Cats are creatures of routine and detest change, just like many people. When they are brought to a shelter, their world swings out of control, which is stressful. Stress is known to have dangers. Because of immune system impairment, disease is more likely to spread. When a cat feels unwell, she is more likely to engage in destructive behaviors like excessive grooming or sucking on harmful bodily parts. Stress, on the other hand, can cause a cat to stop grooming itself. Due to her aggressive character, the cat might become impossible to place since it might overcome her fear and defensiveness. The nine recommendations below can help your shelter cats live better so you can showcase them at their best:
Give them places to hide that are either high above the ground or comfortable and dark. Arrivals under stress want a safe refuge where they can analyze their foreign surroundings covertly. The most simple cages with just a paper bag at the back to lavish colony mansions with inventive skywalks are all examples of hideouts. Cats who are terrified shouldn’t be kept in bottom cages because doing so makes them feel more exposed. Install hygienic multi-level climbing furniture in colony housing to take advantage of the vertical space.
Handle with caution. Before quickly capturing a cat, spend a bit carefully speaking with it. To see whether she will leave her facial pheromones on it, try extending one finger. (Glands are located beneath the chin, in the whisker bed, and above the outer corners of the eyes.) As soon as you start to smell like her, she will probably become more relaxed and tolerant of handling. Before handling another cat, always give your hands a good, thorough wash.
Ensure that the lighting in the cat kennel reflects the natural cycle of day and night. Contrary to popular belief, cats are not nocturnal. They are nocturnal species, most active at dawn and dusk. Their health is negatively impacted by fluorescent lighting and extended periods of darkness.
Just keep quiet. Since cats are more sensitive to sound than people are, they may become startled or lash out violently when under stress. Cat wards and colony homes should be quiet, soundproof locations that only house other felines. It comes to reason that cats would find classical music, light jazz, new age music, and even lullabies set to the beat of the human heart (Heartbeat Music Therapy) to be more calming than rap, rock, and hip-hop, despite the fact that the majority of study on music in kennels has concentrated on dogs.
On time delivery of meals Cats appreciate routine. Grab a feather wand or other interactive toy, and let these little predators hunt, pounce, and kill as much as they like. If you can, provide both canned and dry food until you determine which the cat prefers. Some cats will prefer starve to death than eat an unconventional food.
Install warm bedding to promote sound sleep. For their frequent catnaps, cats enjoy warm, comfortable places in the home. Ensure that every cat has a soft place to lay down. Whether you use pricey cat beds, crocheted cage cozies made by volunteers, or shoe boxes filled with donated towels from the local health club, your cats will be dozing off in comfort.
If you can, interact with the cats. Young cats need the chance to let off steam, especially those kept in tiny stainless steel cages. Eating at the same time each day gives them comfort. An fatigued cat is less likely to play rough or swat at potential adopters.
Pet the cats in your shelter gently. Cats will benefit from any of the well-known cat massage treatments, such as Tellington Touch, as well as from light brushing and gentle caressing. In addition to being therapeutic, daily handling can act as a small physical examination, spotting any new wounds, diseases, or parasites.
Activate their minds. Being alone in a barren cage with nothing to do could drive a cat nuts! Catnip, toys, mobiles, scratch pads, kitty videos, fish tanks, and possibly a few artfully placed birdfeeders outside the cat ward windows can all be used to keep a shelter cat entertained.
