June 28, 2009

Dear Obie,
I really enjoy your column, and I appreciate the way you encourage cat owners to keep their cats indoors. Outdoor cats not only face many dangers, but they also have an adverse effect on the bird and rabbit populations. I have three cats, Francis, Jeremiah and Da Guy, and they are all indoor-only cats. But I do have a question. What are some suggestions you might have for keeping my indoor cats entertained?
Signed, Gill
Pasadena, California


Dear Gill,
Thank you for your kind words, and for keeping your cats indoors. They will live longer and healthier lives because of it!

I can understand your concern about keeping your indoor cats entertained. Many humans are afraid that their cats will get bored if they are kept indoors, but humans don't understand cats that well. What seems boring to a human may not be boring to a cat. Sitting and staring out a window would be boring for a human, but us cats love it. The world outside our windows is exciting and unpredictable, and there is so much happening out there. We see other animals prowling around, and people, and birds, and even something as small as a bug walking in the grass will catch our eyes.

But, if you feel your cat is getting bored, then there are things you can do to entertain them. Playing with your cat not only helps keep them occupied, it increases your bond with them and helps keep them healthy by reducing obesity and keeping their muscles toned. Playing with them allows them to vent excess energy, and will help them sleep longer during the night. Sometimes. My humans play with me all the time, but that doesn't stop me from racing through their room chasing Meeshka or Mackenzie at two A.M.! And playing with your cat allows them to release any aggression they might have on the toy and not on your ankles!

If your cat is being bad, don't try to distract him or her from their bad behavior by initiating play. Play is seen by a cat as a reward, and we will think we are being rewarded for being bad. Wait until your cat is calm and quiet and being good, then play with them. Also, try not to use your hands, fingers or toes as play objects, because this will encourage kitty to scratch or bite them. Use a toy. If play gets too rough, stop and put away the toy until kitty has calmed down.

Set aside a specific time of day for play. Cats are creatures of habit, and knowing that play time is approaching will make us feel comfortable, and will often prevent bad behavior before it starts.

So what can you play with your cat? Oh, the ideas are without limit! Teach your cat to play fetch, by attaching a favorite ball to a string, throwing it, and reeling it back to you. The cat will learn to return the ball for more play. Pull the ball around the house at the end of the string and watch kitty chase it. Us cats love to chase moving objects. If there is someone else in your house who likes to play with kitty, sit at opposite ends of a room and toss a plush ball back and forth. I especially love this game! Even tossing a piece of dry cat food across the floor will provoke a reaction, and watching a cat chase food like that is so much fun.

My humans have a laser pointer, and my sister and I will chase that red dot all over the house. My humans also like to get on the floor with me and move a toy beneath the rug. They love to watch me stalk it and pounce! I also like it when my humans put a cardboard box on the floor for me to jump into, and them scratch the outside of it. I try so hard to catch whatever is scratching at that box.

One hint I would give you is to put away your kitty's favorite toy when you're not playing with them. Leave some toys out when you're not home, but save the favorites for your special time together. That always makes them more special!

I hope these suggestions will help to make your human-kitty time more special!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
Why do cats eat houseplants?
Signed, Sarah
Shenandoah, Texas


Dear Sarah,
One theory suggests that cats eat plants because our larger cousins in the wild chew on grass and other plants to aid in their digestion. Another thought is that different plants attract cats due to their scent, or texture. Whatever the reason, it is true that some cats do attempt to eat plants, and that can be dangerous.

There are an amazing number of plants that are dangerous for cats, including ferns, evergreen, eucalyptus, boxwood, Black-eyed Susan, primrose, rhododendron, irises and lilies. For a complete list, I would suggest going to the Cat Fanciers' Association website at cfainc.org. In addition, plants provide great hiding places for disease-carrying insects. If you have cats, I would suggest silk or plastic plants!

However, if kitty seems to crave having something green and organic to chomp on, how about providing him with cat grass? Many pet stores and online catalogs sell small containers of safe cat grass, and most cats love it. Most are rich in minerals, vitamins and nutrients and are grown from organic sources. All you have to do is add water! Try them and see what happens.

Your friend,
Obie

*****

"No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch."
-Leo Dworken - Author

*****

I am a cat. And, even though I am smart and talented and gorgeous, I am still just a cat. I am not a vet. Never make medical decisions for your cat without consulting a vet. Thank you!