Sophie's World

“A cat improves the garden wall in sunshine, and the hearth in foul weather.”

~Judith Merkle Riley

Photo by Dr. Hemmert

“There is no more intrepid explorer than a kitten.”

~Jules Champfleury

Photo by BigTallGuy

Sometimes the hardest thing about having a cat in the house is keeping her entertained. Cats are very intelligent creatures. I attribute it to their close proximity to their ancestral counterparts. They are keenly aware of their surroundings. Here are some ways to keep cats amused and off of your curtains.

Rotate toys.
A toy is soon forgotten. When you rotate toys, it’s like there’s a new toy in the house. I like to rotate every two weeks.

Interact with your pet and their toys.
Any toy has endless possibilities for new games. Cats thrive on interaction with their owners. Your participation makes the play more enjoyable for your pet. You’ll be surprised at how your pet makes new games her favorite pastime.

Catnip makes any toy more fun.
Not all cats react to catnip. Younger cats won’t bat an eye at catnip. However, if your cat enjoys the occasional treat, make that old toy more fun with some catnip. I like to keep a small supply in a ziplock bag. I then take one of Sophie’s toys and shake it in the bag of catnip. Bruising the catnip releases new oils that enhance its effects.

“One is never sure, watching two cats washing each other, whether it’s affection, the taste, or a trial run for the jugular.”

~Helen Thomson

Photo by johhnyberg

“Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.”

~Joseph Wood Krutch

Photo by ilco