There have been numerous studies done here in Australia and in the UK and America that have tracked cats on their daily travels with a GPS unit. The results are not only surprising in how wide they roam but their behaviour has also allowed researchers to determine their motivations of why they probably walk around in a certain way and in a certain order.
People who study cat psychology tell us that your pet’s priority when venturing outside is their own safety. Is there anything around that may attack or challenge them? To satisfy this need they will inevitably climb to a high vantage point where they can survey the territory.
Having satisfied themselves that no danger is imminent, their next priority is, “What can I hunt?”
Again, this requires them to be as high as possible where they can view the largest percentage of their surroundings.
These two priorities never really stop. They are not only their first but also a recurring objective the whole time they’re outside.
Having satisfied themselves that there is no danger, nor anything to chase, they will then want to explore as far as they are able. This can be for no other reason than they are curious.
Along the way, cats are pretty good at looking out for their own comfort. A cool shady spot in summer or a place in the sun in the winter.
So, how can we translate all this information into our own pets in a park?
First, we usually start at the access point from the house. As soon as possible we suggest an Elevator, Tower or steps so your pet can get as high and broad a view of the yard as possible. Climbing also provides some often much needed exercise.
Next, we suggest providing them with as many tunnels as the budget will allow so he can explore his surroundings.
Having satisfied your pet’s two most primal instincts we look to satisfying his more personal needs.
Knowing what exactly is he looking for then dictates the rest of the park.
- If you, or any member of the family is outside he wants to see what you’re up to.
- In the summer, he wants some shade and a nice breeze would be welcomed.
- In the winter of course, he wants the opposite and will seek out some sun.
- All the while, he will be on the lookout for something to chase. That bird up in the tree may just fly too close.
Something interesting eventually happens to most cats with access to a park. Eventually they realise that nothing can touch them inside their park. Including you!
This allows them to almost completely ignore the dog next door, or the other cat walking along the top of the fence. They just learn to relax and enjoy themselves. There is even some evidence that the bird in the tree is not as interesting anymore.
They can scratch the carpet in the tunnels whenever they want and nobody yells at them, throws a shoe towards them or tries to squirt them with a water bottle. Many of our clients have given way their scratching posts inside as they are no longer used. They can’t hurt the carpet. It’s as tough as can be. No harm will come to it. It also feels good rubbing their back on that same carpet.
Lastly, this feeling of complete and absolute safety has allowed amazing transformations to several very timid cats.
The first time I personally witnessed this was some years back with a little girl called Pippa.
The first visit there, Pippa hid in her original, conventional enclosure for my entire visit. I wasn’t even aware a cat was in there. Her owner later described how incredibly timid she was.
My next visit a year or so later I saw Pippa in her park as I came down the driveway but she was gone by the time I entered the back yard.
On the next visit, she just backed up to a spot in the tunnel where she could keep an eye on me without being too close.
But on my last visit I had to Gerry-rig something up to block off the existing tunnel as she wanted a close view of my every move.