Creative Problem Solving with Cats

Locutus of Box, resistance is futile!

To change or adapt to a situation we can use creative problem solving. In this case, we worked to help our cats adapt, or maybe they were helping us adapt. Before I explain how our furry little cats trained us, let’s explain creative problem solving and its process, which differs from critical thinking in our last post.

Creative problem solving is useful in solving many types of problems, such as those with unknown sets of parameters or unlimited options. When finding ways to move from your current point to a desired point in the future, creativity can help guide you. For instance, we have all held a job we disliked. Many of us still want to move forward to a dream career. Using creative problem solving in finding options or different ways to promote ourselves is a great technique for reaching goals.

Some skills are useful in using the creative problem solving process, such flexibility, an open mind, and courage. These skills help us explore and adapt to any situation. The skills also encourage us to improve techniques and find unique solutions, such as meeting our cats’ needs. Try comparing the skills of creative problem solving and critical thinking.

Thankfully, creative problem solving is not a talent or trait one is born with, but rather a trainable skill. The process consists of understanding the problem, generating ideas, developing ideas, and taking action. One doesn't have to hope for good genes, but can learn.

Asura, the center of the universe.

The first step in creative problem solving is identifying the problem and establishing the goal. Our first cat problem was evident when we bought a wonderful $300 cat tower and none of our cats used it. Our oldest, pictured left, preferred to lay in the middle of the floor. We still wanted to give them a place to play besides behind our backs, with our toes, under our feet or sheets, and on our heads (One of my cat's favorite spots).


As many of us know, cats love boxes. My husband’s cat, Locutus, uses them mostly as a food source. She claims every loose box piece and chews it to bits. Our first step in solving our problem was creating a space that Locutus won’t eat to bits before the others can play in it.

Another issue was our other two cats. Our oldest cat, Asura, is very easy going and believes the world revolves around her and everyone exists solely to give her attention. She needed an open space to lounge in a busy part of the house so she can plea for attention as we give her none. Ever. At least, she makes it seem so. 

Freya, the vicious stalker.

The baby of the group, my cat Freya, prefers to stalk everything, including paper and Legos. She needed a place to hide and to run in and out for those ever so silent toe attacks. After we gathering information, including our resources, we began working toward our goal of creating a play space meeting each cat’s needs.

The next step in the creative problem solving process is generating ideas. My husband and I spent many days exploring types of cat areas, cat behavior, and watching our own cats. Some of our ideas were buying a tube system, exchanging our cat tree, or building a new cat tree. A new piece of information was that cats like change to keep them stimulated. We couldn't keep buying or building different play areas or could we?

The epiphany came when we were watching how our cats made us chase them around the new cat tree.  We discovered they were using it but not as we expected. After chasing Locutus around for the hundredth time, we noticed how she used other objects around the tree to get what she wanted. Aha! Why can’t we build onto the tree in cardboard boxes we get every day? It could be altered at any time while still providing them plenty of stimuli.

The mighty Viking ship.

The first project we put into action took a half hour using only the resources we had on hand. Tada! A cardboard Viking ship, complete with a sail to hide Freya. We attached the ship to the cat tree with more cardboard homes. Because we positioned the large base next to a walkway Asura had her large sleeping area where she could reach everyone. 

Understanding the creative problem solving process helped us approach our problem with more confidence and curiosity than we usually would. In addition, we were able to create a wonderful product that met our goal.