{"id":1437,"date":"2016-08-11T08:31:58","date_gmt":"2016-08-11T08:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com\/?p=1437"},"modified":"2023-09-01T09:05:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T14:05:27","slug":"indoor-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com\/health\/indoor-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"The Great Indoors: Enriching the Environment for Indoor Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Cats have a reputation for being independent, low-maintenance pets \u2014 so much so that it\u2019s often said everyone needs \u201ca dog to adore you and a cat to ignore you.\u201d But as it turns out, they\u2019re not as self-sufficient as you may think, especially when it comes to living indoors.<\/p>\n
You might assume that indoor cats have a cushy life: no cars or vicious dogs to deal with, and food is served up without a protracted hunt. However, they often fall victim to something less obvious \u2014 stress from boredom and lack of stimulation.<\/p>\n
This underlying stress can lead to urinary tract disease, obesity, increased vulnerability to infections and gastrointestinal issues. It might also manifest in behavior problems such as accidents outside the litter box, aggression and overgrooming.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to visit your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues that could contribute to the problem. Once your cat gets a clean bill of health, you can look into ways to enrich the environment to meet your cat\u2019s physical, emotional and social needs.<\/p>\n
To help, the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine created Environmental Needs Guidelines<\/a> for cats, which focus on five basic principles.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to create a safe area where your cat can get away from children and other pets, or snooze in privacy.<\/p>\n Try leaving an open cardboard box or paper shopping bag (with the handles cut off) on the floor, and chances are, your cat will hide inside it. A cat carrier lined with a soft blanket, toys and treats can also be a great place to hide.<\/p>\n Many cats prefer to perch in high places, such as cat trees and shelving, where they can feel less vulnerable to potential predators. Perches can be placed near a window, where your cat can keep an eye on birds and other prey outside.<\/p>\nCats Need a Safe Retreat<\/h3>\n