Cat — environmental enrichment & exercise (indoor safety, hunting-instinct toys, meal-scatter feeding)
Source: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com), a copyrighted veterinary reference. Per COPYRIGHT_POLICY §3, the points below are paraphrased derived fact summaries: numerical values and proper nouns are preserved from the source, but sentences are rewritten and not quoted verbatim.
Claims
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Indoor living is far safer for cats than outdoor access.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Under-exercised cats risk obesity and related health problems.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Toys like feather wands or balls trigger hunting play and encourage activity.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Split meals into several bowls around the home to prompt the cat to move and find them.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Play and interactive toys build the bond and reduce destructive behavior.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* A water fountain encourages drinking by offering moving water.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Do not tuck the litter box away in a basement or garage.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Cats are harder to exercise than dogs, but hunting-style toys help.
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License & attribution
Source: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com) is a copyrighted veterinary reference and is not openly licensed. Per COPYRIGHT_POLICY §3, every claim above is a paraphrased derived fact summary (numbers and proper nouns preserved, sentences rewritten), not a verbatim quotation.
- https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/selecting-and-providing-a-home-for-a-cat