It is all about having a place to call your own.
We all need to feel comfortable enough in our skins to relax as humans. Our feline friends also have similar needs,
Paula Plummer, a certified veterinary technician and feline advocate at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, said that creating an environment where pets can roam and be themselves directly correlates with reducing a variety of medical and behavioral problems.
Cat-friendly environments should be created with plenty of space, plenty litter boxes, plenty fresh water, and lots to do. This will create a home environment that pets love.
Plummer believes toys can be a great source to entertain cats. Pet owners can also test different toys to find out what their cat prefers. Some cats may prefer toys with catnip while others may prefer toys with bells and lasers.
It can be difficult to find the best toy for your cat due to the variety of toys available.
The added benefit of spending time with your pets is the ability to build lasting relationships.
Plummer stated that playing with cats and their favorite toys can be a great way to spend quality time together.
This routine is important for cats’ stress and anxiety.
Plummer stated that stressed cats will display negative behaviors like pulling out their hair, scratching or inappropriate urinations.
Owners can help their cats relax by creating an environment that encourages natural behavior.
Cats who enjoy scratching on posts can find a great way to release stress. If a cat is allowed to scratch only these posts at a young age, it will be able to adopt this natural behavior without the owner having to pay for it.
Plummer explained that environmental enrichment will eventually reduce the incidences of behavioral and other medical issues in your cat. Your cat will have a fulfilled life, and will not need to express their feelings in a negative way.
Puzzle feeders are another way to enrich your cat’s environment. They encourage natural hunting behavior. Another way to encourage this activity is for owners to hide food in the room.
Plummer recommends that any behavioral or medical concerns such as improper elimination or behavioral changes arise. This is the best way to address those concerns.
There are many ways pet owners can customize their home to meet their pets’ needs. Although these small changes may seem insignificant, they can have a significant impact on the mental health of feline friends.
Pet Talk is a service of Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Stories can be viewed on the web atvetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk.Suggestions for future topics may be directed [email protected].