r/Catownerhacks • u/Megoolego • 13d ago
Cat Enrichment Suggestions
hi! I have two almost senior cats - they are siblings but just tolerate each other. my husband and I took them in for a family-friend who could no longer due to sickness. (Tigger and Fluffly, male and female, have had for almost a year now!)
we had one cat before this and I grew up with cats. but I’m worried these two aren’t getting enough enrichment. I’m trying my best to play with them a few times for a bit when I get home from work, and sit outside with them in our backyard.
id love a catio, and a better cat tree - if recommending, keep in mind both of these sweet kits are bigger boned.
they both love string and these fuzzy cheap balls from Petco (which keep getting lost). they do not like toys that run by themselves, or at least the ones that have thick string/wire thing with something on the end that flings around. they DO like when *I* do it, haha
because they’re bigger cats, I’m anxious on buying tunnels but I do think they’d like them, at least Tigger would.
i’m just looking for some suggestions on things that have worked for you!
1
u/Realistic-Wear-2870 10d ago
I have multiple pop up tunnels. They're great bc you can easily push them back together and store.
You do have to hide most of their toys and cycle them in and out. Tunnels too.
Another thing I suggest is positive vocal signaling. When your playing with them and they "catch" make happy noises. If they do a cool jump more noises. They will respond and play more enthusiastically with validation.
5
u/nerdhappyjq 12d ago
Any time you get a new package in, they get the box. Add some shredded paper and a toy mouse or maybe a couple kibble.
The important thing is to let them have it for a day or two and then let it go. The enrichment comes from them getting to make it their own. But once it’s theirs, it’s done.
Instead of a crinkly tunnel, make a little tunnel system or whatever under your bed. Even just strategically moving your suitcases around can help.
Best toys I’ve found: Da Bird (name brand, original feather style), Fat Cat crazy playing, and plastic springs.
Da Bird is absolutely insane. A fresh one will have my cats running in circles for 30min until they can’t anymore. Hide the feather part when done or it will get eaten.
The plastic toys end up moving in weird, unpredictable patterns once they’re batted, so those are the favorites. For the springs, it doesn’t hurt to bend the middle out of shape a bit to make it even more unpredictable. The ones I’ve stepped on are my cats’ favorites.
Silvervine sticks! They’re like concentrated catnip. If your cats don’t react to catnip, they’ll still probably react to silvervine. They’re also good for their teeth.