Content
- Proper nutrition is the key to well-being
- Don't neglect the feline's health
- Hygiene is the most important thing for cats
- Respect your pet
- Learn to understand his language
- Increase environmental enrichment
- Choose the best litter box for cats
- Adapt the number of litter boxes to the number of cats
- Use positive reinforcement techniques
- Don't skimp on affection!
Many people think that cats, due to their more independent nature compared to dogs, don't need much to be happy. However, everyone who has one or more cats knows how much they need us, although it doesn't always seem that way.
Just give him water, food and a house? Not! Cats need a lot more to be happy in our homes.
If you love your feline unconditionally and he's already part of the family, surely you've wondered about how to make a cat happy! PeritoAnimal wrote this article summarizing 10 essential tips to ensure your pet has everything it needs to be happy by your side! Keep reading!
Steps to follow: 1
Proper nutrition is the key to well-being
Like us and all other animals, cats need to be well nourished to feel good. A diet that is adequate to the cat's nutritional needs is essential to prevent a number of common diseases in felines.
If you choose a commercial pet food, choose the best quality. There are several scientific studies that prove that a good diet improves the cat's general condition, fur quality, etc. Sometimes, some options may seem too expensive compared to lower quality ones on the market. But if you have that possibility, what investment can be better than what you make in the health of your four-legged best friend? Furthermore, in the long run, it is economically advantageous if you think about the trips to the vet that you will avoid if your cat's health is to be improved!
Remember to tailor the amount of daily food to your feline's specific needs. One of the main problems in apartment cats is obesity. Proper diet is one of the main points to avoid this problem.
Don't forget the main point in preventing kidney diseases so common in cats: water! You have fresh water always available. The ideal is to distribute several pots of water around the house. The more you motivate your cat to drink water, the better! Some cats are very peculiar when it comes to water and refuse to drink from the pot and constantly ask to drink from the tap. Buying a cat-friendly water source is a good investment in your feline's health if it's one of the hardest times to drink water.
2
Don't neglect the feline's health
Periodic visits to your trusted veterinarian are essential to prevent the most common illnesses in cats.
You must respect the vaccination schedule defined by the veterinarian, as well as internal and external deworming. Never use products that are not specific for cats and without the advice of the veterinarian. Many guardians, without malice, choose to deworm cats at home with products for dogs. Unfortunately, many products are highly toxic to cats and can even kill the animal if they don't get medical attention in time.
In addition to periodic visits to the veterinarian to ensure vaccination and deworming, always consult your veterinarian if you notice any changes in your feline. Sometimes, a small behavioral change can be caused by a physiological problem that at first glance you do not detect, but which the veterinarian is trained and has the means to do so.
If you don't want to breed your feline, whether male or female, choose to neuter! Castration has numerous benefits. For example, in cats, in addition to avoiding unwanted pregnancies, it reduces the probability of getting breast cancer by about 95%.
3
Hygiene is the most important thing for cats
You've probably noticed the amount of hours your cat spends licking itself. Cleanliness is essential for the cat's well-being. Cats can't stand dirt on their fur or a messy coat.
The same applies to their litter box. It must always be clean! If you get to the bathroom and the toilet is dirty what's the first thing you do? Flush the toilet! The cat can't do that and for these animals, the dirty litter box can be the main cause for them to start doing needs around the house. For your sake and his, keep the litter clean!
Regarding cat fur hygiene, brush the cat daily is very beneficial too, especially if you are a longhaired cat. Brushing is the most effective way to avoid hairballs in cats.
4
Respect your pet
Cats have distinct personalities. There are more sociable cats and others more solitary that, for example, hide when people come. You shouldn't force the cat when he's scared! Respect his space and wait for him to come to you!
Some cats don't like to be picked up, for example, why force him? The more you push, the worse he will feel around you, as he will begin to associate you with negative feelings. Cats have an excellent memory, for both good and bad!
Start by trying to figure out what your kitten likes most. Some cats prefer head rubs, others on the lower back. With time and patience you'll be winning your cat over, avoiding what he doesn't like. You will see that over time he will get closer and closer to you!
You must also respect his sleep. Do you know how many hours a cat needs to sleep a day? About 15 hours! That's exactly what you're reading, that's why the naps he takes throughout the day are essential for him and for him to be happy!
5
Learn to understand his language
Cats have a specific body language that they use to communicate with each other and with humans as well. Unfortunately, we still don't know how to speak "Gate". So this is the only way we can communicate with our cats.
Read our full article on cat body language and learn to interpret what your pet is feeling or trying to say to you! As in any relationship, communication is the basis of a good relationship and for sure if you learn to understand your cat you will be able to make him much happier!
6
Increase environmental enrichment
Environmental enrichment is very important to ensure your cat's psychological well-being. In other words, if your cat lives in an apartment, he needs to have toys that stimulate him physically and psychologically.
Cats, hunters by nature, need to be able to express their natural behavior through toys that simulate hunting. You don't need to spend loads of money to make your cat happy and keep him entertained! You can make toys out of cardboard, you can recycle materials. There are plenty of easy-to-make and affordable toys!
7
Choose the best litter box for cats
Most people think it's enough to put the litter and the sand in and they don't even have to think about it anymore. But that's not quite it! Some cats have very particular preferences, even in relation to the type of box and the type of sand.
After all, what is the best litter box for cats? There is no linear answer to this question. What experts advise is that this is at least 1.5 times the size of the cat, allowing it to do those little turns on itself before urinating or defecating. Furthermore, according to experts, the best sandboxes are discoveries! Read our full article on this matter!
The choice of sand is also very important! Did you know that some cats refuse to urinate and/or defecate in certain types of sand? Your cat may not be refusing, but the sand you are using may not be the best for him. Read our article on what is the best hygienic cat litter and choose a litter that will make your cat happier when it comes to taking care of his needs!
8
Adapt the number of litter boxes to the number of cats
Do you have more than one feline? Did you know there must be more than one box? That's right. According to specialists in feline behavior, the ideal is to have n+1 boxes, with n being the number of cats. In other words, if you have two cats, the ideal would be to have 3 litter boxes.
Read our full article on how many litter boxes per cat to find out everything the experts say about it.
9Use positive reinforcement techniques
Cats can be trained too! Positive reinforcement in cats is the ideal method for you to teach your cat to have certain behaviors. Positive reinforcement consists of reward the cat with appropriate treats or affection whenever he demonstrates certain attitudes that you consider positive. Through positive reinforcement, you can teach him to paw, use the scraper and prevent him from destroying your sofas! Furthermore, training is an excellent way to increase the cat's stimulation, contributing to his psychological well-being, as well as improving the relationship between the two of you!
10
Don't skimp on affection!
Finally, don't skimp on petting! Pamper your cat a lot whenever he has positive attitudes. Don't ignore him when he looks for you. Sometimes we are too busy with our problems and involved in our day-to-day tasks and, unintentionally, we belittle our pets' attempts to interact. Most cats, unlike dogs, aren't looking for us all the time. We have to take advantage whenever they want our company and affection.
Don't be ashamed to show your love for your feline. Loving our pets is all the best! After all, is there a better company than theirs?
