How to Deal with a Bored Cat

Bored cats are bad cats. They knock things off tables, shred furniture and dig their claws into your legs. Before assuming that your cat has a behavior problem, consider giving it a little mental stimulation---or a companion to play with when you're not around.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• toys
• another cat

1. Try hiding treats for your cat in various locations around the house. To prevent obesity, take what kitty would eat during the day, and hide small portions of that food on windowsills, table legs, any place that your cat will find.

2. A cat tower will provide an outlet for scratching, as well as some place to climb and play on. Look for one with multiple levels and hooks for hanging toys.

3. Consider getting another cat. Sure, there will be tension for a few weeks. Let them discover each other naturally, and in a few weeks they will be chasing each other around the house, wrestling, and generally having a good time.

4. Cat grass is a lovely looking plant that your cats can eat! Put a few small plants near your baseboards for kitty to nibble.

5. Some cats enjoy watching and listening to other cats on TV. Try tuning to animal planet when you're going to be leaving the house. Your cat will stare at the screen, rather than trying to chew through the tv wires. (And in case they never break THAT habit, you can try coating the wires with hot sauce.)

Tips & Warnings

• Soft Paws makes a wonderful rubber claw tip. It is attached to kitty's natural claws with a dab of glue, and prevents furniture shredding. Many people are against de-clawing cats, and these are a good alternative.
• If you adopt another cat, make sure you separate new kitty from resident kitty when you are not around. Do this for a week or so.

[motherNN]

on 2/18/2009 I call this "Kitty Cabin fever" and these are good tips for stir-crazy, bored cats!5*