Joining us on tonight’s Empower Hour! webinar, were “The Two Crazy Cat Ladies”. Adrienne and Jae shared lots of wonderful pearls that can improve happiness and health for cats.
Click/tap here for the “kitty coma” video with a technique for cutting your kitty’s nails.
Key Takeaways
- Cats need species-appropriate diets, proper feeding dishes, routine feeding times, and moisture in their food
- Enrichment through exercise, playtime, hunting/foraging opportunities, and novelty is crucial
- Cats absorb and reflect our energy levels, so managing stress and energy is important
- Build trust through regular gentle handling, grooming, and bonding activities
Topics
Food and Feeding
- Obligate carnivores need animal-based protein diets, not high-carb kibble
- Use wide dishes/platters to prevent whisker fatigue and allow environmental awareness while eating
- Establish a consistent feeding routine, as disruptions can cause stress/illness
- Provide moisture since cats don’t drink enough water from bowls
Enrichment
- Exercise needs reflect their wild counterparts – allow vertical climbing, running, hunting
- Rotate toys, move furniture to introduce novelty which they crave
- Clicker training, food puzzles/hunting feeders engage their hunting instincts
- Schedule playtime 1-2 times per day with each cat to meet prey drive
Safe Spaces
- Provide vertical spaces like cat trees and shelves, and hiding spots they can call their own
- Let them choose their preferred eating locations instead of owner convenience
- Create safe zones away from loud noises/visitors if needed
Energy and Environment
- Cats sense and absorb human stress/energy levels which impacts them
- Manage own stress through showers, calming music, mindfulness before interacting
- Desensitize to normal household sounds through positive reinforcement
- Consider working with animal communicators, energy healers, behaviorists
Topic list:
- 00:00 Introductions
- 06:40 Cats are pets too
- 08:45 Supporting your cat’s emotional health
- 10:30 Cat nutrition & feeding
- 23:00 Cat enrichment / bonding with them
- 35:40 Impact of energy and environment
- 44:00 Tips for “handling” cats
- 48:00 Resources for cat people
- 54:20 Q&A: ferral/outdoor cats
- 58:00 Q&A: noises around the house