Letting Your Cat's Inner Wildcat Foundation Run Wild

At the heart of any cat, no matter how loving and gentle they are, is a wild animal that loves to hunt. Cats are one of the few animals who can be completely tame and yet still totally wild and as pet owners we should embrace that. Finding ways to bring out your cat's true wildcat foundation will create a stronger bond between you.

Both indoor and outdoor cats share similar traits. They sleep a lot, they eat when they please and they love to play. However, indoor cats are severely restricted because they are trapped inside. Whether this is for medical reasons or simply because the owners live by a busy road, what is important is that the cat gets enough stimulation to retain its basic instincts.

Although it can be an annoying habit, when cats stretch up and claw at your favourite piece of furniture they are doing more than simply sharpening their claws. They are also stretching and strengthening their muscles and marking their territory. It is important to give cats as much space and opportunity to do this, usually in the form of cat trees.

If possible it is a good idea to have both light and dark spaces in the home. A cat will usually find its own hiding spot, somewhere dark and quiet, and it is not always where you place their expensive new cat bed; it's much more likely to be on your bed or favourite jumper. You also need plenty of natural sunlight in the home, especially for indoor cats as they are restricted and cannot find this for themselves.

Outdoor cats have a much easier time of it than indoor ones, although they are more at risk. They can run and play wherever and whenever they want, and honestly, this is the way they want to live their lives if possible. To encourage their wild side, gardens with plenty of wildlife and areas to explore are preferred, but if this isn't an option, an outdoor cat tree would suffice.

Any owner with an outdoor cat knows how horrible it is when they bring you a mouse. Their intentions are good and it is probably a genuine gift, but seeing a dead or dying creature at your feet is a little heartbreaking. It is even worse when you see your cat find joy in tormenting and playing with their prey before they kill it. Sadly though, this is all part of being a cat and cannot be changed.

One of the best aspects of having a cat is playing with them. Not all of them will want to play with you and they do tend to grow out of it and become a little lazy as they grow older, but you should still try to encourage them to play whenever possible. Tapping in to their natural instinct to hunt and play with their food before they eat it is a good habit to get into.

A happy cat is one that is free to sleep, eat, hunt and explore whenever they want to. As they grow older they become much more lazy and predictable, but cats always have the desire for freedom. By tapping into their natural wild instincts you are giving them the freedom to behave exactly as they want to, whatever odd and unusual behaviour that might be.