A bored cat cannot be happy. Stimulating your pet's brain activity and keeping him interested through play will make him happier. This is especially true if the cat is prone to destructive behavior, such as tearing up curtains or digging up flower pots. She may also show that she is bored by being aggressive or showing signs of depression. If you are concerned about this behavior, the first step is to take her to your veterinarian to rule out underlying medical conditions that may be causing the problem behavior. If the veterinarian doesn't find anything serious, it's most likely because she's just bored. How to entertain your pet while the owner is not at home? Here are some simple ideas to help keep your cat's mind occupied, whether you're at home or not:
Buy more toys
The first thing you need to do is buy toys for your pet.
For cats you should choose:
- small balls that make a ringing sound when rolled;
- Catnip-scented toys, such as wooden sticks, that you can hold and chew. But you need to take into account that some animals are allergic to this plant;
- “mouse on a spring” - a stick with a suction cup with a small fluffy animal at the end, which is attached to a wall or floor, and when touched by a cat, it begins to vibrate, luring it into the game;
- large playhouse for cats;
- a tall, stable scratching post with a jingling toy at the very top.
For dogs you should choose:
- a soft toy that fits the size of their mouth, since almost all dogs adore them, and having chosen their favorite, they carry them with them everywhere;
- strong rubber bones with pimples for teething puppies, and hard edible bones and sticks for adults;
- balls with rubber spikes for cleaning teeth, including a squeaker inside.
In general, any toys that the dog can carry in its mouth or chew instead of the owner’s shoes and furniture.
You cannot leave your pet with all the toys in the house every day, as he will begin to get bored with them. It is better to hide one of them for a couple of days, and then take out and take the other one, then the animal will not lose interest in them.
Opportunity to hunt
By nature, a cat is a predator. If your pet is in an apartment and does not go outside, you can give it objects that imitate prey. Buy a small squeaker in the shape of a bird or a mouse, which the animal can carry in its teeth. Any toys on a rope are suitable for hunting. It is worth moving them near the cat’s nose in different directions so that he tries to catch them. Periodically, you need to give the animal the opportunity to catch prey.
Many people use the light spot from a laser pointer to entertain a cat. But according to psychologists, the pursuit of such prey causes great stress in animals, since the caught prey is never in the paws.
Practice quests with rewards
Cats and dogs love to get food, so puzzle toys will come in handy:
- For cats, small units are sold in which you need to load food, and then the cat will try to get it by moving, pushing, rolling or hitting it until a portion of “crackers” falls out, and then he will have to try again.
- Toys for dogs are more complex. They are stands with molds and lids that you need to lift or open to find your favorite food under one of them. There are also installations where the dog must throw a ball into a special hole, press so that the ball shoots, and only then will some food fall out.
- In the store, the puzzle is quite expensive, so you can make it yourself: take a plastic mineral water bottle, cut a hole in it a little larger than a food pellet and fill the container with food. The dog will definitely spend several hours getting food, and then get tired and sleep a little.
Puzzle games will not only keep your pet occupied for some time, but will also contribute to the development of his intelligence.
Games with boxes and bags
Cats will enjoy playing with cardboard boxes of different sizes. They can be both a shelter and a toy that can be chewed and ruffled. It is enough to place one or several boxes on the floor or fasten them together, cut holes in them to create a labyrinth.
Instead of boxes, you can put a paper bag. First cut off the handles from it. Place crumpled paper in a bag or roll a ball into it. This will create an additional rustle.
It is not recommended to use plastic bags for playing. The animal may start eating them, which is dangerous to health.
Buy a fountain
But cats are always willing to play with water, even though they don’t like to wash themselves. Wetting your paw under a thin stream of water and then licking it is a favorite pastime. During the game, they will be able to drink enough water to prevent diseases of the genitourinary system, which is especially important for cats that eat dry food, because by nature they drink little.
Dogs will be interested in watching the fountain and at the same time drinking plenty.
Mouse Hunt
Hunting mice is one of the most favorite pastimes of cats. For this game you will need to purchase a toy mouse from a pet store. There are edible and groovy mice. Choose any of them and show it to your pet. If he likes the new toy, he will not let it out of his clutches for a long time.
Send the animal to a pet hotel
If you are planning to go on vacation abroad for a long time and have no one to leave your pet with, then it is better to send it to a special pet hotel.
Moving for an animal is stressful, which can be reduced if you follow some rules:
- Shortly before and on the day of relocation, you need to treat your pet kindly.
- Try not to be nervous, because animals feel everything.
- You should not overfeed your pet, worrying that he will go hungry in your absence, because severe overeating can undermine his health and cause vomiting, which will only add stress.
- It is advisable to bring your pet's favorite toy and bed so that he can sleep comfortably and feel at home.
Make her a friend
A second cat could be just what the doctor ordered for your bored pet, says Companion Animal Psychology. Two cats can keep each other company during your absence, play and lick each other. However, before you get a second pet, consider the additional costs and hassle. You should not do this if you are not sure that you are ready for double responsibility. But if you decide, introduce the animals to each other slowly, since such an experience can become a very strong experience for both cats.
Just like people, pets can get bored sitting at home all day. But with these simple tips, you can help your cat fight boredom and stay alert, engaged, active and happy for years to come!
Find a companion for your pet
Dogs are very social, unlike cats, but each of them would love the right companion. Dogs love parrots, and cats can spend hours watching fish in an aquarium.
But you can place a dog and a cat in the same house. However, such cohabitation is not suitable for huskies, cops, dachshunds and other hunting breeds, since the cat will always be prey for them, which means destruction of the premises due to “catch-up” is guaranteed.
Treasure Hunt
There are special puzzles for cats; they are sold in pet stores. You need to put a treat inside such a toy, which the cat will certainly try to get. Many animals happily play with these things for hours. You can make this puzzle yourself. To do this, you need to take an old glove and hide the treat in one of its fingers. The cat will have to find the hidden treat.
Find a dog sitter
It’s easy to find a pet sitter abroad, but this is unusual for us. However, if there is a pet hotel in the city, then you can find out about a specialist there who is ready to walk and feed the dog in your absence, but, naturally, this will not be cheap. You can also try looking for a nanny on the Internet.
Now you know what to do with your pet in your absence, so that the furniture and walls remain intact, and the animal does not get too bored. And when leaving for a long time, it is still better to take your pet with you, so as not to risk its health once again by leaving it with strangers.
Arrangement of the playing space
The animal should have its own corners in the house where it will feel confident and safe. It is better to arrange several such places in the apartment. Install special loungers in rooms, hammocks, and multi-story play centers. Place your cat's favorite toys in them. He will run from one “point” to another, occupying his attention with different toys.
Be sure to install a scratching post in the apartment so that the pet does not damage the furniture with its claws or tear up the wallpaper on the walls.
Cat fishing
There are fishing rods for cats, they are sold in pet stores. But if you don’t have such a toy at home, you can make it yourself. To do this, simply take a stick and tie a treat, a candy wrapper, or any other thing your pet likes to play with. You can sit in your favorite chair and start controlling the bait the way you want, forcing your pet to chase it.
Try to play with your cat regularly. Because she needs to move a lot in order to always feel good. We must also remember that games allow you to establish warmer and more trusting relationships with your pet.
What should you be wary of when choosing things for your cat to play with?
Those who are interested in how to entertain a cat at home should learn about dangerous objects for fun. Of course, it is convenient to play with a cat with ordinary objects. But there are things that can harm an animal. During the process, make sure that the cat does not swallow the small product. This can lead to intestinal problems and even death. What items should you hide so your cat doesn't get them? This category includes: feathers, paper clips, wire, New Year's tinsel, beads and sequins, needles, pins, etc.
How to care for two month old kittens
Nutrition. Starting from the second month, the grown-up pet is transferred to a more expanded menu. It includes lean meat (beef, turkey, chicken), sea fish, dairy products, vegetables, and cereals. The kitten should not be offered river fish, bones, fatty whole milk, potatoes, or pasta. Any salty, smoked or spicy dishes are also subject to exclusion.
If you choose ready-made food, then it should be marked “for kittens.” The feeding frequency during this period is 5-6 times a day. A two-month-old kitten significantly gains weight and the mark on the scale reaches 680-900 grams.
Toilet. The tray is placed in a permanent place. At this age, the cat is still poorly oriented and has not developed the habit of going to the toilet in a certain place. Therefore, the task of the owner who cares for the kitten is to help him get used to this. To do this, the pet is manually placed in the tray. To attract attention, you can use special sprays that are sprayed directly onto the filler.
Hygiene. The procedures for caring for a 2-month-old kitten remain the same. This includes cleaning the ears with cotton pads, washing the eyes with boiled water, and combing the fur with special brushes. From two months old, kittens can already be bathed. Water procedures are used no more than once every 4-5 weeks.
Vaccination. Immunization begins when the cat is 2 months old. Vaccination helps protect a still weak body from plague, viral, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and rabies. Some multivalent vaccines contain a component against chlamydia. Before this, the pet must be treated for ectoparasites and worms.
Chipping. At 2 months, a young cat can already be microchipped, although veterinarians believe that this can be done earlier, since introducing a microchip under the skin does not affect the well-being and health of the pet. The tiny chip contains complete information about the cat: name, date of birth, address and other important data.
Favorite games of cats
Sun beam . A laser pointer brings a lot of joy to cats. The game is simple but addictive. Direct the beam of light onto the floor for small kittens, and for older pets, you can direct the beam at the walls. No pointer? Use an ordinary mirror, remember your childhood and sunbeams.
Cardboard happiness . It's no secret that cats love to hide and climb into cardboard boxes. You can build a whole labyrinth from ordinary boxes, and if you put a ball or toy in there, the kitten will be simply happy.
Bouncing ball. An ordinary tennis ball will definitely interest the kitten and become its favorite pastime. Its jumping ability and knocking turn your pet’s leisure time into fun entertainment.
Tail. Even if you are very busy, you can always find an opportunity to play with your cat. It is enough to tie a string to your leg and move around the apartment about your business. However, here you need to be especially careful so as not to accidentally step on the cat when it is spinning around on your feet.
There are a lot of games for cats, you just need to show a little imagination. And toys for your pets are presented in a large assortment in any store of the Zoogalereya retail chain.
