My cat is so bored and that just leads to destruction....what can I do to help her oh so terrible boredom???

Question

My cat is an adult female tabby but she has recently been so bored. I dont know what to do, I try and give her some toys to play with but she sort of ignores them. We even have another cat but she dosen't want to play with the other cat because she is soo scared and fancy acting most of the time. So she opens up the cabinets and throws food everywhere, scratches the furniture up, and meows longingly to go outside(she is a indoor cat). We were thinking about letting her start to go outside but there are so many dangers in our neighborhood, for one it is a pretty busy street, there are lots of infected neighborhood cats, and mean kids and vicous dogs....so is there anyway I can try and entertain her stimulate keep her happy, I just want for my babe to be happy...any advice would help :)

Answer 1

I suggest a cat tree like these ones... http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/cat_trees.html

I also saw these really cool things called KatWALLks they are shelves you attach to your walls that the cat can climb and run along and I KNOW they would love it!!.... http://www.katwallks.com/

Another option is building an outdoor cat enclosure that allows the cat to go outside and still be in a safe environment.... http://www.thecatsden.net/enclosure.html

http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/catrun.htm

http://www.purrfectfence.com/outdoor_cat_enclosures.asp#details

Try using catnip and interactive climbing toys I find they are the best, another good idea is to purchase a laser light (which can be bought at most pet stores) most cats LOVE to play with lasers and it is fun and easy for you to do it.

Here are some great interactive toys that most cats like... http://www.cattoys.com/intoy.html

http://www.thecatconnection.com/Interactive-Toys.html

Keep in mind you might just have to try alot before you find what your cat prefers to play with.

Another good idea is to put bird feeders outside her favorite window perch and watch her have hours of fun watching the birds, I know my cats love it!!! if she cant sit in any window think of installing a window ledge for her or a "Kittyview" window attachment for her to lay in and watch things outside... http://www.kittyview.com/home.html

Good luck I hope this helps with your cat!!


PS I see some other good suggestions as well and I can also recommend cat grass.... http://www.grassrootsstore.com/browseproducts/Cat-Grass-Window-Box.HTML
and cat tunnels.... http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778327&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033745&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1103404933870

this is the same one my cats have and they love it!! Also they love cat tents... http://www.petsdirectweb.com/webpages/CatTents.htm

Answer 2

This is a toughy as each cat has a different personality, and sometimes it's difficult to judge what they want. The first thing you should do, if you have the money is talk to a vet. I brought my bored cat in to have his ears checked once, and the vet discovered that his teeth had rotted. Long story short after he had surgery he was back to normal. Many animals (not just cats) who are in pain seak to hide that pain so theyt don't appear weak, and often it can be misinturpreted as boredom,

But if your cat really is just bored i suggest;

Laser Pointer: You can pick them up at a dollar store, not all cats will play with them, but those that do love em.

Fake mouse on a string: drag it around and have the cat chase it, I have NEVER seen or met a cat that won't case a fast moveing, small object.

Extra love and attention: It never hurts and it helps make you and your cat more healthy. Sometimes all a bore cat wants is more attention.

Answer 3

If she's indoor cat, please leave her indoors. Is she fixed? She may be in heat. My cat went absolutely ballistic during her heat cycle and it finally cured her when I got her fixed. They are running around on full speed during that time. Also, it could just be her personality and nothing can cure that. It sounds like you really care for the cat or else you wouldn't be asking how to 'cure' it.
I think it helps to set aside some time for the cat.. literally, just a few minutes just for her. Start with like 5 minutes, and after a while you both will be enjoying it so much that 5 may be 15! She will love you all the more for it.
My baby cat(well, I had her for 5 years) she was awesome, and lived outside, I always 'assumed' she was street smart. Until I found her dead on the side of the road one evening. That is one of the worst feelings you will ever have in your life, please don't put her outside. So an indoor cat will probably be extra freadked out by the loud noises and may dart out in the road quicker than you'd think.
Also, whatever she likes most, whether a scratch on the tummy or behind the ear, or a favorite toy, endulge her a little extra with those. I don't know, it always worked on my cats. !!!
Sorry to have gone on so much, cats are so mysterious, each one has to be 'figured out! :) SD

Answer 4

First off it sounds like you need to baby proof your pad. There are cheap plastic latches you can buy that will prevent your cat from opening your cabinets. You may need to put food up so she can't get to it. We put the cat food in a food vault...that's what it is called...otherwise our kittens would be digging out their food all day long.

Next, it sounds like your cat is a princess. I would suggest either classical music or jazz playing on the stereo or television whenever you are away from home. Some of the music channels on television also have little soothing pictures that should make her happy.

Be sure to give her oodles of attention whenever you can. Also, if you don't have it...get a catnip plant. This should help mellow her out.

One last thing...we have a collapsible tunnel with a vinyl side and a netted side. Our kits love it.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You're right to be hesitant about letting her outside. That's not a good idea for all the reasons you describe--especially when she's always been an indoor cat.

You could try interacting with her, rather than just leaving the toys out. Dangle some string in front of her for her to chase, roll a ball around in front of her, swat a mousie to towards her for her to chase. That sort of thing.

For me, when my cat starts getting into cabinets and crying and stuff, she's looking for attention. As soon as I pick her up and pet her she starts purring like crazy. It's not exactly the kind of behavior I want to reinforce, but it makes her happy.

As far as scratching the furniture, be sure to keep her nails well trimmed. They even make little caps that you can put over the nails so they can't scratch. I've never used them myself, and can't really imagine it, but some people swear by them.

EDIT: I'm not a huge fan of walking an indoor cat on a leash--I worry that it makes them beg to go out or try to escape more. But, if you do, make sure it's something they can't slip out of. A collar isn't enough, and most cats will immediately flop over and refuse to move as soon as you put a regular harness on them. If you do decide to try a harness, I strongly recommend this: http://metpet.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/walkingjacket.html . I have one that I use for car trips. It's very secure when put on properly, and my cat actually likes it. In the past I have tried letting her walk around the yard with it, but she was mostly just scared of all the strange noises and smells and wanted to go back inside.

Answer 6

Try playing with her yourself. Laser lights work on most cats as well. You could also try building her her own little atrium outside. Get some 2x4's build an open box, and cover it in mosquito net and chicken wire. That way you could put her outdoors, and she would be safe from outside dangers, and can't get out due to chicken wire. Just make sure chicken wire is on the outside, and netting is on the inside. Try lots of different toys, both with and without catnip. Some cats will never play with storebought toys, but instead prefer an empty paper bag, a sock with a knot in it, or some crumpled paper. You could also try training your cat to a leash and harness, and taking her on walks. Ask you local vet if there are any other cat friendly places to take her on field trips too, or find other ppl with healthy cats and set up a play date. Maybe your cat could find friends in other places.

Answer 7

I would recomend getting a cat condo(the two story variety) You can attatch toys to those easily. Catnip is good also but some cats don't go for it much. I have a finiky cat also, took me quite a while but after testing all the cat toys in walmart and other pet shops i finally got it. They have "fake" mice that run all over the place....he loves that and it's hillarious watching him with it. He also likes the "thing in the bag" lol sorry not sure what it is really called but it is a bag that takes batteries and squirms all over the place and makes funny noises...drives him bonkers....also much to peoples amazement..some cats do like dogs..since i've gotten 2 lil dogs they all play together. Hope that helps.

Answer 8

Poor kitty, maybe she's just not feeling healthy; when was her last vet check-up? Maybe she has a vitamin deficiency and only the vet can examine her and tell you for sure. Has her eating and drinking habits changed, has she lost/gained weight?

Maybe she's just craving for more attention? After all, you did get another cat, no? Spend time with her, speak with her and let her know she's the special one. Lie next to her when she's in her Sphinx pose or lying on her side.

Letting her go outside is not altogether wise. Don't forget, during the warmer weather... fleas, ticks, mites and parasites (from droppings of other animals on the grassy areas, on rough cement areas... ugh... which she steps on and later licks to clean... double yucky!).

Don't laugh... get a flat potter and grow some regular, everyday grass for her to nibble on if she has an upset tummy and she'll puke it up. Don't let her chew or eat grass outside where some other (perhaps sick) animal may have defecated on... triple yucky!!!

Make sure that the houseplants you have are not poisonous to your felines! So many of our feline (and canine) friends get sick and poisoned (and children, too) on regular house plants that can make people and animals sick every single year... double check!

See how she reacts to a toy with catnip. But, for certain, please let the vet see her? She may be in some pain or discomfort (toothache, earache, upset tummy...). Just love her and tolerate whatever she's trying to say until you get her to the vet. She doesn't speak "human" language, unfortunately. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 9

Perhaps she has something medically wrong. I had a cat that went psycho and started peeing on the strangest things in the house. Turned out her kidneys were the problem. We almost gave her away and it really wasn't her fault. Take your cat to the vet. If that's not the answer then anything that spends more time with her would be good.

Answer 10

LASER POINTER!

it is irresistable to cats! great exerecise too!

and if you are going to let her go outside make sure you go to the petsmart and get Advantage or something similar. but only the real stuff from a pet store, the stuff you can get at the grocery store can cause bad temper and stuff. it's knock-off cheapo stuff. spend the 40 bucks on the good stuff! and trust that you have a smart cat that loves you! oh and get a nametag for her too!