The happy indoor cat

An indoor or outdoor cat?

Although cats are originally outdoor animals, it is no problem for a kitten that has never been outside to be kept as an indoor cat. Be aware, however, that if you take a cat that has previously lived outside, it will not be happy to be kept inside from now on. They are then already too used to hunting outside, doing their needs and guarding their territory.

For a kitten or cat living indoors, you should therefore make the necessary preparations in the house so that it does not get bored inside. This will keep your cat challenged and if your cat is happy and healthy, it will prevent many problems.

Nutrition

Because indoor cats move less than outdoor cats, they also need different food. There are special foods designed to meet the needs of an indoor cat. Make sure these foods contain enough natural fibres, easily digestible proteins and omega fatty acids. Besides contributing to a healthy body weight, this food also serves to support digestion and a nice coat.

Not necessary, but many cats like to gnaw on plants. There is therefore special cat grass for indoor cats that is very easy to maintain, and also looks cosy!

Besides the solid food, treats may of course be given, if you do this in the form of a reward after a training session or game with your cat, this is a win-win situation for both of you!

Drink

It is very important that the cat drinks regularly and sufficiently, this is about 40 ml per kg body weight daily. Therefore, if your cat does not drink enough, make sure you give it extra encouragement to do so to avoid dehydration.

Make sure you have enough drinking bowls in the house, at the places your cat visits. It is also important that they are in a quiet place, not too close to the litter box or food bowl and kept clean. The water should be changed regularly and be at room temperature.

Many cats prefer running water, here you have automatic drinking fountains that provide fresh running water. Ideal for the difficult drinker.

Entertainment

To prevent boredom (and therefore problems), there are different cat toys that stimulate your cat's hunting instinct and fight boredom. Think laser lights, for example, or automatic moving toys. Cat toys with sweets hidden inside also give them an extra challenge. You can alternate cat toys so your cat doesn't get too used to certain toys. Catnip is also used in many cat toys and this scent also makes your indoor cat very happy! Besides your own company, a second cat is of course also perfect company. You also provide enough entertainment, exercise and friendship.

Motion

Although the degree of this varies greatly by breed, all cats need exercise, some are busy almost all day or night doing everything and other breeds prefer to lounge around. Also in this you can encourage your cat to exercise more without them having to go outside. Provide a stable scratching post in the house that is placed in a suitable place for the cat. In this way, the cat is not only stimulated to move, but afterwards he can also lie on it comfortably and safely.

Ceiling-high scratching posts

Cats like to keep an overview from a high place, outside they would do this in a tree, for example. But indoors you can also imitate this perfectly with a ceiling-high scratching post, you can challenge them to climb that “cat tree” and they can use their energy. At the top they have a safe and nice place to keep an eye on everything. With such a high scratching post they also have more than enough space to fully stretch against the scratching post and thus maintain their nails and train front paws.

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Scratching posts with lounging areas and play houses

In addition to scratching and climbing, the ideal scratching post also offers wonderful places to lie down. So you create a familiar place for your indoor cat, where he can also retreat. Do you have several lying places in your home? Very good! This way they can always choose where they want to lie, and eventually a favorite spot will probably emerge. A playhouse is also a nice soft resting place for your cat, because it is sheltered and dark your cat can quietly retreat here when he needs to.

Scratching barrels

A loose scratching barrel is a lot more compact than a scratching post and still offers enough space to scratch and lie down. As most cats also love to hide, they can also do so in the scratching barrel. Besides a separate scratching barrel, it is also possible to combine it with a scratching post in one.

Long and happy

Research has shown that indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. If you can offer your cat a happy and healthy life partly through the above tips, everyone is happy, right?