In the distant past the feline went through an evolutionary shift that was accelerated by domestication by humans. Feline welfare has changed with improved housing, diet, & care. The down side? Our little lions have lost access to many natural behavioural outlets. Before domestication, the feline lived, hunted, climbed, & explored outside where they had a rich diversity of experiences. While domestic felines have a safe environment indoors with humans, they are happiest in an environment that stimulates outdoor instincts.
Instead of ushering your little lion outdoors, the compromise is to enrich their environment in a manner that allows them to practice their innate behaviours inside the safety of their home. There are endless ways to enrich your feline's life.
There are 3 types of feline enrichment;
Environmental
Social
Cognitive
to provide physical, psychological, & emotional stimulation; with activities that respect all five of your feline's senses; sight, sound, scent, taste, touch.
As previously explained in my recent posts "Autumn Equinox & How It Affects Our Felines", Colder months lead to a sedentary lifestyle, & with an approximate 15% increase in food intake, this is a recipe for disaster!
Without enrichment, our little lions can develop behavioural issues like; aggression, anxiety, attention-seeking, urinating or defecating outside of a litter box, eating disorders, or other disorders like over-grooming, plucking or scratching. The animals most at risk for these types of behaviours are captive animals in zoos & sanctuaries— & your pets.
