Obese cats, stressed cats, inappropriate marking behaviors and destructive behaviors can all be helped with appropriate enrichment. Our domestic feline's ancestors are natural predators that spend a good portion of their day hunting. Providing foraging opportunities for cats by placing their food in different places around the house, inside puzzle toys, and feeding interactively helps provide much needed mental stimulation and exercise. Providing places for cats to perch and observe their outdoor environment will provide mental stimulation. Interaction with them using feather or wand toys, playing fetch or laser tag provides aerobic activity. Cat TV or streaming music can also provide stimulation for your cat when you are not at home. Hiding places are important too, so your cat can rest and relax in a stress free environment cardboard boxes, high sided cat beds and tunnels work well.Julie Cieplik, DVM
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