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Quality of
Life
Issues
- Environmental Enrichment
What is it?
Cats
rely on
their human
family to meet their physical,
mental, and emotional needs. An
enriched environment provides both
mental and physical exercise, lowers
the cat's stress, and prevents many
potential behavior problems. Reducing
stress makes it easier for your cat
to learn new behaviors.
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Enrich the environment
before starting
any behavior
modification or training
program to assure your cat's
basic needs are being met. |
What to do
Predictability:
Develop somewhat of a routine
time for feeding, training,
playtime, and grooming.
Establish your own routine of
scooping the litter
box each morning and evening.
Make nightly television or
reading time - quality lap time.
Novelty: As much as cats
enjoy a routine, make small
regular changes in the
environment to teach coping
skills and to prevent
boredom. Change bedding. Rotate
toys. Arrange new climbing
areas. Provide different size
boxes and brown paper bags to
explore. Hide treats around the
house. Provide dry food in food
puzzles.
Social time: Cats
relish social interaction,
mental stimulation, and
companionship. Allow your cat to
simply "hang out" with you. Cats
enjoy being the center of
attention. Sit with your cat
while she eats. Talk to her and
gently stroke her during meals.
Gently brush your cat to remove
dead fur and reduce shedding.
Stimulate games using chase-type
toys. Teach your cat to come and
sit on cue for treats.
Cleanliness: A cat must have
written, "Cleanliness is next to
godliness." Clean bedding
often. Wash food and water
dishes daily. Keep litter
box scooped clean. Dump old
litter and replace with new
litter monthly. Replace
the litter
box annually.
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"Helping you raise a fabulous feline
friend for life." |
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