How To Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy

Us cat lovers always want to keep our family members safe and happy, and whether we have a kitten or adult cat; the object is always the same.

Having an indoor cat doesn't mean having a boring life not worth living, but it does ensure our kitties will be safe from a lot of harm.

Vehicles from the city or highways and wild animals out in the country aren't very forgiving to our beloved pets, not to mention the increased amount of animal cruelty out in the open world.

Here are some of the things we can do to keep our loved ones happy and healthy when they are strictly an indoor pet.

All photos found on this article are ©Jolene Belmain

There are a few extra things in store for you!

This can be very tough and tricky, depending on how stubborn your feline is, but depending on the dangers in your area, it just might be well worth your while.

**Remember: This is a HUGE adjustment for the both of you, but only you will understand fully why this change is happening.

First thing is first, you have to stick to your guns and have a lot of patience. Just like raising kids, consistency is the key to success. It will most likely take a lot of time before your "outdoor" cat will be content and happy as an "indoor" cat.

Second, give them a lot of love and positive reinforcement. If they don't try to run out or are behaving very well while inside, give them praise (whether it be with a treat or just some good old fashioned love). Cats work amazing under positivity rather than negative support.

Third, keep them occupied. Find what they love to keep busy with, and buy or make it for them. Some cats love lasers, while others love to chase a battery operated mouse. Maybe it's a ball with treats inside that happen to spill out as it is rolled around. My cat personally loves to chew up paper and boxes (which, yes, cat get messy... but it keeps him happy and that's what is important).

Fourth, make sure they have a window they can sit up to and see out of. If they can see what's happening in the world around them, it will ease their mind (over time) to be able to know that they can watch and smell what is going on in their territory.

I was very cold one day, so while I was curled up on the couch, I grabbed the comforter from the bedroom. Next thing I knew, it no longer belonged to me. Gama's had completely adopted this blanket as her own and wherever the blanket went she went, so I decided to leave it folded up on the couch for her to sleep during the day. That is where it now stays.

Gama's has lived with us for over a year now, and she has never seemed to be interested in any play. I just chalked it up to her age and figured that she was just too "mature" to be interested in any type of play time.

One day, my mother took my children to the dollar store to grab them each a treat. The kids decided that they would get me a stick with a mouse of the end of a string, for when the time came to get a kitten, such thoughtful children I have :)

I decided to take it out of the package and play around with it, and to my surprise, Gama's actually perked right up and was chasing and playing around with this mouse. I laughed so hard watching her act like a little kitten, since I've never seen her behave like this. It was amazing. She now waits for me to grab it, and as soon as she hears the knocking sound the mouse makes, her eyes open right up and she's ready to try to catch it.

I feel a tickle from whiskers

and a little wet nose,

I look down at my feet

and yep, there she goes.

I can feel my face,

my lips give a grin,

I get up from my chair;

here we go again.

I tippy-toe quietly

down the hall,

stop by the door,

press up against the wall.

Peak into the same room

she went to before,

there she is in the corner

curled up on the floor.

Paws over her eyes

tail up in the air,

since she cannot see me

she thinks I am not there.

I creep up behind her,

finger is ready,

I'm almost there

just hold it steady.

I tap on her back

she jumps up in the air,

she turns and then stops,

giving me that same stare.

She just tries so hard

but can't figure it out,

I give her a giggle

cause it's the fun it's about.

©Jolene Belmain

This is the card that we received from our vet. We miss you so Gamas.