cat on cage rest - getting bored

Question
Kia ora Norman
My beautiful ginger tabby, Manus, is 5 months old.  He is a loving, people responsive and intelligent boy.  He got bowled by a car 10 days ago - hit in the rear we think.  This shattered the right side of the pelvis, dislocated his right hind leg, there was initially nerve damage to his tail and rear.  We have been praying, and he came home on Monday on cage rest for 6-8 weeks.  He has full movement back in his tail normal intentional bowel movements and rumination, indications that his femoral nerve is OK, and hope and prayer continuing for full restoration of his sciatic nerve.  He is walking around, favouring his right hind leg, sometimes the foot is clubbed, and there is deep pain sensation in his foot in some toes.
He is obviously feeling better, and is not too happy in his cage!  He has started ripping  the paper we are using to line his litter tray, cage floor and bed.  I give him cuddles by leaning inside the cage, which are lovingly received.  How do we keep him amused and happy without overstimulating him?  We will be at work, and away from home for about 10 hours each day after the Easter break, and will arrange for someone to visit him once during that time period.

Answer
Jenni,

OK,  I have thought about this one over the weekend.  You can get videotapes that cats love to watch and they will watch them for hours on end, totally engrossed.  I know an outfit named PK-Products carries them.  I also know they have a web site (try www.PK-Products.com).  

While you are at work, he will be sleeping most of the time.  Cats are not like us, they tend to sleep more lightly but for much more total time than we realize.  

It does sound as if he is doing better and is getting restless, but the last thing you need is for him to become overconfident, try to jump up on something and miss redamaging his back end!

He will like someone visiting him and cuddling him, but, meanwhile, you can see what he likes.  Cats often like sports like ice hockey because they get entranced with following the puck.

The 6-8 weeks may be long, but, you may be able to use the TV as a cat sitter to amuse Manus when he gets bored.  

That's what I have to suggest.  It sounds like Manus is on the mend and will recover most of his movement.

Best regards... Norm.