Easter Baskets for Cats

March 28, 2022
By: Adriana Valle

Last week, we posted a list of items that would make a great addition to your dog’s Easter basket. Today, we’re discussing Easter gift ideas for your cats. 

Skip the Candy

According to studies, cats only have about 480 taste buds which distinguish everything but sweet. For this reason, it’s best to find cat-friendly surprises both for their enjoyment and their safety.

Intro New Flavors Slowly

cat sitting shoreline CT

Cats may shy away from unfamiliar flavors, especially after eating the same foods for long periods. When introducing new flavors and products, create a smorgasbord of options that your cat can try on their terms. Allowing your cat to accept or reject new flavors creates a healthy space for them to explore their likes and dislikes. Also, make sure you don’t let your cats indulge if they discover a new favorite treat. While most of our recommendations are healthy and tummy-friendly, moderation is key.

Top Cat Treats to Try

Easter baskets are a great opportunity to try high-end treats. Some of our favorites are freeze-dried treats like The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. Meow Wild Venison Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats. Another great option is lickable cat treats like Applaws Purée pouches are great for nail trims and brushing. Bocce Bakery makes great limited-ingredient treats that are made with love and quality ingredients. Their Sushi Sushi Soft & Chewy cat treats are a fun way to celebrate the season with your cats. 

Enrichment & Engagement

cat training shoreline ct

Snuffle mats are excellent enrichment toys that turn meals and treat time into a fun and engaging experience. According to Julie Posluns, Founder of Cat School, an online training program for cats and their families, “the long, grass-like strands of snuffle mats encourage your cat to search for food, mimicking a natural hunting experience.” Snuffle mats encourage food foraging behaviors that can help cats stay entertained and prevent boredom.

If you think your cat might enjoy outdoor enrichment, consider a Leash Walking Kit in your cat’s Easter basket this year. Designed by Julie Posluns, Applied Animal Behaviorist, this kit comes with a training guide and clicker to ensure a well-rounded, safe, and engaging experience.

Upgrade your Cat’s Bowl

cats shoreline connecticut

Unfortunately, cats can experience whisker damage and fatigue when using the wrong food bowls. To prevent discomfort and encourage biologically natural feeding rituals, consider The Original mine Pet Platter for your Easter basket. According to the makers, the indentations, crevices, and curves on the mat encourage licking, tracking, foraging, and other natural stimulating feeding behaviors. Its floor-level position allows for 360-degree views and movement providing complete meal control, which cats, as prey and predator, greatly appreciate.

Only the Best for Your Cat

shoreline happy paws logo 2023

Finally, cats are particularly fond of their home environment, which is why the best gift you can give your cat is to have a professional pet sitter care for them while you’re away. Please contact us to schedule pet care services as soon as possible because travel is at an all-time high this year. To learn more about Shoreline Happy Paws and our service areas, contact us via our online form, call 860-964-0464, or email info@cthappypaws.com

Adriana Valle

Adriana Valle is the Owner, Founder, and Chief Pet-Loving Officer at Shoreline Happy Paws LLC, where she has led professional pet care since 2010. Her pet care journey started in Doha, Qatar, where she founded the country's first full-time pet sitting service, before relocating to the Connecticut Shoreline in 2017 and rebuilding it into a team-based pet care company trusted by more than 600 local families. Adriana is a Certified Pet First Aid and CPR Instructor, trained through the Pet Safety Crusader curriculum by Denise Fleck, and teaches hands-on Pet CPR and First Aid classes for pet parents throughout the Shoreline. She is currently pursuing a certificate in dog behavior from CATCH Canine Trainers Academy and is a longtime member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. She regularly attends pet industry conferences across the country to stay on the leading edge of professional pet care standards, safety practices, and industry trends. Shoreline Happy Paws is veterinarian recommended and proudly holds a 5-star Google review from Saybrook Veterinary Hospital. Beyond daily pet care, Adriana leads the Shoreline's pet parent community, running social community walks, hikes, and Dog Water Adventures for pet parents across Southeastern Connecticut, along with the CT Pet Parents Facebook community. She also welcomes dogs into her own Essex home through the company's Homestyle Boarding service, and is currently launching the first Doggie Adventure Bus in the CT Shoreline, a group enrichment adventure on wheels. Her love of animals started early, growing up in El Salvador surrounded by eight Boxers and her grandparents' farm animals, and later volunteering with the Qatar Animal Welfare Society caring for rescued strays. A fluent Spanish speaker, she is proud to serve Shoreline families in both English and Spanish. Today she shares her home with her husband Chris, Cannoli the Corgi, and Gnocchi the hedgehog. Adriana has written more than 200 articles on pet care, safety, and pet-friendly living. She posts weekly blogs to ensure that pet parents in the Shoreline and Lower River Valley areas of Southeastern Connecticut stay informed and educated on pet care best practices and pet-friendly living. Her topics range from Shoreline Happy Paws-specific topics, including highlighting the benefits of Dog Walking, Dog Hiking, and Cat Sitting services, to reporting on local shelter changes, wildlife threats, pet industry trends, and other current events.

Related Articles

The Hidden Costs of Skipping Daily Dog Walks

The Hidden Costs of Skipping Daily Dog Walks

Life gets busy. Between work, family commitments, errands, and everything else on your calendar, it's understandable that a daily dog walk can occasionally fall by the wayside. But when missed walks become the norm instead of the exception, many dogs begin to show us...

read more

Get the latest updates for CT Pet Parents!