Not many people realize that cats need mental stimulation. We like to have challenges- and puzzles- they keep us happily occupied and ease boredom. People hate to be bored, but not many people realize their pets don’t like it anymore than they do.
Boredom leads to depression and feelings of lonliness in people and animals. What do cats do when they get bored and have to find ways to entertain themselves?
Here are a few examples;
We look for experiments to perform. Results may vary.
We may even get bored enough to try to help with laundry. The other pets in the house just may need a good washing.
We may also try to lift the spirits (and bodies) of the smaller pets in the house.
If you’re not good at interior decorating, we may volunteer to help change things up a bit.
Why, we may even help you “put away” the groceries!
Make the rain STOP!! There’s birds out there that need caught!
This rain really cramps my style!
It has been raining all. day. long! I tried to be a patient kitty, just watching the raindrops incessantly falling from my perch on top of the Can Opener’s desk- but after counting over 156,700,439 (and a half) raindrops, I finally gave up and decided to pick a “fight” with the Can Opener’s toes. Unfortunately, she never sits still long enough for that to be effective, so I have to look for another victim…. and here she is- all cozy on the couch, covered up with the Can Opener’s robe…
Thanks for my new robe, Human. You’re not allowed to use it anymore.
So, like any other cat in its right (bored) mind, I crept up to the couch, right up to the spot where Sushi’s tail was hanging (uncovered) over the edge of the couch, and gave her a quick, SWAT! (FOUR times in rapid succession).
Unfortunately, neither Sushi or the Can Opener had a sense of humor about it, and Sushi got mad and actually MOVED! Wow. Never thought I’d see that happen.
So finally, (probably just to save my life)- the Can Opener finally stopped messing around in the kitchen, got her 13th cup of coffee, and that dang phone of hers, and sat down and played with me in the rug.
It went something like this… (with Sushi glaring at me for daring to wake her up)….
After I went psycho for twenty minutes (Mom said I made Sheba look sweet and calm)- I was finally tired enough to eat a boatload of fancy feast and half a bag of treats. But again, the Human spoiled my day by saying “no- you don’t need that many treats.” I said I did. She said I didn’t.
I think we argued. She won, this time. But not for long…
How to Train your Humans 