For many pet parents, aquariums are one of the best things you can do for your cat to keep them entertained. They are calming for cats, stimulate the senses and can help keep your cat focused on you when you need to ask them to come back to you after a long day or play with you. In fact, this is so popular that there are even cat-themed fish tanks on the market to make this easier for you and your cat.
The latest craze in aquariums for cats is to build or purchase a fish tank designed specifically for the purpose of watching fish swim around. This is a great way to entertain and bond with your pet while also allowing them to fulfill their natural instinct of stalking prey. Cats without outlets for this can get very bored and can lead to some major behavior problems, including furniture scratching and not using the litter box.
There are plenty of videos of cats watching and interacting with fish tanks that have gone viral on social media, so this is definitely an option you can try for yourself. However, it is important to note that while these videos are entertaining for cats and can be very relaxing, it is not a replacement for a real fish tank in your home. A real tank is much more interactive and will provide your cat with a better sense of connection to the animal.
While the idea of a cat playing with or drinking from a fish tank might seem weird to you, it is totally normal for cats to do this. In fact, my cat Kepler begs for fish water by pointing to the sink, toilet or soaking frypan that has dirty tank water in it (which is actually better for him than drinking straight out of his bowl next to the food). It seems as though the fish in the tank don’t care that he is drinking from their old water and they are more than happy to provide him with this drink.
As for the benefits of viewing fish, it has been shown that aquariums can reduce anxiety, especially in people with mild depression and PTSD. A study that showed participants who were about to give a presentation watched an aquarium or a blank video and then answered questions, found that the heart rate and diastolic blood pressure of the aquarium group was lower after their interaction with the fish than in the blank video group.
A recent aquarium trip paired with the Bitty Kitty Brigade, a foster-based rescue that works with orphaned kittens, gave these adorable animals a special field trip to SEA LIFE at the Mall of America in Minnesota. The aquarium hosted the kittens and puppies before opening hours to both socialize them and encourage adoption. The Bitty Kitty Brigade fosters took the kittens to watch the fish in a special aquarium designed just for them.