they are happier and have fewer problems if you play with them, even for just five to 10 minutes a day. So break out the laser pointer or kitty fishing pole! High-frequency, low-intensity play at similar times each day—cats love consistency—is one of the best things you can do for your kitten. Play time is also great bonding time.
Some cats, especially kittens, prefer to have a friend; they can play with each other, groom each other, snuggle together. Remember there are rules to introducing kittens: very gradually. But not every cat likes cats. Some prefer people, and some even prefer dogs. Some cats prefer to be solitary animals. It totally depends on your kitty.
At AHBC, we are always happy to talk to you about creating an enriched environment for your cat—a home full of love, health, happiness, and intact furniture.
