my cat is very bored, any suggestions what to give him to keep him busy? he doesn't like scratching post.?
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at
6:16 am
23 Comments
Cheap Cat Furniture
Cat furniture, cat trees and cat condos are great additions to a cat lover's home, as they provide hours of good fun for the feline companions and keep your own furniture intact.
Cat scratching is a perfectly normal behavior for a cat, and if your cat is scratching a chair or your favorite couch, then you just need to somehow re-direct his or her scratching to other, more appropriate objects.
The consensus from the various Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is that de-clawing is cruel and unnecessary. I can only agree with this conclusion. However, if you feel that you must either declaw your cat or give her up, we would rather see your cat stay in her home and be your lifelong companion. I only ask that you do not make this decision lightly and just be absolutely sure that you will not change your mind later about keeping your indoor cat once you have it declawed.
You can use nail caps for the cat's front paws as an alternative to getting the cat de-clawed. This is a much more humane choice and it does work to protect the furniture. Just make sure you do not use nail caps on a cat that goes outside, as it will have no defense.
Most pet shops offer different selections of cat scratch posts from which to choose. Some have carpet or rug material on wooden posts and bases. Others are made of rope which is wrapped around the post or pole.
Then there are cat towers and cat trees which are great for the cat to climb and play besides being there for scratching purposes.
Other people like to design their own and make them themselves. This is another option for you as well. Besides going to your local pet store, you can look online for these different cat trees, towers and scratch posts.
One thing that can work well if your cat is still scratching the furniture is to spray some citrus oil on the chair or the couch that they are attacking. This is a good deterrent that usually works quite effectively.
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Buy (or build yourself) a nice tall and sturdy cat tree or two for him – giving him vertical space to climb and prowl in will help keep him happy.
Set aside time every day for interactive play, preferably right before mealtimes (to mimic the natural order of hunting, and then eating his prey).
You can also set up things to keep him occupied during the day – hide treats and safe toys (no string or tiny loose parts that can be swallowed) in various places around the house for him to ‘hunt’, leave some empty boxes around for him to play in, etc. There are lots of great ideas in the article on ‘environmental enrichment’ linked below.
Clicker training is also a great way to interact with your cat and teach him fun tricks, to keep his mind active.
If he’s an only cat, you might want to consider getting him a playmate, but if you do, make sure to choose carefully, and follow the instructions in the article linked below to introduce the new cat or kitten. If you choose to add another cat to your household, since your cat is a boy, I’d recommend another male (neutered, of course), as they seem to play better together. My two neutered male cats love to wrestle together, but my two female cats don’t appreciate the boys’ attempts to wrestle with them.
BUY ANOTHER CAT
Get a crapload of mice. Spread them around the house. Watch as the fun ensues
I never could get a cat to actually use a scratching post either, though people talk about training kitties to posts all the time.
Try wadding up a piece of paper and throwing it: As far as most cats go, that’s the world’s best toy. Or you could check in pet or novelty stores for one of those balls that blinks lights and twitters when it moves. I saw one a couple of years ago, and my kitties love it! I’ve not seen any since then, but that doesn’t mean much.
You might even consider getting your kitten a companion. But keep in mind that kitties are territorial animals, so care should be used in introducing the new feline.
Good luck!
CATNIP CATS LOVE CATNIP
Get a small puppy to be his friend. They will have all sorts of fun playing together.
Pay attention to him – put him on your lap & pet him while you’re on the computer or watching tv.
Buy him some toys and some cat nip.
Maybe your cat would like another cat around.
Does your cat seem happy even though he’s bored? Some cats may seem bored to you, but actually, they are content.
I just gave my cat a nice tiger striped mouse with a hidden pouch for half a vial of catnip to go in, that comes with it!
He went nuts! Loves it. He already has it soaking wet from all the times he has kissed it. Also trying to find that mysterious pouch!
He has worked to the point of wearing himself out and he hasn’t found that pouch yet.
It didin’t work well yesterday, though. Cause I gave it to him, and he made a little yelp! Leaped up into the air, took it immediately into another room where I didn’t see it, and promptly, within just 2 to 3 minutes! Managed to lose it under a piece of furniture I could not move. Then looked at me mournfully.
I got a big long fly swatter this morning and fished it back out of there. Because of the catnip scent, he was able to tell me where it was.
These can also be purchased with a string so they can be hung on the door knob. But don’t let a kitten get the string unattended. They hang themselves! Really.
Catnip is a nutritional supplement, I think, and is very good for you’re cat. Don’t give straight catnip to often, start with smallest amount first, or it will wear off, possibly. Good for full moon fun! Or anytime at all.
there is a kind of scratching post that you put catnip in a little slot and cats will scratch at it all day. I have one and all three of my cats fight over it. You could also get a lot toys my cats like the little balls.You clould also get another cat for it to play with.
SHOW HIM HOW TO GET ON LINE WITH OTHER CATS CATS R VERY SMART
Toys, lots of toys. Also, spend time with him. Get one of those feather dangly things on a pole and play with him. My cats could play for hours with that thing. One of my cats likes the little ball in the track. That one also likes yarn balls but he shreds them so if yours does the same expect a mess. The other likes ribbons (bad for cats that will eat them so only when supervised) and milk rings (but he eats them so not when unsupervised) so I got him some little rings cat toys that he can’t eat. He loves them. Another cat would help if they get along, but only do that if you are ready to support another pet for life. Remember what it takes to take care of an animal (food, medical bills, neutering, vaccines, etc.) and be ready for that first.
Also, I found these balls one time, but I haven’t found them again. You might look around online, but they are like kongs for dogs. They are balls with a hole in them that you put their food in so they have to work to get it out. It’s a good way to make your cat work for his food so he doesn’t get fat and lazy. My cats go nuts for them.
Here are some good toys.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778415&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033745&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1168798672252&itemNo=2&In=Cat&N=2033745&Ne=2
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775025&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033745&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1168798672221&itemNo=0&In=Cat&N=2033745&Ne=2
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441781306&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033745&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1168798734704&itemNo=24&Nao=24&In=Cat&N=2033745&Ne=2
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=728&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=681&iSubCat=683&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=728
http://www.petedge.com/jump.jsp?itemType=INDEX&itemID=596
Scratching posts are not necessarily a toy to keep your cat busy, although there is a turbo scratcher that is round and has a ball that goes around the outside of the scratcher (WALMART) They can occupy their time batting the ball around the scratcher. Some cats like playing with the little toy mice or the furry balls that you can buy for cats ( I brought 2 new balls home for mine before Christmas, and threw them down for my 2 cats and I haven"t seen them since) I know they are under something but have been unable to find them.You could also get him a companion kitty. It can be a lonely life for a cat, especially if you work and the cat is alone for periods of time.
You don’t need to buy expensive cat toys to keep your cat entertained and interested. You can make some yourself. Take a flat cardboard box and cut out some different shaped holes in it then put a ping pong ball inside, close up the box and watch your cat try to get the ball. Rub some catnip on your scratching post. Cut the end of an old sock off, stuff it with material and throw it for him to run after and bring back. Anything that rolls along the floor will keep him occupied. You can get little toys in plastic capsules from a gum machine for 25 cents. Just make sure they can’t open to let little itty bitty things get out which your cat might swallow and choke on. Finally, the suggestion to get another cat is an excellent one. As long as they are introduced properly so there is no territory rivalry, they will keep each other entertained.
Try giving your kitty some catnip, or find some string and tie a feather or wadded up piece of paper to it. Drag it on and around the floor and your cat will likely follow it. When your kitty is just about to grab the string, lift it up quickly and watch as he/she jumps and does a little flip. It’s a ton of fun to play with your cat, and your kitty will love you for it! A word of advice, don’t mess with the cat while he/shes on catnip unless you want to get scratched.
scrunched up piece of paper or cardboard box
You could get your cat a little kitten and mice.
Take an empty tissue box & put a cat toy in it, give him empty paper bags (if they have handles cut them off), a cardboard box with a ball in it, take a bunch of cardboard boxes & stick them together so he can explore (like a tunnel), rearrange them every once in awhile so he has something new to explore.
Buy him some catnip and a corrugated cardboard scratching pad. Put the catnip on that scratching pad. He should like that one. K Mart sells both.
I used to take my cats for walks, until I moved and there’s too much traffic here. They will follow you anywhere. Just make sure they follow you home. Ha ha.
Also they like catnip filled balls (comes in the catnip KMart sells)
get a laser pointer and give him a little run around he will love it and its good exercise too
honestly playing with the cat yourself would entertain it. one way to do this is cut a really long piece of curly ribbon and hold one end of it. put the other end in fron of the cat, when its in a playful mood and pull it slowly. when i do this with my cat it will follow the string al around the house. its fun for the cat and amusing for you to watch. plus its a cheap way to keep it entertained all it costs is like 15 minutes of your time.
As far as scratching…..if claw marks are a problem and he doesn’t like the post, you might try a natural fiber mat. There are mats made, usually of sisel but sometimes also hemp, sold as door mats or floor runners. Cats love this stuff! I had a runner in my bedroom for years and every cat in the house came into my room to scratch on that runner. We didn’t have clawmarks anywhere else in the house either.
As far as bored kitty, there are quite a few options. I swear that laser pointers were invented for the owners of bored cats! They will literally try to run up walls to catch that point of light. A feather on a fishing pole works really well too. Your cat will still be interested long after you’re ready to call it quits.
When you’re not home, try getting him a puzzle toy. These are toys that you stash treats or another smaller toy inside of and the cat has to figure out how to get it out. This can keep your cat occupied for a very long time. Balls and mice that he can bat around are very low tech and can entertain pretty well also. If you’re into this sort of thing, consider one of those robo vacuum cleaners. A couple friends who have easily bored cats say they’re cats love chasing after the vacuum cleaner (plus, you’ll get clean floors). Hope this helps!
Catnip. Cats love it. If the catnip doesn’t work, try buying some softbite mice. My cats actually fought over them they loved them so much. They didn’t fight mean… just sorta playful if you know what I mean. My cats have about $150 worth of toys, but the thing they like most is a $2 remote control mouse that is like a remote control car except a mouse. They adore that thing. They have a lot of jingly balls and small burlap catnip sacks, but that’s their favorite toy. I just went on petsmart.com the other day though and bought them some new softbite mice and a new tub of catnip… so they’ll be having the time of their lives in the next couple of days with those new toys. Cats tend to like things with a lot of movement. I got some of these "cat with an attitude" teaser stick things. They’re just a plastic rod with a long leopard print fabric sleeve type thing attached, and have a little stuffed animal filled with cat nip on the end, and you just wave that around and they like it a lot, but if you’re not moving it around they aren’t interested.
I agree with the person who said laser pointers. I use a flash light with my cats because I have yet to get myself to buy a laser pointer specifically for that reason, but they love the flash light, and a laser pointer would be even better. You can buy them for like $15 at petsmart, or in my local grocery store and wal-mart you can get one for $7… they run cheap and cats do love them. Just be careful not to shine it in their eyes.
Buy a lazer (we got a pen one at walgreens for 2.99) they love chasing it!! And its also a good way for them to get some exercise! =]