Top Five Ways to Keep Your City Kitty Happy!
As dictated by the cat that owns Taylor Truitt, DVM
Your city kitty is indeed a lucky cat! Since she can’t go outside she doesn’t have to worry about being attacked, contracting disease, and will most likely live a longer life. But we do need to keep our city kitties happy by modifying their home environment so they don’t get bored. Here’s the top 5 ways to keep your city kitty happy!
5) Cat Grass. Cat grass is a special variety of grass you can grow indoors for your cat to munch on. It can help control hairballs by helping them pass and provide some additional nutrients that aren’t apart of their carnivorous diet. While the jury is still out on whether cat grass offers any health benefits, most cats really enjoy it, so let them have it!
4) High quality diet and quantity management. City kitties are prone to gaining weight since they aren’t out prowling all day. It’s important to put them on a set quantity of food daily based upon their activity levels. Cats that are allowed to graze throughout the day end up overweight over time. Cats have an easier time managing their weight when fed canned food.
3) Appropriate toys and exercise. Cats are hunters by nature. Hunting their toys is stimulating for them both mentally and physically. Using the fishing pole toys, cat nip toys, or toys with feathers or fur are often kitty favorites, but there are so many – find some your cat enjoys! And don’t forget to interact with your cat! Movement is 50% of the fun!
2) Window hammocks and perches. Cats love to watch the world go by! Why not give them a fun and comfortable place in a window to catch a ray of sun or spy on the lowly citizens below. Windows can be prime entertainment!
1) Cat trees. Cat trees allow cats to climb, scratch, and get to a high perch in their environment. Cats love to be up high. By giving them their own territory they feel they have a safe spot to sleep, and lots of cat trees now have many levels allow
ing them to exercise and scratch in a place we all approve.
Incorporate these simple tips into your cat’s home to create a happy home environment for you and your cat! Of course, don’t be surprised when your cat is initially more interested in the box your new gifts came in than the gifts themselves. Please contact The Vet Set for any questions you may have for your city kitty!