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While keeping kittens indoors has significant benefits, protecting them from a large number of dangers, it does require you to pay attention to the provision of enrichment opportunities. While kittens spend a great deal of their time sleeping, their periods of wakefulness can and should be used to stimulate psychological and physical activity. The natural predatory/play behavior of kittens is usually easy to stimulate with interactive toys, such as feathers on a string or flicking a laser dot along the floor and walls. One way to defeat the “nighttime crazies” is to have a pet owner engage in active, vigorous play before feeding your kitten at bedtime. This mimics the natural hunting-feeding-grooming-sleeping sequence of cats.
Kittens also can be trained. They will respond quite favorably to clicker training using a high-quality food treat as reinforcement. As with dogs, training sequences can be used to ensure that kittens are getting adequate physical and mental exercise. Many cats also benefit from social activity with other cats, especially if they were introduced to other cats early in life. Cats put a premium on managing space, so it is important that multiple-cat homes offer a variety of places to hide, sleep, and observe, using both the horizontal and vertical dimensions.
A greater challenge is providing enrichment opportunities for dogs and cats when a person or another pet is not present to interact with them. Kittens and cats will spend a great deal of time watching out windows, especially if there is a bird feeder or butterfly garden within view, so make sure to keep at least one window blind open—especially if it looks out to an area with frequent movement and activity.
Providing your kitten with enrichment opportunities helps to prevent stress and the development of abnormal behaviors. These abnormal behaviors, in turn, put a strain on the pet owner and can play a key role in eventual relinquishment. Enrichment also provides a context for physical and psychological exercise that supports the overall well-being of your kitten.
Adopting a cat can see you develop one of the most beautiful bonds of your life as you connect with your feline friend. Cats are playful creatures who can be very affectionate and form a strong relationship with you. Every time you play with your cat or simply spend time with them, you may notice a significant drop in stress levels and experience a boost of happiness. However, it is important to remember that cat adoption is a big decision which comes with a lot of responsibilities. Your home will become the cat’s home and you become their family. To ensure they get the best possible future with you, there are a few things that you need to understand before proceeding with cat adoption.
Whether you are opting to adopt a kitten or a grown cat, here are some things you need to consider before going through with the entire process.
Adoption is a permanent duty and a bond that lasts for a lifetime. When you bring home a rescued cat or adopt one from a shelter, you are providing the animal with new hope. The cat will be a member of your family and you will need to treat them as such. The lifespan of cats generally ranges from 12 to 20 years, and this is how long your commitment will be. Only once you have considered the enormity of your decision and are ready for it, should you go through with cat or kitten adoption.
Before you bring home an adopted or a rescued cat, you will need to make a few changes in your house to create favourable conditions for them. You can begin by doing the following:
Cover up exposed electrical wires in a way that the cat can’t reach them (since they might try to chew up the wire, which can lead to a severe accident).
Prepare your kids and teach them the basics of being responsible around a cat.
Keep a special room or space for the cat, so they can feel safe and get a sense of belonging.
Find a vet near your area where you can take the rescued cat for regular check-ups.
Adopting a cat also has many benefits such as:
If you adopt a cat instead of buying one, you will be helping a cat in need. You will be giving a rescued cat much-needed shelter, their own space, and a family that loves them.
One of the biggest benefits of adopting a cat from a shelter is that they often have an already established personality. This makes it easier for people to adopt a cat that best suits their lifestyle.
When adopting a cat, here are a few factors you should keep in mind:
If you have other cats at home, you will need to adopt a cat that likes their company. You can talk to the shelter home about this, so they direct you to cats who bond well with other cats.
When you adopt a cat, you should be able to make time for them and give them proper care and attention. You can also consider adopting a cat whose lifestyle matches yours. For instance, a cat who likes being independent can be a perfect choice for someone who is often busy.
To give your cat the best life, ensure that you have all of the following essentials:
