All it takes is receiving a package, and your cat immediately jumps into the box. Sometimes they suddenly sprint for no apparent reason, or enthusiastically sink their claws into something. And if you feel like you’re being watched, you’d better take a quick look in that box. There’s a good chance your friend is in there plotting something. All this playing and ‘acting crazy’ stems from your cat’s instincts. By nature, your cat needs to hunt, scratch, climb, and hide. Your cat’s behavior isn’t just funny (or slightly irritating), but above all important for their well-being. How can you challenge your cat while keeping your home tidy? Discover it in this blog.
Understanding cat behavior: venturing out with a wild cat
You can pamper your cat as much as you like, but a part of their instinct will always remain. Most cat lovers enjoy this. Cats carry out all kinds of antics with remarkable elegance. They also like to do their own thing. By nature, they are solitary animals.
Hunting
The best-known cat behavior is, of course, hunting. Every cat does this naturally. Most hunts in the wild are unsuccessful. To get enough food, a cat has to make many attempts. Your cat does the same, even though a bowl of Hoopo Chick Paté is waiting for them.
Scratching
It is important for a cat to keep their claws well maintained. By scratching trees and the ground, they remove the dead outer layer of their claws. This allows new, healthy claws to grow. Another function of scratching is marking territory. This makes your cat(s) feel safe. Finally, scratching is a way for your cat to stretch out and relax. It also helps them release their energy.
Hiding
Hiding sounds like a fun game, but it serves other purposes for your cat too. In the wild, your headstrong friend is both hunter and prey. They need shelter from larger predators, but they can also set up an ambush themselves. That’s bad news for the bird nearby.
Climbing
Most cats love climbing onto all sorts of things. There’s a good chance you’ll find your cat on top of the bookcase one day. A high spot gives your cat comfort and a good overview. They naturally love that! It also provides a sense of security: they can retreat when the house gets busy.
What toys do cats like?
Your cat is happiest when you have cat toys at home that are useful to them. Ideally, they should be able to scratch, climb, hide, and hunt in your home. This is slightly less important for a cat that spends a lot of time outdoors. Still, for your cat’s happiness and the protection of your furniture, it’s best to give them opportunities to express their natural behavior.
Cat toys for hiding
A shelter or hiding place will make your cat very happy. It fulfills all kinds of needs that matter to a cat. Our play and sleep cube Cube has everything your cat looks for in a box. Cats can crawl inside or on top of Cube for all kinds of antics, or simply to relax. The large and small viewing holes let them keep an eye on everything and encourage mischievous cat games. The sturdy felt is also suitable for scratching. What more could your cat want?
Cat toys for hunting
Small toys that your cat can chase themselves are perfect for stimulating their hunting instinct. It’s also a lot of fun to play together with your cat. Our Tail toy from Hoopo is ideal for this. Looking for small toys that are extremely sturdy? Then our set of durable Mini Donuts is a great option! The size is suitable for kittens and adult cats. For adult cats, the Globes (sisal balls) are also interesting: they can scratch them and chase after them to their heart’s content.
Cat toys for scratching
With a good scratching piece of furniture at home, you provide for an important need of your cat. Because not every cat and home is the same, Hoopo lets you choose between a scratching post and a scratching mat. A scratching mat is more compact, while a scratching post is larger.
Our Totem scratching post is wonderfully large and incredibly durable. Your cat can also climb up it, allowing this piece of furniture to meet several needs. Need a more flexible, smaller scratching piece of furniture? Triangle and Moustache also fit in smaller rooms and have a playful design.
Cat toys for climbing
Climbing is great for your cat. A climbing post is ideal for this. Slightly lower, but still suitable for getting their ‘paws off the floor’, is the Totem scratching post. It provides lots of scratching and climbing fun!
Don’t have endless amounts of space, while your cat really loves being up high? You can also clear a spot on top of a bookcase that isn’t too high. Place a cat bed on top, such as Hoopo’s Tri blanket. Just make sure there are no fragile items on top of the cabinet.
Quality time: how much should you play with your cat?
Time to get moving! Most cats find interacting with their human much more interesting than automatic toys. They often lose interest in those quickly. Kittens and indoor cats in particular need more interaction. Of course, this varies from cat to cat, but one thing is certain: playing strengthens your bond and is a lot of fun.
Fun for your cat, stylish for you
A cat needs space to play, but we also know that cat furniture doesn’t always match your taste. With Hoopo’s stylish cat toys, that’s a thing of the past. Every toy and piece of furniture has been carefully designed for both your cat and you. That way, you don’t have to put up with a bulky scratching post, and your cat can let loose!
