Boredom

 

Charlotte...

There’s one common “kitty issue” that cat parents and even some veterinarians routinely overlook.

And that issue is BOREDOM.

I know it might not sound like a big deal…

But remember, your furry pal is a clever, athletic, adventurous descendent of wild cats.

So they need a stimulating environment — otherwise they can become dangerously bored.

You see, daily mental and physical entertainment triggers the release of endorphins in the brain.

These feel-good chemicals help your cat relax and feel safe. However, if your kitty doesn’t get daily stimulation, and they get BORED…

This can lead them to develop potentially harmful habits.

Now here’s the tricky part: Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your cat’s bored… because the signs aren’t what you’d expect.

But don’t worry, today I’m going to tell you how to spot these “boredom signs” along with a few quick fixes.

That way, you’ll know when your cat is feeling a little “blah,” and what YOU can do to liven things up at home for them.

3 Signs Your Cat is “Dangerously Bored”

#1 — Overeating.

For your cat, eating can produce just as many (if not more) feel-good endorphins as exercise and play.

So if your kitty is bored, they might start to overeat every day, just to feel better.

In that case, try using a feeder toy to rev up your cat’s hunting instincts and chase away the boredom.

A feeder toy is a puzzle designed to hold and slowly dispense your cat’s food as they play.

This type of toy can get their blood pumping, stimulate their brain, and help them be more active…

So they can feel those endorphins flowing again... minus the overeating!

To get started with a feeder, simply fill the toy with your cat’s daily serving of food, call your kitty to come eat, and then show them how the toy works.

It may take a day or so for your cat to get used to their new mealtime routine, but once they get the hang of it, they’ll have a ball.

#2 — Snooping around.

If your cat is lacking entertainment, it’s very likely they’ll go looking for fun in every nook and cranny of the house…

Which can lead them to some dangerous situations.

I’m talking about snooping around and getting into things they shouldn’t, like cleaning supplies, paint, or worse.

To help prevent this behavior, try to turn your home into a great big puzzle for your feisty feline.

Hide their toys in different spots every day, and be sure to sprinkle a little bit of their treats in the area so your cat is sure to find it.

If you don’t mind a little noise, get toys that jingle or squeak. The sound makes it even more fun for your furry pal.

Then, when they can go “exploring” they’ll find toys and treasures to entertain them for hours.

#3 — “Bad Kitty” high jinx.

Some kitties like to climb the drapes, knock stuff over, and play too rough.

If you see these behaviors, it’s not because your cat is “being bad’…

They’re most-likely just bored — and they probably have too much pent up energy.

So to help them burn off that excess energy, and feel more comfortable, try adding some “cat furniture” to your home.

A few good ideas are cat towers, scratching boards, and even cat-safe shelves. These can encourage your cat to run, climb, and jump to their heart’s content.

And it doesn’t have to be expensive, either. You can make great cat towers and tunnels out of recycled, sturdy boxes.

Your kitty won’t notice if their new “jungle gym” is fancy or not — they’ll just be excited to play and explore inside their new toy :)

So there you go — once you know what to look for, feline boredom is pretty easy to spot, right?

And you can see how simple it is to help your cat avoid becoming dangerously bored.

Which is great because helping your cat stay happy and active is one the BEST things you can do for their health.

To you and your best friend,

Dr. Marty