Keeping the Cat Mind Occupied
Published October 7, 2011
Jo Singer
Cute cat keeping his mind busy in a box.
Congratulations! You’ve decided that it's finally about time to take the plunge and open your heart and home to a furry friend. Of course, the next crucial step in making plans is to do the extensive research it requires to help you decide whether a dog or a cat will best match your lifestyle. Are you an active person? Do you enjoy taking long walks several times a day and during the evening? If so, having a faithful canine companion by your side may be just the ticket for you.
On the other paw, do you think of yourself as a more laid-back type, preferring to hang out around the house, napping, listening to music or watching movies? You might want to consider that what many people think of as a more “independent” feline would be the purrfect pet for you. Whatever suits your fancy will help you in your endeavor to make that very important and totally life changing decision.
This said, there are those folks who claim being owned by a kitty is far easier and less work-intensive than having to house-train a puppy; requiring taking Fido out for a walk in all kinds of weather. Since most cats instinctively know what a litter box is for, and will religiously use it as long as it is clean and tidy, there is far less physical labor involved. However, I feel compelled to dispel some of those old wives’ tales about some of the more obvious differences between having a dog and being owned by a cat.
While the basic requirements of living with a dog or cat are very similar, such as bestowing an abundance of love on them, responsible veterinary care, providing them with a healthy, delicious diet and ample exercise, as an avid cat lover who has been owned by a wide variety of kitties over the years, I have always suspected that most cats require their human to be, perhaps, a little more creative in providing an enriched environment to keep the active feline brain challenged, thereby occupied. A feline mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Our cats have a huge assortment of toys with which to play. But paws down, their favorite kind are cardboard boxes. Strategically placed around our house are boxes of various sizes and shapes which keep our two boys entertained for hours.
So after I watched, the delightful video, Simon’s Cat in the Box, I truly wished Simon had made more suitable arrangements to distract his kitty while packing his books. Had he thought ahead I am certain he wouldn’t have ended up in such dire straits.
Do you agree with my assessment? Let me know in a comment.
Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…
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Comments (6)
I have to keep my cats and my dogs minds active or they will find things to do....usually NOT what I had in mind. LOL Thanks for sharing such an adorable video! Keep up the great work!
Cats ned to be stimualted to keep them mentally and physically fit. That was the reason we built an outdoor play area fully fenced and with a roof. They love to go out and play or just bird watch. The indoor cat trees and toys help and a daily romp with the feather flier helps too. They thrive on love and activity.
Absolutely! Cats are far more intelligent than dogs, as evidenced by their independence and their general disdain for mimic/rote "training". They require far more variety in their daily activities and interests. We have a house full of cat furniture and scratching posts and pads, all kinds of interactive and noninteractive toys, lots of windows and French doors onto the patio, along with strategically placed bird feeders so the cats have "Cat-O-Vision" daily. At night, many of them love watching TV or movies, especially nature programs (and our alpha male loves car chases. Typical.) Cats love the company of others of their kind, usually, and will play and nap together while their caregivers are occupied or away. And many cats love walking on cat-harness and leash.
I would certainly agree that not only cats, but most all domestic pets need entertainment of some kind. I can't imagine being a human with nothing to do but sit around. How boring! Our cat and dogs have toys to play with, and most anything else we can find to entertain them.
It annoys me when people say cats don't need people around, they don't need entertaining, they sleep a lot anyway. Well a lot of them sleep out of boredom poor little souls. Worse still are those people who have their cats declawed, those cats can't even grab a toy and play or enjoy a work out on a scratching post, they just sit with nothing to do.
Our boyz have their very own toy box, Walter goes and lifts up the lid and selects a catnip mouse or if he's in the mood for a good kick, a catnip rat. Jozef sits and looks at the box until we get the hint he wants us to play. We spend lots of happy quality time with both our cats, if they want us, other stuff can wait ! Playing 'mouse under the rug' or 'chasing the dangly toy' is great fun as is 'peek a boo' round the furniture or the garden shed. No one expects kids or dogs to always entertain themselves, so why cats ?
LOL! That's a great video!! I was recently packing books too when my cats invaded my boxes too! They loved them so much that my packing had to wait til another day and after I bought more boxes! It's amazing the time they have with boxes!