I noticed last week, on one of Martine's posts, we were joking about how full our houses are, of things for our cats and that we should start a thread on the subject.
This prompted me on a more serious note, to start this thread. We, like everyone else here I guess, have a house full of things, a 9' cat treee, tunnels, cubes, boxes, a huge collection of filled toys, an undercover mouse etc etc and in truth the cats make much use of all of their things, most especially their climbing tree.
Back in May we started the process of introducing our 2 to the outside as we have a secure and secluded garden and of course they are always supervised. Indeed after an induction process, the cats now love to be outside whenever we are home and are without doubt loving every minute of summer. It was only a couple of weeks ago; that I noticed that I kept stepping over Tiffy-T's much loved play tunnel and yet she had long since used it; I decided to put it away to "freshen" it up for her, in novelty terms for when the winter comes. This prompted me to observe a little more closely and I realise that they have stopped using almost without exception, everything provided for them indoors, I don't know the last time I saw either of them on the scratch tree which previously was in regular use By the time they come in in the evening they are so ready to sleep after being out in the air, chasing bugs and playing ball with us, they soon zonk out.
As winter approaches and they are again confined indoors, I will bring their things out gradually again (I hope that putting them away should make everything more interesting again!).
The reason for my post is that, this has proved to me the importance of stimulating indoor cats in replacement for what is lost by not being outside, a problem we again expect to face in the winter......so it seems we are all justified in pesrsistantly buying new things for our precious raggies, next time your Hubby/partner asks, refer him/her to my post and explain it is part of their welfare and nothing at all to do with any shopping addiction, he may suspect you of!!!
But a serious point all the same; that gap needs to be bridged for those cats that remain indoors at all times.
SueK Wrote:As winter approaches and they are again confined indoors, I will bring their things out gradually again (I hope that putting them away should make everything more interesting again!).
The reason for my post is that, this has proved to me the importance of stimulating indoor cats in replacement for what is lost by not being outside, a problem we again expect to face in the winter
Cats are much better off indoors and any outdoor experience can result in a greater danger of their escaping outdoors and becoming lost to you. They will go farther faster (and endanger getting them back at all) because they are familiar with the nearby areas. They are also more likely to try harder to escape when the family and others open doors. We had many years with such a cat and know what it can mean to you and them - and after that we have not let any of the cats outside, restrained, under supervision or otherwise.
In any event, your start point is wrong because it reflects the idea that cats being outdoors is the appropriate and natural thing and they are "kept" inside. The natural territory of a male cat is about 20 miles. Is it "unnatural" and inappropriate to keep male cats just in your yard? In a sense that is right, but that does not mean one should allow cats to roam. They would love it, just as yours love the yard - right up until they die from the experience (not to mention their being a much lesser part of your life as outdoor interests start to replace you as well as toys).
So, yes, cats need things to stimulate them and scratch the natural itches they have. We provide Da Bird to replace the birds and George Mice to replace the mice, but that does not make the outside "better" for them. You may find that in Winter they will just use energy to complain about and attempt to go out rather than refocusing on toys. That is the danger.
(Based on Ragdoll temperament, I am not sure one is not more accurate to consider them "naturally" indoor only cats, based on our's reactions to foxes and raccoons at the screen doors. It can be upsetting to withhold "pleasures" from them, but we should not be any more upset about having them be inside only than stopping them from eating thread, which they like, but is very dangerous for them.)
I was careful not to advocate indoor or outdoor in my post. Our 2 were adopted by us at 2 years of age by which time they had already experienced outdoors and as such, by the time we got them; the "bothering us to go out" was already a happening thing. For mine I believe it is right to have some outside access and they have been noticeably more settlled for it (we faced many complexities in adopting the boy especially, who brought more "baggage" than Heathrow/JFK with him!!); but they will never be allowed complete free range as with cats I have owned previously, as I am fully aware of the limitations of their "trust button"!! On the other side of the coin is a neighbour who lost her pedigree cat (BSH) through an incident with a builder in the house and an open window. What my neighbour soon realised was that her cat after the initial wanderlust had taken him away; had no familiarity with it's own house/yard from the outside, had he have found himelf back in the vicinity of it and she had not happened to be outside calling for him at the time, he would not have been able to bring himself home. Thankfully posters prevailed and a phonecall revealed him to be just 100 yards down the road, 3 weeks later.
Clearly this is an issue that people have conflicting opinions on and I do try to respect those opinions whether or not they coincide with my own. On this occasion I was trying in a light hearted way to stress the importance of providing stimulation for our precious raggies when they are in an indoor situation.
I don't want this to become a controversial post on indoor/outdoor, but, I think Ragdolls in an outdoor secure garden for U.S. people may be difficult to understand unless you have been to England and seen their outdoor secure gardens. I consider it no different than having a secure run outside to let the cats out into. I'm not an advocate in the U.S. of allowing a ragdoll outside without harness or leash, because it would be almost impossible for any of us to maintain a secure garden area for a ragdoll. However, things are different in different places. Ragdolls in the U.K. rehomed by a RAGDOLL Charity many times advertises that the ragdoll MUST have access to a secure outdoor garden. As an international forum, there will be many differences that must be understood concerning owning ragdolls.
As for toys, I notice that mine seem to cycle through them whether I put them up or not. Not long ago I made access through a sisal covered "ramp" to the top of a piece of furniture in my home, and before long realized the girls enjoyed going up the ramp and sleeping on top of that more than their cat tree which they'd ALWAYS been climbing/sleeping on. I made mention to my husband that maybe we should take the monstrosity down since they didn't use it anymore. Then suddenly, the furniture has been abandoned and they're back to the cat tree!! I also find different places to put their toys which make them new to them. Like Diane puts those curvy scratchers on her furniture (instead of the floor like most of us), and I put their undercover mouse on top of a storage bin and turned it on, they chased it around looking up at it! Like you, I'm always concerned about the lack of entertaining things around the house and am always on the lookout for the "ultimate" toy.
Something I had forgotten about until recently was the tissue paper (that you use with gifts). Gaby had told me how her fur kids love it, and I got some out for the girls. I don't know what is so attractive about it, but the girls love to pounce on it - especially when I throw their mice under it.
That's a good point Teresa, maybe I portray a much grander plot by calling it a "garden".................space of course is at a premium here in the UK and although some people do have large gardens; we do not.
Although there is plenty of space for the cats to run flat out, normally in one door and out of the other, the longest dimension of our garden is as per the width of the house, ie it is not a deep garden. We have found that, whoever is out there watching over them, is never more than a few yards from them at any time, I am the biggest fusspot in the world with my raggies and would not for one moment be doing something that would jeopardise their safety.
We have never had a cat to be outdoors and ours love the indoors. We take them out to show the neighbors or something like that if we are holding them. As far as the toys goes we do put some away and bring out new. Our cats have many things to stimulate them but I also think we have to do the stimulating or some of it. Ours love the laser lights and it is so much fun to watch them run around. They are still afraid of the undercover mouse but getting better. They sure bring us much joy.
Anyway, ours will remain indoor only as we live in a manufactured home community and what would I do if they got out and I could not find them. My heart would be broken for sure.
We can't take them out as it was in our contract we signed. Your garden does sound devine.
I know each person thinks differently on that and must do what they feel is best. Thanks for the thread as it is interesting to see what people do to stimulate their pets and the toys they have to do it. I appreciate it.
Hi Sue
I have to agree that some fresh air from a secured outdoor area is a good idea. I've made my patio safe for Teddy to lounge and chase bugs on, and he loves being out there when the weather is nice enough. In fact, he's out there right now! lol
Have you seen this web site before?
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/indoorcat.htm
It's the result of a study at Ohio State University to do exactly what you're asking about - stimulating indoor cats.
Coral
Ohhhh....I am going to check out that link Coral. Thanks for posting it.
I live in a townhome that is multiple levels and home roaming the two levels helps with exercise. They sure can tear up and down those stairs! When I was going to get a kitten I wanted to harness/leash train the kitten to accept short walks outside in the common area around my home. However since I adopted older cats I have changed my mind. This is because they are use to being indoors, have gone through open doors at the breeders and did not like it when they found themselves outside (from the kids accidentally leaving door open type situation) and I live kind of close to a highway. Even if I did not have ragdolls I would not let my cat outdoors because I am afraid of that highway. Granada gets a bit busy also.
So far both cats are enjoying the whole house and I have set up little play stations for them. I will put they toys in a box and they take them out and distribute them all over the house. I then pick them up and put them back into the box and the cycle starts all over again. I kind of went nuts buying them glitter balls, rattle balls, soft mice, ect. so both cats have a ton of small toys to play with.
I can't WAIT to be able to afford the cat tree I want for them. At this time I put two totes on top of each other with a soft blanket and I am always finding one or both cats up there lounging. Benito especially loves this arrangement because he is at petting level. This is good indication that they would use the cat tree in this area. This will give them a play to be higher off the floor and in the winter the sun shines in this area from a window high up.
Rebecca
Thanks Coral; have just read that site with interest.
It made me smile when you referred to Teddy catching bugs; I can picture the scene.......Billy seems unaware that (like Teddy) he is rather large or indeed that when outside, he has the appearance of an bright white oversized cotton wool puff. Billy also neglects to take account of the fact that apart from his appearance being prohibitive to camoflauge, the bugs really do not necessitate the full blown stalking procedure........nevertheless that is what Billy does..................numerous times; I have looked across, expecting a squirrel or sizeable bird to be his target, only to see a microsized bug in his sights......it is a delight to watch.................you see, I keep telling you Coral; Teddy would be very at home with me
SueK Wrote:What my neighbour soon realised was that her cat after the initial wanderlust had taken him away; had no familiarity with it's own house/yard from the outside, had he have found himelf back in the vicinity of it and she had not happened to be outside calling for him at the time, he would not have been able to bring himself home. Thankfully posters prevailed and a phonecall revealed him to be just 100 yards down the road, 3 weeks later.
The impression of your neighbor is contrary to typical cat behavior and her experience is consistent with it.
Cats create a territory centered on where they start unless they are driven away. Therefore, an escaped cat will start with the home and will SLOWLY expand the territory outward, with it remaining centered where it starts, whether they have seen the outside of the home or not. They FIRST become familiar with it. That means that if the cat has never been out, the chances of an early recapture are greater if the cat has never explored that nearby territory. If they have explored, they then will more quickly move to the next outer area to start digesting the territory there.
However, even when their territory has reached its natural outer limits, very large for males, particularly if whole, they will still typically return to the center as they regularly explore their entire territory. Therefore, late after the escape, and even MUCH later, the best chances of finding them is near the home, as in this neighbor's experience. That is why one should never give up on searching close to home for an escaped cat - and hope one finds him before he is driven away or killed.