10 purr-fect tips for making your cats happy!
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10 Cool Tips on Making Cats Happy
Cats need to be happy too
It’s important that we keep our critters happy and healthy, and that includes our cats. Although I’m an infamous dog lover I also have an abiding affection for our clawing, purring and sometimes spitting felines. So when I came across this little piece of wisdom I knew I had to share:
1. Visit the veterinarian. Healthy cats are happy cats. While some owners may dread a trip to the veterinarian with their cat, many veterinary practices are cat friendly or have doctors who specialize in cats and will gladly show leery owners how pleasant a trip to the veterinarian can be. If a cat has not yet been spayed or neutered, this is an important step to keeping a cat healthy since it will help prevent aggression and decrease the risk of cancer.
2. Microchip your cat. In addition to a collar and identification tag, owners should ask their veterinarian about microchipping their feline friend. If a cat ever escapes or gets lost, having this type of permanent ID will make a reunion between cat and owner much more likely.
3. Go outside (appropriately). Yes! There are ways owners can safely take their cats outside to allow them to broaden their horizons. Cats can be walked on a leash with a harness or confined in a special outdoor area — always under supervision, of course — so they can periodically and safely experience the world outside their windows.
4. Scratch the surface. Cats should have places they are allowed to stretch and care for their claws. Scratching is an important aspect of feline behavior. Providing a long and sturdy scratching post in a vertical, horizontal or angled position is a good way to keep your cat happy … and your s ofa, too!
5. Provide preventive medications. No one likes fleas, ticks, mites or heartworms, especially your cat. Even if an owner’s cat is strictly indoors they can still be attacked by these little creepy creatures. Owners should speak with their veterinarians about the best preventive plan for their cats. A parasite-free cat is a happy cat — and will keep your family healthier, too.
6. Train together. Cats are smart and can be trained to do fun tricks just like dogs, and the mental and physical stimulation is great for felines. Teaching your cat to sit, for example, is easy, and training your cat to sit on stools instead of counters will make you and your cat much happier. An added bonus is that training will strengthen the relationship between owner and cat, which will certainly make a cat happy.
7. Work for food. Feline obesity is a huge problem in this country, and one way to combat it is for owners to make their cats work for their food. Food toys are available to channel a cat’s natural hunting drive and release kibble in small amounts. Another option is to hide a cat’s food in different places so that they have to find it. Working for food makes a cat happy because it’s great physical and mental exercise.
8. Get your cat acclimated to the carrier. Many cat owners find that the worst part about taking their cats anywhere is getting cats into their carriers. Owners should work with their cat on making their carrier a safe, secure, and inviting place to be prior to veterinary visits or family vacations. When the time comes, the cat will be happy to get into the carrier and go off on an adventure. Visit catalystcouncil.org to view Cats and Carriers: Friends not Foes for tips on how to get cats to love their carriers.
9. Provide prey toys. One of the easiest ways to make a cat happy is with a new prey toy. Cats are natural hunters and love chasing, pouncing, leaping, swatting and stalking prey, even when it’s not the real thing. There are many types of prey toys available on the market; with a little creativity, owners can even make their own out of common household items.
10. Think about getting another cat. Cats are social animals, and owners should consider getting another cat to keep their current kitty company. Cats love to play, and a playmate will make them happy — provided they are properly introduced and have the right places to eat, hide, play and go the bathroom. Visit your community animal shelter and see what feline friends they have to offer.
Remember cats are wonderful creatures and are easy to make happy. Most cats just want a home with a comfy couch they can stretch out on and a loving owner to scratch them behind their ears. During Happy Cat Month, CATalyst Council encourages people without a cat to consider adopting one from their local shelter, and encourages people with cats to use some of these 10 tips to spoil their cats a little more than usual.
Please share your cat-happy tips with us in the comments section.
The 10 happy cat points of this discussion were contributed by our friend Dr. Patty Khuly
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My big guy and our current cat co-existed for 10 years, but they had to be separated. She hated him.
We still have one cat that we’ve had for 16 years. She hates other cats, dogs, people, and anything else that moves. I have a feeling she’d destroy a companion.
She likes us, though, enjoys being the only cat, and is good at giving “high fives.” On occasion, she’ll reward us with a purr. We have to work hard for that.
…and we love her a lot…
This is a lot of good information here and I thought I knew kitty-cats. Thanks Mike.