Celebrating National Cat Lovers' Month

Although our feline companions may believe every month should be National Cat Lovers' Month, this month it’s official! To celebrate our marvellous feline patients, the team has compiled a collection of enriching activities to help keep your cat’s environment stimulating and enjoyable.

Environmental enrichment is all about providing your cat with engaging, cat-friendly toys, activities, and situations that encourage them to explore and exhibit natural behaviours. This is particularly crucial for indoor cats, as it helps fulfil their mental and physical needs.

Beyond offering fun and mental engagement, a varied environmental enrichment plan can:

• Support your cat's physical fitness and strength.
• Provide a positive outlet for their energy by encouraging behaviours such as stalking, chasing, pouncing, and scratching.
• Reduce unwanted behaviours like inappropriate play or scratching of furniture.
• Help lower stress and anxiety.
• Strengthen the bond between you and your pet by offering enjoyable shared experiences.

While you can purchase fancy “cat furniture,” there are plenty of affordable and creative DIY enrichment options you can try at home.

(and can be quite entertaining for you too!).

Try out various toys to see what your cat enjoys most. Consider:

• Fishing rod-style toys with feathers or “fur.”
• Ping pong balls or crumpled paper balls they can bat around.
• Small, soft toys to toss or hide for your cat to hunt.
• Larger toys that your cat can bite or claw at.
• Interactive toys with moving parts to capture their attention.

After your cat interacts with the toy, reward them with a tasty treat to reinforce playtime.

Scratching is a natural feline instinct that helps your cat stretch, mark territory, and maintain healthy claws.

To prevent your cat from scratching furniture or carpets, provide them with at least two sturdy scratching surfaces. One should be horizontal (like a scratching “lounge”), and the other should be a vertical post tall enough for them to fully stretch while using it.

Cats typically prefer materials that offer resistance, such as corrugated cardboard, carpet, untreated wood, or sisal fabric. Avoid sisal rope as many cats don't find it as satisfying.

If your cat isn’t on a specialised diet for health reasons, they may enjoy sampling a variety of healthy treats, such as small pieces of cooked chicken or fish. Offering different flavours and textures can be a delightful sensory experience for them.

You can also scatter dried treats or kibble around your home for your cat to “hunt,” or use puzzle feeders to make mealtimes more interactive. This can help prevent overeating and promote a sense of fullness.

Cats are natural climbers, and they love nothing more than scaling heights to find a comfortable spot to observe their

Contact the team if you would like more information on maintaining your cat’s mental and physical health. Otherwise, if you have concerns about potential unwellness or behavioural issues in your pet, please call our surgery for an appointment or make a booking online.