Chapter 1: Understanding My Cat's Needs

My feline companions often seem unenthused, spending much of their day napping, which is typical for cats. However, I began to worry that they weren’t receiving enough mental and physical stimulation, particularly my cat Scout. Since Scout is blind, she misses out on the neighborhood watch duties that her sighted siblings, Harper Lee and Hermione Granger, enjoy while observing birds and squirrels from the window.

Scout tends to lounge around, and as a result, she has put on some weight. I began keeping an eye on her food consumption, but the scale hasn’t shown much improvement. Part of the issue is her habit of begging for food, even shortly after a meal. I often succumb to her pleas, as ignoring her results in her becoming quite disruptive, often walking across my laptop while I work. It’s clear that her way of expressing love is through food.

Recently, I’ve noticed that Scout has started to munch on the food meant for Harper Lee and Hermione Granger. It seems she eats her feelings too. During a recent trip to the vet, the doctor humorously remarked that she was also consuming her siblings' emotions.

In her younger days, I trained Scout to fetch toys, and while she still participates occasionally, her once energetic sprints to retrieve toys have turned into slow trots. I recognize that age affects all cats, but I want to ensure she leads a long and healthy life.

So, how can I transform this hungry, lethargic tabby into an energetic and fit kitty?

Section 1.1: Exploring Creative Activities

I came across a video on Instagram featuring a man who taught his cats to paint on canvas. He placed the canvas in a plastic bag, sprinkled it with catnip, and recorded his feline friends rolling around and creating a delightful piece of art. This idea intrigued me, but I was concerned about potential catnip overconsumption and the mess it could create.

I thought that painting could provide the interaction I was seeking for my cats. However, I wanted to find a way for them to engage without relying on catnip. Cats can be hesitant to try new things, and I wondered if their curiosity would win out or if they would simply stand back like uninterested teenagers during a family trip.

To get started, I utilized the vast array of toys I had for my cats. Instead of catnip, I opted for a cat wand and gathered some small canvases along with various shades of acrylic paint. I laid the paints on the floor, allowing the cats to pick their favorite colors. After they tapped their paws on several shades, I dotted the canvas with paint, placed it inside two zip-lock bags, and covered it with a towel to keep their paws clean.

Then, the fun began.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Painting Process

I waved the wand in the air, attempting to pique the cats’ interest. Initially, they were slow to engage, but once one of them got curious, the others quickly joined in. Soon, they were all gathered around the toy, batting at it and pawing at the canvas. The atmosphere became lively as the cats energetically attacked the cat wand, leading to a beautiful canvas created by my girls.

Now, whenever I set up the paints, my cats eagerly gather around, anticipating playtime. I’ve observed that each of them has developed unique painting techniques. Scout tends to use a sliding method, moving her entire body across the canvas, and when she's feeling lazy, it turns into a gentle roll. Meanwhile, both Hermione and Harper employ different pawing techniques; Hermione delicately places her paws on the canvas, while Harper energetically flicks her paws as if something is stuck to them. Occasionally, they can’t resist and join in the sliding fun.

The outcome has been an adorable collection of canvases that I fondly refer to as "catstract art."

Chapter 2: Celebrating Creativity

If you’re curious to see more of my cats' artistic creations, you can find them here. Additionally, if you enjoy stories about cats, consider checking out my ebook detailing my journey of adopting my blind cat, Scout. You can find it here.

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In the first video titled "Does My Cat Love Me Or Just Want Food?", the discussion revolves around understanding the motivations behind a cat's behavior and their attachment to food.

The second video, "13 Signs Your Cat LOVES You," highlights the various ways cats show affection to their owners, helping to deepen the bond between pets and their humans.