![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Smokeysprawling-225x300.jpeg\")
Do you have a cat or two or\u2026? Good for you. There are a lot of cats out there that need homes. Do you keep your cat indoors? That\u2019s another plus on your side as indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. HOWEVER, as caretakers for our indoor cats we have a large responsibility\u2014especially if you have just one cat.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t remember a time when I had just one cat. It\u2019s![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Oliviawindow-e1596799465669-225x300.jpg\")
been years and years. We lost Sophie this year and Olivia is alone for the first time in her life. I think it\u2019s been hard on her, so we\u2019ve attempted to step up our way of interacting with her and caring for her. What does this mean? Well, she seems to need more attention and more enrichment.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Oliviabottle3-300x225.jpg\")
We\u2019ve added routines and rituals to our days with Olivia\u2014more playtime, more petting\/snuggle time, more grooming, more chit-chat (Olivia is a talker\u2014but only when she seems to have something to say).<\/p>\n
We have \u201cwindow time\u201d throughout the day and evening, where we make a production of opening a window (only when we\u2019re going to be in the room with her) so she can sit on the sill or sofa or desk and watch birds, cars, people, children, dogs\u2026 I shout, \u201cOlivia, want ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/OliviaEnrichment-300x225.jpg\")
window?\u201d and here she comes to my office or the living room. Note: Our windows have screens, but cats have been known to knock out screens, so that\u2019s why we supervise window time.) We also have \u201cfeather time.\u201d (I worry about her chewing on her ostrich feather and getting pieces stuck in her mouth or throat.) And we have \u201cchase time,\u201d where I toss things down the hallway and Olivia chases them\u2014slipping and sliding ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/catbeachleash-225x300.jpg\")
along the way. She\u2019s also sometimes in the mood to jump and catch wads of paper we toss, then there\u2019s bed-making time, floor dusting time\u2026Oh yes, I get a lot of help around here.<\/p>\n
Enrichment is important for any cat, especially a young \u201conly pet.\u201d As you know, just like a human, a cat is more than just a ball of fur and a beautiful fixture for our home. They have needs and requirements for health and well-being beyond being fed and petted. And, as the title on a friend\u2019s book clearly states, \u201cAnimals Have Feelings Too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are a couple of site presenting ideas for social enrichment for your cat. Let me know if you picked up any ideas and made any changes in your home.<\/p>\n
And now if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019m going to go find Olivia and play hide-the-treat-and-seek, with her. (Pix Oliviabottle3, Oliviaenrichment, oliviaenrichment2)<\/p>\n
https:\/\/lifeandcats.com\/social-enrichment-for-cats<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.thesprucepets.com\/enrichment-ideas-for-your-cat-4588682<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Do you have a cat or two or\u2026? Good for you. There are a lot of cats out there that need homes. Do you keep your cat indoors? That\u2019s another plus on your side as indoor cats live longer than … Continue reading