SA267 - Brain Dead Fat Cats: Enriching Cat’s Lives

Life may be safer for indoor cats, but obesity and terminal boredom can kill too. Some call it “catiication” or meeting the environmental needs of cats. Living in a dull environment means less exercise and perhaps obesity, and chronic stress may lead to an increased likelihood of physical illnesses, such as “Pandora’s Syndrome,” (FLUTD), which may prompt inappropriate elimination, a major explanation for relinquishment. Enrichment may activate prey drive of indoor cats and encourage family interaction. Enrichment may prevent or treat “Pandora’s Syndrome,” Discussed are the best ways to feed cats as most may be feeding cats all wrong. The concept of contrafreeloading suggests most animals prefer working for which their food. Various inexpensive and easy to implement enrichment ideas/games for clients are presented. There’s also a discussion of “training” cats, not only how to do it, but why anyone might bother training cats in the first place?