For the past few years, there has been a big emphasis on cat enrichment — doing things to give your cats their best life. If you believe everything you read, you need to harness and leash train your cat, invest in cat strollers and elaborate cat trees, grow your own catnip and cat grass, and install an interactive cam so you can watch your cat, dispense treats, and play with them, all while you’re away.
It sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? And the truth is, much of it is unnecessary, and some of it isn’t even right for your cat.
Cat enrichment is not one size fits all. I love wearing dresses and being on camera! But the great majority of cats hate wearing outfits and find the human fixation with cameras annoying. I enjoy being at cat shows, but it would upset most cats to be taken away from home to spend the day in a noisy hall with 150 other cats.
Each cat is unique. So is each human. And what makes one cat happy clearly can make another cat miserable. What one human can do for their cat is impossible for another human. Let’s look at some forms of enrichment and why they may or may not be right for you and your cat.
Should Your Cat Have a Kitty Friend?
This definitely depends on the cat. A surprising number of cats actually would not welcome another cat into their home. Some cats really need the companionship of another cat. If you must leave your only cat alone for long periods of time during the day, you should find other ways to keep them happy while you’re not there, if they are otherwise happy having you as their main squeeze.
Harness and Leash Training
Leash training your cat, and outside time in general, is something not every cat enjoys. If your cat is nervous or skittish and has spent their lives indoors, being outside may be overwhelming for them. Conversely, if your cat came from a feral colony and is still a bit wild, they may find wearing a harness to be too constraining, and may have an urge to stray. It also requires the human to be patient as the cat learns to accept the harness and leash, and to be the confident helper who keeps them safe when they’re outside. These are all things to think about when considering harness and leash training.
Big, Elaborate Cat Trees
Nearly all cats would benefit from having a cool cat tree to scratch and play and nap on. But what a lot of people don’t think about is the location, and that’s actually the most important part. If you stick the tree in a dark corner that is only convenient for humans, your cat will probably not use it. Before getting a cat tree, consider the spaces in your home that your cat already likes. Will a cat tree enhance this spot for them? What size cat tree can comfortably fit there? Think in terms of the location first, then the details about the cat tree itself second.
Playtime
This is something all cats need, but the kind of play varies from cat to cat. Most cats enjoy interactive play with their humans, and also need toys they can amuse themselves with on their own. But each cat has a different play style, and a type of toy that they favor. Some cats like tiny toy mice and crinkly balls. Others may prefer sturdier toys. Some cat enjoy treat puzzles, while others are, well, puzzled by them. Some cats love catnip toys while others don’t even respond to nip. Once you figure out your cat’s preferences, get them toys that fit into that. If you go outside of what they like, don’t be surprised if the toy winds up being ignored.
As you can see, some of this goes against popular opinion on cat enrichment. But only you know what makes your cat happy. So taking your cat’s personality into consideration first will help you make the wisest decisions on what’s best for your cat, and your situation.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- Cats Are NOT Low Maintenance Pets
- How to Bring Out the Best in Your Cat
- Happy Cat Month: Enrichment Week… My Version
Very wise, Summer.
Catnip is a good case in point. There’s a lot of catnip growing outside the shelter here in CT. I bring in sprigs when visiting the cats. Maybe half of the cats roll around in the floor when they sniff it. A few love to eat it, several get hissy, some ignore it, others back away!
Cats are as unique as people.
Outstanding article! While environmental enrichment is an absolute must for all cats, the recent trend to make cat parents feel like they’re not doing enough for their cats is not helping and may actually harm cats if it makes people throw up their hands and decide it’s all too much and why bother at all.
Great advice Summer. I tried leash training Princess. You already know she’s a smarty pants, however it did not go well. She hated the harness and would like down as if she were paralyzed. I also took her outside in it and she was terrified. Big no for her. I have a nice tree for them and another sisal scratcher. They love my big picture window with bird tv. I do my best for my girls
What a wonderfully informative post, dear girl. I think, too, that the longer some cats and humans share the same space the better they get to know each other in all ways. This is extremely helpful!
You’re so right! Every cat is a unique individual, just like each person.
You are so right sweet Summer and we’re fairly quick to let our humans know if we’re not interested in something.
We had cat trees in front of windows on either side of the house so the boys had views from both sides. Their biggest pleasure was going for walks around the fields. Often we were out for more than 2 hours, but a lot of that time was taken up looking for mice. Also laying in the long grass enjoying the sun (me included).
Our big cat tree is in the front window where we can see everything that goes on in the neighborhood.
Great post. I definitely have to move one of our cat trees and put it near a window.
This is great advice! Each of my cats is unique and likes different things.
We don’t have any cat trees, Summer, but we have chairs and table pushed up under windows, so all kitties can climb up and look out.
Plus, we’ve created cat climbs from the shelves in our dining room, so kitties can go up and around.
Good points; each cat is an individual.
Just like not all people enjoy the same activities or foods.
Those are all great ideas, Summer.
Very good points you make Summer.
Mum and I have a pawsome relationship and I am happy having her all to myself 😉
Purrs, Julie