By Jennifer Reed
We know that indoor cats generally live longer, healthier lives, but without thoughtful consideration and planning, an indoor lifestyle can also be a significant source of stress for our feline friends.
In turn, stress can lead to a number of behavioral issues, including inappropriate elimination, anxiety, eating disorders, attention seeking, aggression, self-injury and compulsive disorders like excessive grooming and scratching, as well as a variety of chronic medical conditions, such as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).
Environmental enrichment is key for mentally and physically healthy indoor cats. In addition to basic resources, cats need plenty of opportunities to hunt, play, scratch and climb, as well as privacy and choice of resources. But studies show it’s not just a matter of having these things available — it’s a matter of where you put them, too.
While we may not always think about it, placement of items such as food and water bowls, litter boxes, cat trees, scratching posts, beds and toys can greatly affect our cats’ well-being. For example, a litter box placed in another cat’s territory or an especially noisy or busy location (think of a laundry room while the washer is on), may cause the cat may become stressed and less willing to use it.
With this in mind, Royal Canin developed an online app to give owners some insight into how feline-friendly their homes really are. The app is a fun, interactive way for cat owners to assess kitty’s well-being at home and adjust the environment accordingly, if necessary.
Users are asked to first create a virtual map of each room in the home and then drag and drop items such as food bowls, cat trees and litter boxes into their respective locations. Once completed, the app generates a score based on the ideal placement of these items. A summary and tips from veterinarians and behavior experts is also provided.
Ready to give it a try? Click here.
To learn more about how to keep your indoor cat happy and healthy, check out these resources:
Environmental Enrichment for Indoor Cats