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Pixabay.com/Most pet owners know that if they leave their cat unattended, he can wreak havoc on their house or apartment. From shedding the potted plants to sharpening the claws on household furniture, a bored cat is destructive by his very nature. If you have every seen a kitten at play, you know that he enjoys stimulating his hunt. This should not be surprising as cats are predators and they like to stalk and catch their prey.Cats are also crepuscular, which means that they are active from dusk to dawn. To use their speed, agility and acrobatics, a lot of the cats will want to run, jump and play. The best solution to this problem is to build a feline playroom or jungle gym. From recycled to high-tech items, here are a few pointers to help you build a
healthy recreational outlet for your cat without having to sacrifice on your home's interior design.
DIY construction hacksIf your cat likes staying indoors, he is not going to have a lot of places for jumping and climbing. Cats prefer having a high vantage point as it helps them survey their environment. You can modify your house by building a set of cat stairs or cat shelves. The concept is not very different from installing bookshelves. If you just want to do the installing and avoid the building, you can buy ready-made shelves at your favorite pet retailer store.
Up and downWhen you are thinking about ideas to create a playroom for your cat, keep in mind that the comfort of your cat is the most important aspect. Make sure the design is such that your cat feels at home when he is playing or resting. You can designate an area or room to stock the favorite
toys and essentials of your cat. Sometimes, all it takes to keep your cat from destroying your favorite table or couch is a tree or scratching post.While young cats prefer tall structures that they can climb on to and stretch their claws on, older pets try to stay away from acrobatics. If you are not sure about the kind of
scratching post that your cat will like, observe their behavior. Do they prefer stretching up and out when they clean their claws on a surface, or do they prefer kneading at ground level?
High techContrary to what most people think, cats are extremely social creatures and do become depressed if they are left alone for a long time. There are a number of interactive toys for cats that can be controlled remotely. You can stock the playroom of your cat with laser pointers or engage them in a little bit of night-time hunting by using toys with eyes that light up realistically in the dark.