Toys are a great way to keep your cat happy.
September is Happy Cat Month, so how do you keep your cat happy? Here are 10 tips for a happier cat.
Entertain Me!
Cats need lots of different types of entertainment. Provide a variety of toys such as catnip stuffed toys, toys with bells, toys that roll, kick toys, and toys they can chase such as wand toys with feathers attached. Be sure to put any toys with strings away when you are not there to supervise. You don’t want you cat getting caught up in the string. Boxes and paper bags are loads of fun for cats too. Even a crumpled-up piece of paper that your cat can bat around can provide fun entertainment. Make sure you rotate your cat’s toys. You don’t want your cat to get bored, mix things up.
Providing toys is great but you also need to play with your cat. Playing with your cat on a daily basis will strengthen your bond.
Lots of Love
Spending time with your cat is another way to keep your cat happy. While cats don’t mind spending time alone doesn’t mean they don’t like attention too. Spend time petting and playing with your cat daily.
Provide proper scratching items to keep your cat happy.
Scratch, Scratch, Scratch
Scratching is a way for your cat to stretch their muscles and sharpen their claws. It is a natural instinct, so it is important for you to provide appropriate things for your cat to scratch so that your cat doesn’t choose something inappropriate, like your furniture. Not all cats like to scratch the same way. Some cats like vertical surfaces, while others like horizontal surfaces. Some cats like carpeted items, while others prefer things covered in rope. Some cats would rather scratch the corrugated cardboard scratching boards you can buy at your local pet supply store. Take the time to find out what your cat likes. It will save your furniture and carpeting in the long run.
A Place to Escape
While cats enjoy spending time with you they also need a place where they can get away. Provide your cat with a place where they can sleep, hide or just relax.
Provide a place for your cat to view the outside world to keep your cat happy.
A Room with A View
Cats love to look outside. Provide them with the window where they can see the birds, lizards, squirrels, and other wildlife while remaining safely inside.
Keep it Clean and Private
Want to keep your cat happy? Keep their litter box clean and secluded. Cats are fastidious when it comes to their litter boxes. Cleaning their litter box daily will give you a happier cat. Don’t be surprised if your cat finds another place to go if you don’t keep their litter box clean. Cats also like privacy and will be happier if their box is located in a private place such as a closet or unused room. Do not put their litter box near their food. Cats don’t like to eat in their bathroom any more than we do. If you have a multi-cat household you will need one litter box per cat, plus one extra box. So, if you have three cats, you should have four litter boxes. Don’t have all the litter boxes in the same place. Disburse them throughout the house. As I said, cats like their privacy.
Cat grass is one way to keep your cat happy.
Let the Grass Grow
Cats love to graze on different types of grasses. Purchase some cat-friendly grasses at your local pet supply store and place the containers throughout your house. These grasses can be good for your cat’s health and are easy to grow. Your cat will thank you.
Fresh water should always be provided to keep your cat happy.
Fresh Water and Good Food
Provide your cat with fresh water at all times. Some cats prefer drinking water that is moving. You can purchase a drinking fountain online or at your local pet supply store. Providing fresh water is important especially if you feed your cat dry kibble as there is very little water content in dry food.
Don’t overfeed your cat. Open feeding can cause your cat to overeat and become obese. An overweight cat will become sedentary and unhappy. If you are concerned about your cat’s weight talk with your veterinarian about the best way to get your cat back to a healthy weight. Do not put your cat on a diet without first talking with your veterinarian.
Keep Them Healthy
Regular veterinary checkups are a great way to keep your cat happy. Cats do not show signs of illness readily, so regular trips to your veterinarian are imperative to making sure your cat is healthy.
Train Them
Yes, you read that correctly. Train your cat! Train your cat to walk on a leash so that they can safely enjoy the great outdoors. Teach your cat tricks to keep their brains challenged and amaze your friends. You can teach a cat to do anything you can teach a dog to do. Cats can learn the basics, such as sit, down, stay and even more complicated behaviors such as running an agility course. Keep your training sessions short and fun. Get creative.
How Can Dances with Dogs help?
If you want help training your cat our certified trainers can get you started. If you don’t have time to keep your cat entertained or litter boxes clean our professional pet care specialists will be happy to take care of those things for you. Don’t have time to get to the store? Our pet supply shopping service can pick up that kitty water fountain, those fun toys or the cat grass you cat is craving. Does your cat need a ride to the vet? We can do that too! Contact us for more information.