Keeping Indoor Cats Healthy and Happy

After losing our last cat all too soon by allowing him outside, we decided the next kitty we adopted was going to be loved indoors only. It's a first time for me though, to have a strictly indoor cat. I've always let my cats come and go freely, indoors and out. But, when you loose a cat to the luck of nature or traffic or otherwise, you rethink your values and yet, still try to provide the same fairness, in requiring your new kitty to stay indoors at all times.

You might think, as I did, that you'd be neglecting a cat from part of it's natural life by not letting it go outside, though quite the opposite can be true. Due to the long list of reasons cats can loose their lives outdoors, it is estimated that strictly indoor cats live on average, twice as long as outdoor cats, or longer. So, if you don't mind making a few minor changes to your home, you can create a cat friendly environment for any kitty you wish to keep indoors, and help provide them a long happy and healthy life too!

One of the first things you want to consider about having a strictly indoor cat, are the plants in your home. You may have house plants that you wish your kitty not to chew on, and you may also have plants in your house that might be toxic to your new cat as well. Keep in mind if your plants are safe for your pet, and if they are not, consider giving them away. Cats are capable of climbing into all kinds of spaces, so it's best to simply keep your home as pet and plant friendly as possible. Second, you can plant small herb gardens or catnip and other grasses in windowsills where your new cat may be allowed to play. Having specific plant filled areas that are made for your kitty, can help her learn what she is allowed to chew on, and she may possibly just ignore the rest. I found an excellent and resourceful list of Safe and Toxic Plants for Cats at http://www.CatScans.com .

Next you might want to consider creating a designated space for your kitty that she can call her own. Like people, cats enjoy having their own personal space now and then. You may think about getting your new kitty her own bed and a few toys, but you might also consider building a wall shelf or getting a cat tree for your new furry feline as well. Cat trees and pet safe wall shelves are great for cats, because they enjoy spending time in high places. And on top of that, many cat trees also have great scratching posts built into them, that help keep your kitty's claws healthy, and your furniture from getting destroyed.

Last but not least, you'll want to make sure that your indoor cat gets plenty of play time and exercise into her day. Just as you and I may not move around as much getting cooped up in the house, so do our kitties. Try a few different toys until you find ones you know your cat enjoys. Then, encourage her to play with them. And don't be afraid to surprise your kitty with new things once in a while too. Mischievous as they are, sometimes the best cat toy is a crinkled piece of paper or a simple ball of foil.

Believe it or not, cats are not that hard to please, and creating a loving and healthy environment for an indoor cat doesn't have to be hard either. By keeping in mind the basic needs of a cat, and helping provide simple elements, your kitty can be safe in her home for many years to come, and perfectly content, if given the right environment to live, to love, and to be loved.