Feline Funk

Before you envy your house cat’s lounging lifestyle, consider: Constant napping could be a sign of depression. As many as 40 per cent of felines fall into funks out of sheer boredom, says Nicholas Dodman, director of the Tufts University animal-behaviour clinic. Why? Cats are safer indoors – away from cars and dogs – but the soft life can be downright dull. Signs of depression include overeating, lax grooming and sleeping at daybreak, when they should be up and hunting.

It doesn’t take a kitty shrink to cheer up your cat, just attention:

Play with your cat every day, even if he doesn’t seem interested at first. “It’s a misconception that cats are antisocial,” says Dodman. “Some need just as much attention as dogs.”

Engage predatory impulses with interactive toys such as feathers on a string or laser-mice toys.

Provide climbing towers and scratching poles to keep your cat from climbing the walls (or curtains).

Get your cat a pet to watch, like a gerbil, or put a bird feeder outside the window. Or, for the kitty who has everything, try a cat video. Pet AVision (cattv.com) offers the adventures of Larry Lizard, Freddy Fish and Betty Bird.

source : reader's digest, aug 2007