Cats who spend time outdoors lead an eventful and exciting life.
Unfortunately they can also lead dangerous and sometimes very short lives.
For your cat's protection you may wish to keep her indoors.
Indoor cats can become bored and start to exhibit unwanted behaviors such as scratching the furniture, fighting with other cats in the household or excessive licking from frustration.
You can help your indoor cat to have a full rich life by adding some stimulation to her environment.
Buy her toys.
Everyone including your cat loves to play.
Cats are natural hunters so buy toys that bring out the wild beast in her.
You might bring her home some wind-up mice or a wand with feathers on a string so she can stalk them and bat them around.
Something as simple as a paper bag can engage her for hours at a time.
Cats love the crinkling noise that a paper bag makes.
Some cats enjoy videos of birds and small animals.
They will sit and watch the animals and birds on the screen, chirping and batting at them.
You could leave one of these videos playing while you are at work to give your cat something to do.
If you can't find a video, leave your television on a nature channel.
Your cat will still enjoy this and be happier when you come home.
Cats love boxes.
Cut holes in a box so that she can poke her paws through and "attack".
An aquarium can entertain your cat for a long time.
Set bird feeders outside of windows to attract birds and small animals for her enjoyment.
Put a shelf on the windowsill so she has a comfortable perch to view the outdoors.
If you do want to take your cat outside, invest in a harness and leash.
The ASPCA has an excellent article on their website to help you train your cat to walk on a leash.
Be sure that her id tags are up to date just in case she should get away and get lost.
These are just some of the ways you can make your indoor cat's life richer and fuller.
Besides a clean bowl of water, a full food dish and a clean litter box, your attention and love will be the things that will help your cat live a long and happy life.
Unfortunately they can also lead dangerous and sometimes very short lives.
For your cat's protection you may wish to keep her indoors.
Indoor cats can become bored and start to exhibit unwanted behaviors such as scratching the furniture, fighting with other cats in the household or excessive licking from frustration.
You can help your indoor cat to have a full rich life by adding some stimulation to her environment.
Buy her toys.
Everyone including your cat loves to play.
Cats are natural hunters so buy toys that bring out the wild beast in her.
You might bring her home some wind-up mice or a wand with feathers on a string so she can stalk them and bat them around.
Something as simple as a paper bag can engage her for hours at a time.
Cats love the crinkling noise that a paper bag makes.
Some cats enjoy videos of birds and small animals.
They will sit and watch the animals and birds on the screen, chirping and batting at them.
You could leave one of these videos playing while you are at work to give your cat something to do.
If you can't find a video, leave your television on a nature channel.
Your cat will still enjoy this and be happier when you come home.
Cats love boxes.
Cut holes in a box so that she can poke her paws through and "attack".
An aquarium can entertain your cat for a long time.
Set bird feeders outside of windows to attract birds and small animals for her enjoyment.
Put a shelf on the windowsill so she has a comfortable perch to view the outdoors.
If you do want to take your cat outside, invest in a harness and leash.
The ASPCA has an excellent article on their website to help you train your cat to walk on a leash.
Be sure that her id tags are up to date just in case she should get away and get lost.
These are just some of the ways you can make your indoor cat's life richer and fuller.
Besides a clean bowl of water, a full food dish and a clean litter box, your attention and love will be the things that will help your cat live a long and happy life.