How to Keep Your Active Cat Out of Trouble
How wonderful and entertaining as they are, cats can cause all manner of havoc on the household. While acting out may be an attempt to communicate serious issues (such as illness or a dirty toilet), more often than not, cats choose violence simply because they are restless and bored. If your imp is solid in camp two, here’s how to keep it busy.
Play with them as much as possible
Tired cats are sleeping; wired cats fall into pranks. Cat expert Jackson Galaxy put it rather succinctly :
Remember that cats’ primal instincts motivate them to hunt, catch, kill and eat. They need to release this energy, and if they don’t, then some annoying behavior may start.
Playing with the cat releases this energy and, as a bonus, helps you bond . Keep a variety of interactive toys close at hand – they don’t have to be fancy , they just need to move in a variety of fun ways. Stick toyslike the Cat Dancer are ideal because they allow you to make a difference and make your cats guess.
Technique matters too. Galaxy recommends a simmer and simmer game method , which is similar to interval training for cats: short periods of intense activity (boiling) followed by rest (boiling), repeated until the cat has settled down. Gravity fighting makes any play session more exhausting, so don’t be afraid to make your cat jump up and down and overcome obstacles to get your toy.
Give them something to do when you’re busy
Unfortunately, cat owners are responsible for many non-cat tasks, such as working to make money. Your cat needs something non-destructive while you’re away, which means it needs furniture and, you guessed it, more toys.
Cat furniture can be anything you like, as long as you don’t mind getting scratched. Cardboard loungers ; shitty old chairs; complex multilevel cat trees ; and those cool beds with suction cups to the window all have their own advantages. If possible, place upholstered furniture near a window so they can hiss at the birds all day.
When it comes to toys, think about what your cat likes to do: some like to bang the ball down a closed path , while others prefer to kill stuffed fish with catnip . Puzzle feeders can entertain single-minded cats for hours. Don’t forget the trash : your cat is an artist and their canvas is a cardboard box filled with paper. Yes, they will make a mess, but that is only part of the process. (At any rate, vacuuming shredded paper is better than working with broken pots and dirt.)
Get another cat
Most cats relax with age and more play. But if no active play prevents your crazy feline from climbing walls, giving them a playmate can be very helpful.
This is a high-risk, high-reward decision and should not be taken lightly. According to the Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) guidelines for adopting a second cat ,
“[C] ats are family oriented creatures who usually live with their kin. They are not very tolerant of outsiders and less prone to harmonious cohabitation with a cat with which they are not related. “
Many adult cats who are not relatives get along just fine , but this is never guaranteed. Add the odds to your advantage by telling a shelter or rescue organization absolutely everything about your first cat and following their advice on introducing a new family member.
Kittens are a little simpler. Adult cats usually don’t show aggression towards babies, and if you already have a hyperactive threat, kitten’s limitless energy is a natural pair. With a little luck and a lot of patience, they’ll spend their days fiddling and playing together without touching your stuff.