Mary Allen
Loud meows, broken furniture, and being overweight: all of these can indicate that your cat is bored. What other signs there are and what you can do about it, you will find out in this guide from your animal world.
Cats often have the reputation of preferring to lie lazily on the sofa all day – cats also need exercise and mental challenges in order to feel good all around. The best way to do this, for example, is by playing together.
What happens when cats are underutilized and bored? They put their energy into other behavior – not always for their own good. Because then it can also happen that they injure themselves or eat beyond hunger. Other signs of boredom (such as constant meowing and attacking the furniture), on the other hand, are quite annoying for owners.
Why Your Cat is Bored
Veterinarian Dr. Jamie Richardson told the US magazine “Catster”: “When cats are outside, they get a lot of incentives and fall into their hunting instinct. However, through domestication, we often condemn cats to live in the house. Therefore we have to simulate their life in the wild as best as possible and offer cats the mental challenges they need. ”
These signs indicate that your cat is bored:
- Your cat meows a lot but has no pain or illness;
- It washes extremely extensively, maybe even until skin irritation occurs;
- She pees in the apartment;
- It destroys curtains or furniture;
- Your cat eats too much and becomes overweight.
This is How You Drive Away Boredom in Your Cat
The good news: Even if boredom leads to undesirable behavior, you can do something about it quickly and easily. The vet has a few tips for this.
A good place to start would be to get a scratching post if you don’t already have one. Your kitty can climb around there and sharpen her claws. In addition, some cat trees come with integrated toys. This allows the cat to live out its hunting and play instinct.
You can also keep your cat busy with other toys: feathers, motorized toys, or catnip, for example. Many cats also love to chase laser pointers – but it is important that they lead to a target, explains Dr. Richardson. For a treat, for example, this gives your cat the feeling of having chased its food itself.
Another important point: If your cat suddenly changes its behavior, you should always consult your trusted veterinarian – this can indicate not only boredom but also injuries or illnesses.