We love our furry friends and the amount of time that they spend cuddling with us and playing with us. Most of our pets spend a significant amount or all of their time indoors. Similar to wildlife in zoos, we should be considering their natural behaviors and making sure they are able to express all of those in a manner that we find appropriate. Many people already use many of these tools for their dogs, but have not considered their use with cats. Let’s discuss the behaviors that should be addressed.
Hunt/kill skills: Playtime! A nice game of tug with your dog can provide the benefits of bonding over their natural need to hunt and kill prey. Since they are not generally actively doing this outside, take some time to address this appropriate behavior with appropriate play. For kitties, take the time to discover their preferred hunting style and focus your play in that area. Some cats prefer hunting birds, so might prefer feathers on a string. While other cats might prefer prey on the ground which might be mimicked by balls that roll. In order to simulate the actual retrieval of food in this process, consider various types of food dispensing toys. You can purchase them or enjoy some DIY time and make some (check out Pinterest).
Time outside: Fresh air is important for our pets too! For dogs I strongly encourage two, 5-minute walks per day (this can help blow off that snowbound feeling). Dogs need extra mental stimulation that walks can help provide in a way that their own backyard cannot. Consider the number of things that your dog can smell on their walk compared to the backyard. Indoor-only kitties should be provided with opportunities to get as close to the outdoors as possible. Consider your situation, can you provide comfortable access to windows with a bird feeder close by, or maybe a screened-in area that they can access (sometimes called a catio). Or better yet, train your kitty to a harness so they can be outside safely on a leash!
Resting areas: Dogs are den animals and usually appreciate some sort of closed-in space that they consider safe. For many that area is the crate, but if your dog is not crate trained consider an area that they might appreciate for a little escape. Cats should be provided with multiple vertical spaces for climbing and resting. Cat trees are a great option, but you can also get floating shelves or add bedding to a tall place like an end table where they can get up and survey their territory.