Cat Enrichment

Winter, with its short days and chilly weather, often confines us indoors, making it the perfect season to enjoy the warmth and company of a cat. A field of study known as zooeyia (pronounced zoo-AY-uh) explores the positive impact of human-animal interactions on health, including physical, mental and emotional health. Meaning a cat isn’t just comforting a cozy companion during the colder months, but you share a beneficial, lifelong bond. In this article, we’ll explore the many health benefits to sharing your home with a cat. We’ll also provide some fun activities to enjoy with your cat during a cozy snow day.

Zooeyia: The Healing Power of Pets

Derived from the Greek word for “animal” (zoion) and “health” (Hygeia, the ancient Greek goddess of health), zooeyia encompasses the wide-ranging physical, emotional, and social benefits of owning pets. Cats, as beloved companions, exemplify zooeyia by their ability to:

• Boost Mental Health: Cats have been shown to reduce stress and increase happiness in both adults and children. They often become part of family rituals and conversations, bringing joy and connection among household members. Despite their occasionally aloof expressions, cats don’t judge us. Their calming presence, combined with their warm purrs and cozy lap-sits, playful zoomies and graceful stretches, can instantly lighten our mood. Research supports this: petting a cat lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, and increases oxytocin, a chemical that promotes trust and reduces anxiety. Caring for a cat can also enhance self-esteem and provide emotional support, which helps prevent loneliness and makes life’s struggles easier to manage.
• Support Physical Health: Studies have found that cat owners maintain lower heart rates and blood pressure during stressful tasks and recover faster than non-owners. Additionally, owning a cat is linked to a reduced risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease—even for those who no longer own a cat but did in the past. These benefits remain significant even when controlling for factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and body mass index.
• Promote Physical Activity: Engaging in interactive play with cats keeps both you and your kitty active, even indoors​. Not to mention, cats can boost flexibility—they’ll have you bending down to rescue lost toys from under the couch, squatting to clean the litter box, and perfecting your poses as they “help” during yoga sessions!

Fun Indoor Activities to Enjoy with Your Cat

Combat winter monotony by getting creative with your cat! These activities not only enrich your pet’s life but also elevate your mood and strengthen the bond between you and your kitty.

• Build a Pillow Fort: Transform your living room into a cozy playground by constructing a fort with pillows, blankets, and boxes. Most cats love exploring confined, soft spaces, making this a win for both comfort and entertainment.
• Get Crafty With New DIY Toys: Create cat toys with household items, like crumpled paper balls and empty toilet paper rolls, to stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts. Be sure to give your cat a high-protein snack afterwards, which is what they would enjoy after hunting in the wild.
• Watch a Movie Together: Find a bird documentary to stream and watch it with your cat. It’ll provide you both with entertaining mental enrichment.
• Use Extra Indoor Time for Training: Contrary to popular belief, cats can learn tricks, especially when you use clicker training. Use positive reinforcement to teach your cat simple commands like “sit” or “high five.” Clicker training not only engages a cat’s mind but also supports their mental health, making it especially beneficial for cats who are easily stressed.
• Create a Winter Spa Day: Groom your cat with a gentle brushing session, trim their nails, brush their teeth, and take a nap together. This strengthens your bond and keeps them healthy, especially their coat, which is important during the dry winter months.

Note that some cats need breaks from physical touch. Read our blog post on overstimulation in cats to learn how to recognize the signs to ensure a positive experience.

Closing Thoughts

Cats offer much more than companionship—they embody the principles of zooeyia by enhancing our mental and physical health, especially in challenging times like winter. Pairing these benefits with fun activities ensures both you and your cat stay happy and engaged. We always have cats available for adoption, so check them out if you’re ready to embrace the warmth and joy they bring to your home (or multiply it if you already have cats!). 

About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit. 

Resources

Allen, K., Blascovich, J., & Mendes, W. (1998). Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends, and spouses: the truth about cats and dogs. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 30(1–2), 116. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-8760(98)90295-1 

Anderson, K. L., & Olson, J. M. (2015). The value of a pet in enhancing the quality of life. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 28(4), 526–534. https://www.jabfm.org/content/28/4/526.long

McConnell, A. R., Brown, C. M., Shoda, T. M., Stayton, L. E., & Martin, C. E. (2011). Friends with benefits: On the positive consequences of pet ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(6), 1239-1252. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024506

Stammbach, K. B., & Turner, D. C. (1999). Understanding the Human—Cat Relationship: Human Social Support or Attachment. Anthrozoös, 12(3), 162–168. https://doi.org/10.2752/089279399787000237

Introduction

With Halloween approaching, it’s the perfect time to spotlight a particular type of cat—and no, we’re not talking about black cats! Instead, we’re focusing on tri-color cats, whose coats feature a mix of black, orange, and white in varying patterns and ratios. While “tri-color” and “calico” are often used interchangeably, calico cats have a distinct coat pattern. Tortoiseshell cats are also considered tri-color, even though they usually lack white and have their own unique pattern. It’s important to remember that “calico” and “tortoiseshell” refer to coat patterns, not breeds. These color combinations are the result of genetics and can appear in any breed, though they are more commonly found in breeds like American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Japanese Bobtail, Maine Coon, and Persian.

There are also diluted and tabby variations of tortoiseshell and calico cats—so many colorful kitties to love! In the rest of this article, we’ll explore the different markings and patterns that define each type of tri-color coat. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize the unique beauty of every tri-color cat you encounter.

Tri-color Cat Genetics

Tri-color cats are almost always female, with approximately one in 3,000 being male. This is because two X chromosomes are needed to have a distinctive tri-color coat. Typically, if a cat has an XX pair, she will be female. Male cats have an XY chromosome pair, so they’re not tri-color unless they have at least one extra chromosome (XXY). Unfortunately, these males often suffer from Klinefelter’s Syndrome, a condition that can negatively affect their health and longevity.

Calico Cats and Their Variations

Calico cat coats feature patches of solid orange, black, and white. The white color is a result of a genetic condition called piebalding, which occurs in a range of other domestic and farm animals. In a diluted calico, the colors are more muted to cream, gray, and white, due to a gene inherited from one of the parents that diminishes color intensity.

“Tabico” is a term for cats that have a combination of tabby and calico markings. These cats have large patches of orange and black on a white background, with tabby stripes overlaying some of the black and orange areas. When tabby stripes cover the forehead, they form the distinctive “tabby M.” A diluted tabico’s coat features cream, gray, and white fur.

Tortoiseshell Cats and Their Variations

Tortoiseshell, or “tortie,” cats have brindle patterns (irregular stripes or streaks) of orange and black with little to no white. A diluted tortie has gray and cream colors and is a result of both parents carrying a recessive gene that impacts the intensity of the colors.

A torbie cat exhibits both the multi-colored brindle pattern of a tortoiseshell cat and the characteristic stripes or spots of a tabby. Like the tabico, if there are tabby stripes on the cat’s forehead, they will display the “tabby M.” Diluted torbies usually have a cream, gray and white coat.

Tortico: A Unique Blend

A “tortico” is a combination of classic tortie and calico markings, featuring large patches of orange and black brindling on a white background. A diluted tortico is relatively rare, and will be gray and cream, and white.

Closing and Final Fun Facts!

As you can see, there are many variations of tri-color cats but you can still count yourself lucky if you run into one! In many cultures tri-color cats are connected with good luck and good fortune, and in the U.S., they are sometimes called “money cats.”

People who have tri-color cats often report that they’re equally sweet and sassy and tortoiseshell cat owners often refer to their feisty side as having “tortitude.” However, since tri-color cats aren’t a breed, research hasn’t been able to confirm that this extra feistiness is a distinct trait related to their coat pattern. That said, if you haven’t taken our “Whats Your Cat Purrsonality” quiz on our Just Fur Fun page, now’s your chance! Discover which cat breed or color pattern best represents you—maybe even find out if you have a bit of tortitude!”

About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit.