As attentive owners, we want our cats to always be happy and healthy. With this in mind, some simple tips can help ensure this.
1. Pay attention to body language
Cats communicate with humans using body language and meows. However, humans are not always good at decoding the meanings of their meows. Fortunately, we can read cats’ body language.
For instance, slow blinking likely indicates a positive emotional state, while unhappy cats will withdraw, flatten their ears, hiss, or, in extreme cases, scratch or bite.
It’s best to allow cats to approach you on their own terms rather than pressing for social interaction. A cat approaching you with its tail up is giving a friendly signal, while a tail swishing back and forth signals irritation.
2. Provide a healthy environment
The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine have identified the five pillars of a healthy feline environment.
These include a safe space where cats can retreat if they feel scared; separated key resources such as food, water, toileting areas, scratching posts, play areas, and resting or sleeping spots; opportunities for play and stimulation of predatory behavior, such as playing with wand toys that simulate hunting.
Additionally, they highlighted positive, consistent, and predictable interactions between humans and cats, respecting the cat’s choice on whether and how to interact; respecting a cat’s senses by avoiding unwanted stimuli such as strong smells and loud noises; and providing desirable sensory stimulation, such as using catnip to calm them.
3. Clean the litter box
Cats are highly hygienic creatures. While cleaning the litter box may seem like an unpleasant task for you, cats prefer a clean box.
Cats enjoy spending time at the litter box before, during, and after their bathroom trips and generally prefer a large box. Moreover, poor litter box hygiene is associated with the risk of urinary problems, which can be life-threatening.
4. Anticipate tensions between your cats
If you have more than one cat at home, tensions between them are common but often overlooked, as they do not always involve physical fights. Signs of tension between cats may include prolonged staring contests or even blocking access to resources like the litter box or the cat door to prevent other cats from using them.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners noted that this can cause chronic fear, anxiety, and stress-related illnesses in cats. Recognizing and managing tensions between house cats can improve the well-being of all involved.
5. Keep cats and other animals safe
If you’re considering letting your cat roam freely on the streets, think again. Besides preying on wildlife, outdoor cats face risks that include fights with other cats, infectious diseases (such as feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV), and traffic accidents.
Ideally, cats should not be allowed to roam freely without supervision, even within the boundaries of your property. Outdoor access provides sensory stimulation with different sights, sounds, and smells. However, you can train your cat to walk outdoors on a leash for supervised outings.
Cats are intelligent and, contrary to popular belief, can be trained. The process can be enriching for both cats and their owners. With patience and commitment, you can successfully train your cat.
Photo and video: Unsplash. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
