Man's Sweet Effort to Introduce Indoor Tabby Cats to Autumn Leaves for the First Time Is Everything
Indoor cats miss out on some of nature's most bountiful blessings. Even the simple act of crunching atop a pile of leaves evades them if they've never experienced doing that before. Two Tabby cats recently had the chance to see, feel, and touch leaves for the very first time, thanks to a kind man, and it's the most precious moment caught on film.
Watching the curious wonder brimming from these two felines will instantly boost your mood. Take a look as they discover the best part of fall!
Okay, so @kelseyg77 scored big time in the boyfriend department when she found the man who loves her cats this way. Watching as they investigate, sniff, and in the end LOVE these strange things just makes me smile. When they're not learning about the outside world, they enjoy napping with mom, bird watching, and being sweet, little companions.
The October 30 clip is inspiring people all over the web to do something similar for their own kitties, while others have ideas on how to make it even more of an enrichment activity.
"Why have I never thought to do this, I’m gathering some leaves later for my cat," one person wrote.
"Cut a finger size hole in the side, near the bottom, so you can wiggle a stick under the leaves," another suggested.
"My only advice is get a huge box they can flip and flop around in. Other than that, purrrfection!" another added.
Now I can't wait to see what else these two get to experience for the first time. With their mom's pregnancy, surely we'll get to see how much they'll love their new human sibling some day soon.
Ways to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy
Of course pet parents want their cats to live long, happy lives, and it's even more important for strictly indoor cats because, though they're safer indoors, they're missing some critical experiences on the outside.
PetMD offers a few ideas on how to make sure all house cats are living their best lives and it begins with proving plenty of enrichment toys such as interactive toys to keep them mentally stimulated, treat-dispensing toys, or anything that makes them think and gets them engaged. You can even hide treats or catnip around the house to trigger their hunting instincts.
Provide scratching posts, which helps them mark their environment with scent. It also keeps their nails strong, just as they'd do in the wild. Scratching is vital to their development so give them somewhere to do it.
Give them perches or vertical cat towers so they can practice their climbing skills. They'll enjoy "hiding" from "prey" to feel safe. It's also great exercise! You might even feel inclined to build a perch agility course along the walls which provide hours of fun.
Catios or taking your cat outside on a leash will allow them to experience more of the world "in person," but with regular enrichment otherwise, you may not need to go this route.
If all else fails, bring in a box of leaves and let them explore!
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