Feline DIY Enrichment
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Enrichment is essential for cats and kittens of all ages and keeping your cat’s environment as exciting and stimulating as possible will promote a happy and healthy life.
The following are great DIY projects that will keep you and your cat entertained and busy during prolonged time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please ensure that you are always closely and actively supervising your cat(s) while DIY items are accessible. If your cat attempts to ingest an item, remove it immediately from their mouth.
Food Enrichment
Making mealtime fun, challenging and interactive for domestic cats is a great way to satisfy their innate instincts and curiosities. Every meal is an opportunity for enrichment!
Reach Feeder
What You’ll Need:
- Toilet paper rolls (3-4)
- Shoe box with lid or soft drink box
- Pencil or pen
- Sharp knife
- Cat kibble or treats
How To:
- Using a pen or pencil, trace the end of the toilet paper rolls on top of the lid; repeat in different locations on the lid, one outline for each roll.
- Using your knife, cut the holes out on the lid. Make sure to cut along the traced lines – if the hole is too big the roll will not be sturdy.
- Slide rolls into each of the holes, and place kibble or treats into each roll. Give to your cat!
Slow Feeder
What You’ll Need
- Toilet paper or paper towel roll
- Sharp knife or scissors
- Cat kibble or treats
How To:
- Using a knife, cut holes on the side of the tube, making sure they are large enough for the kibble or treats to pass through.
- Place the kibble or treats inside the tube, tape or fold the ends and give to your cat.
Environmental Enrichment
Environmental enrichment is all about creating a fun and safe place full of a variety of toys and spaces that will help banish boredom. Explore your options at home and think of all the horizontal and vertical levels and spaces that can be utilized to accomplish this.
Bird TV
For some easy enrichment, create a comfortable place by the window for endless entertainment. Additionally, you can do an online search for “bird TV for cats” for cat-friendly videos to display on a screen for them.
Toilet Paper Roll Toys
What You’ll Need:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Scissors
- Q-tips
- Stapler
- Non-toxic glue
How To:
Easy Cat Toys
What You’ll Need:
- Various – check the video!
How To:
Build a Cat House or Tunnel:
What You’ll Need:
- Cardboard boxes, various sizes (large enough for your cat)
- Sharp knife
- Non-toxic glue
How To:
Build a Cat Maze
What You’ll Need:
- Cardboard
- Sharp knife
How To:
*Reference to product names or websites in this article is for informational purposes only. The ASPCA is not necessarily affiliated with the companies or parties that produce the referenced products and inclusion of product names in the article does not constitute the ASPCA’s endorsement of the products or services.
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