Wild (and Sometimes Crazy) Wednesday – Enhance Your Cat’s View and Enrich her Life

Monday I shared a tale of cats NOT being tempted by an open door. Some cats crave being outside. We’ve talked about many ways to allow outdoor time with safety restraints—a catio, cat-proof fencing, electric wire that gives off just a pinch of discomfort. I suppose there are collars for cats that would teach them to stay within a particular perimeter as there are for dogs. But another solution for cats is simply creating more interest outside your windows to entertain, mesmerize, and soothe her.

This might include bird feeders and baths, plants that attract birds and butterflies, interesting wind chimes and sun catchers. I’d suggest changing them out fairly often to provide something new for the cats to look at.

Put up lights around a window and turn them on at night to attract moths for the cats to watch. And install a ready-made window perch or build if there isn’t a back of a sofa or table the cat can sit on while watching the world outside.

Sometimes cats sit at a window to feel the warmth of the sun, to smell the rain, or to watch for your return when you’re gone.

As a kitten, Lily used to LOVE watching the children next door play. Cats also like to watch adults. One of our cats was afraid of strangers and would hide when people visited. One day our next door neighbors came into the house and the cat greeted her. That was a surprise. Why did she greet Susan and Bob when she typically hid even from frequent visitors? Later, I realized that the cat knew this couple because she’d been watching them through the window and hearing their voices.

If you want to enrich your cat’s life, consider adding interest at several windows in your home and provide a place for the cat to hang out. In the meantime, here’s a site with some delightful and intriguing photos of cats at windows. https://www.mnn.com/family/pets/blogs/whats-the-deal-with-cats-and-windows

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