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Enrichment Tips & Toys for a Happy, Healthy Big Cat

healthy big cat playing with enrichment toy

Keeping lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and other big cats emotionally and physically healthy has always been a challenge.

healthy big catStudies and experience prove habitat enrichment is an effective antidote to stress, nipping, and boredom. When the habitat is sufficiently enriched with items the cats like, you’ll see less pacing and prolonged sleeping behavior. 

The Aussie Dog Big Cat Bungee is perfect for enclosures with limited height.

For instance, the bungie has a D-ring for easy attachment. The soft tail and blue color keep lions and tigers interested and occupied in a temporary pen or permanent enclosure. Smaller and young cats will love the Aussie Dog Small Cat Sam. 

It’s no secret cats like to roll and bite a ball.

But big cats need a large, tough ball that is fun and durable. Our 31” Polyethylene ball is designed to be clawed, rolled, and bit by your cats. The ball is available in a variety of wall thicknesses and color options. Tough enough for all weather play. 

Big cats require a variety of enrichment items to satisfy curiosity and prevent stereotypic captive behavior. The Otto 46” box is made of sturdy polyethylene and can be modified to hold meat treats and olfactory stimulants. In addition, it even floats in water. We also offer a 48″ x 20″ x 8″ box that is easy to modify for your cat’s habitat. The boxes are available in many colors and wall thickness options. 

Tigers enjoy the water, especially in summertime. Keep your cats active with the floating rectangular 47” box.

And it’s easy to bite and carry around, even in the water. The Otto 22” box makes a great “throne” for your cats. It provides a comfortable resting place in the shade or in a temporary enclosure. The Otto Cylinder can be used anywhere but really shines in the water. The hollow polyethylene cylinder has safe, smooth edges. It can be rolled, tackled, and bit in the water and on land. Cylinders are available in several sizes for large and small cats. 

Experience shows that effective enrichment devices result in natural behavior. The Lion Sam 2 Bungie Toy is hung from a tree or other overhead mount. Tigers, lions, and other cats love to bat and bite the ball and tail. They’ll tug and pull the Lion Sam bungie as it “fights back”, stimulating hunting behavior. 

The Jingle Ball is a favorite at zoos because it provides big cats with auditory stimulation in addition to the challenge of rolling and biting the ball. The bells are safely sealed inside the tough polyethylene ball.  Visitors will enjoy seeing and hearing the cats playing with the Jingle Ball. The Jingle Ball is available in 18-36” diameter and comes in a variety of colors including bright blue and translucent. 

The key to successful big cat habitat enrichment is to experiment with a variety of enrichment tools. For example, an Ocelot may like one toy while a panther will prefer a different color or shape. Try several products to find out what your cats like.