Every Kind of Cat Earth Day

It’s April 22nd again, and you know what that means – time to celebrate Earth Day with our favorite furry little eco-warriors…cats! And that means every kind of cat. Enjoy our eco-friendly tips for cat lovers.

That’s right, from the neighborhood stray patrolling for rats to the adventurous outdoor escape artist, our feline friends are just tapping into their primal instincts as nature’s premiere hunters and mousers.

 

 

Outdoor Farm or Barn Cats: Natural Pest Control

 

 

Those hard-working outdoor farm cats are the unsung heroes of pest management. They prowl barns and fields, keeping rodent populations in check. No need for toxic chemicals when you’ve got these skilled mousing crews on duty!

Remember to get all your working outdoor cats spayed or neutered. This helps prevent unexpected litters and contributes to controlling the cat population.

 

Community Cats (Strays and Ferals): Urban Rodent Controllers

 

You’ve probably seen scraggly strays hanging around city alleys or suburban culverts. These ferals are doing their civic duty by controlling urban rodent populations.

 

Instead of shooing them away, consider supporting local TNR (trap-neuter-return) groups. They monitor and manage feral cat colonies, providing shelters, food stations, and necessary medical care.

 

Adventure Cats: Exploring the Great Outdoors

 

If you’re an adventure cat enthusiast, taking your kitty on trails can be a blast! Leash training takes patience, but the joy on their little faces as they roll in the dirt or stalk rustling leaves is priceless.

My Odin and Otto are huge nature lovers. Watching them enjoying the garden adds to my love of nature.

Lately, they are obsessed with chipmunks and thankfully I save most of them. I posted a video of Otto digging at the root of the lilac tree at the moment he caught one. He’s very gentle with them because he wants to play first which gives me time to rescue the critter. Needless to say we have no mice in the house.

 

Indoor Nature for Your Indoor Cat

 

Not everyone has an escape-proof yard. If your furball can’t safely roam outside, bring nature indoors!

 

Cat-friendly greens like catnip, wheatgrass, or spider plants can be grown in planters. Cats love nibbling on these greens, and it satisfies their primal instincts.

 

Create an awesome secured catio or outdoor cat enclosure if space and budget allows. Even a small window box one will do. It’s like a mini jungle gym where they can still enjoy fresh air and sunshine.

 

Remember, whether your cat is a farm worker, a community ambassador, an adventure seeker, or a homebody, they’re all contributing to a healthier planet in their own unique ways. Happy Earth Day! 🌎🐾

 

I hope this list is helpful. If you like it, please share or pin on Pinterest.

 

 

Sometimes I forget most cats are indoor only. While I’m a passionate advocate for safe indoor/outdoor cat care, I respect those who want to keep their cats strictly indoors. Here are some additional tips to keep your indoor cat happy and fulfilled:

• Environmental Enrichment:: Create a cat-friendly environment with vertical and horizontal options. Install padded perches near sunny windows or consider an enclosure that fits in a window frame.
• Cat Trees: Invest in a ready-made cat tree (also known as a “kitty condo”) or make your own. Cat trees provide climbing opportunities and utilize vertical space, especially in multi-cat households. There are amazing new designs these days so if you haven’t upgraded in recent years, consider a new cat tree. Please recycle your old one.
• Interactive Play: Play with your cat daily using toys that allow them to stalk, chase, pounce, and kick. Rotate toys to keep things interesting.
• Puzzle Toys: Offer food puzzles that challenge their minds and bodies. These prevent overeating and satisfy their natural instincts.
• Establish a Routine: Cats thrive on predictability. Set consistent feeding times, play sessions, and sleeping spots based on their natural circadian rhythm.
• Spending Time Together: Be present with your cat. Talk to them, pet them, and enjoy their company. Hanging out with and observing your cat is the best way to keep tabs on their physical and emotional well being.
• Safety Measures:Toxic Plants:Ensure your home is free of toxic plants. Some common ones include lilies, poinsettias, and philodendrons.
• Secure Windows and Balconies: Install screens or secure enclosures to prevent accidental falls. This is especially important in spring and warmer weather.
• Cat-Proof Your Yard: If you allow supervised outdoor time, check your fence for escape routes and remove any toxic plants or dangerous objects.

Grooming and Healthcare:

Regularly groom your cat to keep their coat clean and reduce shedding. In spring, cats shed more. Even Otto who has not shed at all since adopting him in November is shedding a little. He loves his daily brushes.

Change of season is a good to schedule routine veterinary visits for vaccinations, check-ups, and preventive care.

Remember, indoor only cats can lead happy and fulfilling lives with the right care and attention. 🐾

 

Happy Earth Day!

 

Happy Every Kind of Cat Earth Day also to my dear black cat friends from @blackcatsof IG