What are the top three items cat owners should have in their homes for their cats’ enrichment?

1. Toys — lots of them: There are a lot of interactive toys available now that can entertain them and keep them busy. Be sure they are safe-no small pieces or parts that could be swallowed and cause gastrointestinal issues.

2. Scratching posts: Give them both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Scratching posts made from cardboard and sisal rope are favorites for cats. If they are vertical, buy a tall one as they like to stretch and reach when scratching.

3. Cat trees: Cats like to be vertical and off the ground. Cat trees or wall shelves give them the opportunity to be elevated which makes them less stressed and happy especially if you have children or dogs.

What are the most common signs of illness in cats that owners should look out for?

Cats are very good at hiding their symptoms when sick. Be sure to monitor their food and water bowl to ensure they are consuming adequate food and water on a daily basis.

Monitor the litter box daily to determine that they are urinating and having normal bowel movements.

Also, keep an eye out for vomiting or any urination outside of the litter box. Cats will often hide or avoid the family when they don’t feel good, so if you aren’t seeing them hanging around like usual, there may be something wrong.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary or symptoms mentioned above, it would be worth a visit to your primary care veterinarian to assess their health.

Do you recommend letting pet cats roam outdoors? Why or why not?

While giving a cat outdoor access can be a positive enrichment experience, it can be filled with many dangers, especially if you live in a suburban area.

Of course, the biggest concern is the potential for vehicular trauma, which causes very serious injuries requiring extensive veterinary care or even death.

Other hazards include exposure to toxins, such as antifreeze; wild animals, such as coyotes or even big dogs; and exposure to the elements, such as heat and cold, which can cause significant medical issues.

To give them the outdoor experience without the hazards, consider building them a “catio,” such as these. Catios are a great way for them to enjoy the sunshine and avoid the dangers that lurk outside.

How much exercise do cats need in a day? What’s the best way to make sure they get enough exercise?

Cats are crepuscular, which means they are most active in the morning and the evening. This is when they tend to exercise the most and a time when you can engage them in play that will help burn some energy and enrich their daily life.

At least 15-30 minutes of play per day is recommended to keep your cat healthy and active. This is good time to pull out the laser pointer or the feather wand to get them moving. Not only does this give them exercise for their body, but it also exercises their mind, which is great at reducing stress and making them a happier, healthier cat.

Stress has a significant negative impact on the health of cats, so providing them ways to exercise and enrich their lives is highly beneficial.

What does a healthy diet look like for a strictly indoor cat?

A healthy diet for a cat would be feeding a good-quality, commercially available dry kibble that feeds to their life stage. For example, a kitten should eat a diet formulated for kittens, and a senior cat should eat a diet formulated for a senior.

Feeding canned food, in addition to the dry kibble, also benefits cats as they will intake more water eating canned food, which is important to help cats maintain a healthy urinary tract.

Be sure to follow the feeding guidelines or consult with your primary care veterinarian on the amount to feed as you don’t want to overfeed them, which can lead to obesity.

In addition, using a water fountain will help cats drink more water and can also be a source of enrichment for them.

What are the top three items cat owners should have in their homes for their cats’ enrichment?

Cats are designed to be amazing hunters that eat many meals of small prey daily. This requires constant surveillance of an area and the ability to hunt and capture wily prey items.

Cats are also vulnerable to becoming prey for larger hunters and territorial disputes with other cats.

To allow for natural behaviors, cats need to be able to do all of these activities: hunt, view, and hide. That means having perches and safe hiding areas for our feline friends.

1. Many cat trees provide both types of these spaces, but a fancy tree is not necessary. Cats love perching in windows and hiding in boxes.
2. Cats need to hunt, but that does not mean you need to have mice in the house. Playing with toys is actually a hunting activity, especially wand toys.
3. Puzzle feeders are terrific for simulating hunting and giving cats the chance for problem-solving. However, there is a learning curve. Cats need to start with puzzle feeders that easily release treats, then progress to more difficult ones.

Do you recommend letting pet cats roam outdoors? Why or why not?

There are pros and cons to letting cats outdoors. Going outdoors allows for the types of activities discussed in the previous question –– hunting, hiding, and viewing.

However, outdoor cats risk catching diseases or parasites and injuries such as bite wounds or road accidents. Free roaming cats contribute to the decline in bird populations but get an unfair amount of blame. Humans are the largest cause of the decrease in birds due to habitat loss.

Being inside is safe but boring. Many indoor cats are overweight as they are inactive and may view eating as a hobby.

Enrichment is vital for indoor cats. There are some creative solutions to combine the safety of indoors with the fun of outdoors for our kitties. “Catification,” indoor cat play structures, and “catios,” enclosed outdoor areas, are wonderful.

What are the most common signs of illness in cats that owners should look out for?

Cats do not like to make it easy for their owners to know when they are ill. Many times they do not tell us until they are very sick. The best thing a cat lover can do is to watch for changes.

Signs of illness may include

1. losing weight
2. showing changes in appetite, drinking, or urination
3. vomiting, having diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing.

If you think your cat may be ill, consult a veterinarian. If your cat is having trouble breathing or is not urinating, this is an emergency.

How much exercise do cats need in a day? What’s the best way to make sure they get enough exercise?

Cats are too smart to exercise just for the sake of exercise, but like the rest of us, benefit from activity. Playing with your cat once or twice daily is great for the cat and fun, as well.

What does a healthy diet look like for a strictly indoor cat?

There is no single diet that is ideal for all cats. Is the cat young? Old? Active? Sedentary? Are there any medical issues? All of these are important to consider. Obesity is a problem for many indoor cats, so it is important to control intake.

Most cats need about 250-300 kcal per day, but the calorie content of food is quite variable. Check labels and calculate how much of that particular diet a cat should eat. In multi-cat homes, it may be difficult to regulate how much each cat eats. Microchip-activated feeders are very handy for this.