Sure, owning a cat can feel like solving a mystery. They’re not like dogs who fetch or react to words like “food” or “walk.” Sometimes it’s tough to figure out what our fuzzy feline pals want—whether it’s more treats, a new toy, or just some space. That’s why we’ve gathered top tips to help you be an awesome cat buddy, even if you’re a pro at it already.
Deep Food Bowls Actually Annoy Your Cat
Here’s something people don’t often talk about: the depth of your pet’s food bowl. When we buy bowls, we don’t usually think about how deep they are. But it’s a big deal for cats. Deep bowls can bother them because their whiskers are sensitive. If their whiskers keep hitting the sides while eating, it’s uncomfortable for them.
As per PetMD, it might overwhelm your cat with too much information, causing stress. When shopping next time, aim for shallower bowls to ease this for your pet.
Most Cats Don’t Like Belly Rubs
If your cat allows belly rubs, it’s a big sign of trust. But generally, many cats, especially around strangers, dislike belly rubs because it’s a vulnerable spot. It’s wise to avoid giving new cats belly rubs until they trust you more.
We’re not saying cats don’t enjoy being petted there, but they tend to be more protective of that area compared to other parts of their body.
Avoid Irritating Your Cat With Bell Collars
Attaching a small bell to your cat’s collar can help you know their whereabouts, even when you can’t see them. It also alerts other animals, preventing them from becoming your cat’s snack. But, bells can bother cats because they have sensitive hearing. Imagine wearing a bell around your neck all day – it would bug you too!
It’s a good idea to skip attaching a bell to your cat’s collar, especially if your cat gets scared easily.
Remember That Your Cat Is Sensitive To The Cold
Cats might seem all fluffy, but they’re sensitive to cold weather. It’s smart to keep them indoors, especially at night during winter. Cats normally have a body temperature around 100-102°F, and vets often recommend keeping your home around 70°F to prevent them from getting too chilly.
If you’ve seen your cat cozying up near the heater, fireplace, or trying to snuggle under a blanket, it could mean they’re feeling chilly.
Shorten Your Cat’s Name To Help Them Better Recognize It
Naming things can be tough, whether it’s a cat or a child. It’s common to choose a cute longer name for a cat, but it’s better to stick to one or two syllables. Longer names can make it harder for your cat to recognize when you’re calling them.
If your cat has a long name like “Sharp Fluffball Mcscratchee Nails,” you can simplify it by using a shorter version like “Fluffball” or “Nails.”
Keep Your Cat Happy By Giving It A Brush
Teaching your cat to brush themselves might seem tricky without thumbs, but it’s simpler than you think. Attach a cat brush to a wall, and your cat’s grooming instincts will kick in—they’ll enjoy rubbing against it. It’s a great way to keep them happy and busy when they’re bored.
Watching cats use a tiny comb to groom themselves is incredibly cute, but the main goal is keeping them happy and content.
Get A Scratching Post, And Learn How To Repair It
Cats have a natural urge to scratch, which often means your couches and pillows suffer. Getting a scratching post early on is a smart move. It helps your cat channel that scratching instinct in a better way. When the scratching post gets worn, try fixing it up by wrapping it with twine or yarn.
Wrapping the post with twine or yarn gives it a similar texture to a new scratching post. This helps your cat keep using it instead of your furniture, even as it wears down.
Reward Your Cat To Keep Them Interested In Lasers
Rewarding cats for good behavior might not be as common as with dogs, but it can be effective. When playing with a laser pointer, for example, cats love to chase prey. Rewarding them during this playtime can reinforce positive behaviors and prevent frustration if they can’t catch the elusive light.
Yes, rewarding your cat after a laser pointer play session keeps them happy and prevents frustration from endlessly chasing the light around the room. It’s a win-win for both of you!
Feed On Schedule To Reduce Anxiety
Cats might appear carefree most of the time, but even they get restless if mealtime passes and their bowl is empty. Having a routine is beneficial for all creatures, including humans. For your cat, sticking to a consistent feeding schedule helps keep them relaxed and content.
When your cat has a predictable day, they’re less likely to feel anxious or act out, especially when it comes to mealtime. Predictability helps keep them calm and comfortable.
Climbing Space Is Essential so Build up
If space is limited in your home, consider creating more room for your cat to explore. Building shelves and small staircases can provide additional space for them to stretch and move around. This extra room encourages running, climbing, and playing, helping your cat burn off excess energy.
You can find prebuilt cat towers and shelves at pet stores, but building your own isn’t too difficult either. There are plenty of online guides and directions available to help you create custom spaces for your cat.
Get Your Cat A Box To Keep Them Off Keyboards
When you work from home with a cat, their keyboard walks can be a real hassle. But there’s a trick to keep them busy and away from your keys. Grab a box and find a spot on your desk where it fits.
Put an open box on your desk—chances are, your cat might find it more appealing than your laptop. Cats have a thing for boxes, so it could keep them happily occupied!
Touch Their Paws Frequently To Make Trimming Easier
Encouraging cats to cooperate, especially for claw trimming, can be tricky. But you can help them get used to paw handling by gently touching or holding their paws when possible. It’s not about constantly bothering them, but making it a regular, gentle interaction.
Making paw touching like a game can relax them when it’s nail-trimming time. It might even make them more open to cuddling. Creating a positive association can work wonders!
Switch It Up When It Comes To Meals
Varying your cat’s meals is crucial, beyond just dry or wet food. Just like you wouldn’t enjoy the same meal every day, your cat needs variety too. Consistently feeding them the same thing can cause health issues in the long run.
Exactly, you don’t need to become a gourmet chef for your cat. Simply mix it up by purchasing different brands or flavors of cat food occasionally. Just like that, you provide variety without the need for a culinary masterpiece!
Bathing Your Cat Might Not Be Necessary
Even if you’re not a cat owner, it’s commonly known that cats detest baths. But it might surprise you that regularly bathing your cat could be unnecessary. Cats are experts at grooming themselves, thanks to their rough tongues, so all those struggles to bathe them might not be needed after all.
Bathing can disrupt the natural oils in their coat, so it’s best to reserve baths for times when your cat is unusually dirty or has encountered something particularly odorous. In most cases, their self-grooming takes care of their cleanliness just fine.
Weird Sounds Can Point To Underlying Issues
Absolutely, sometimes odd noises from your cat might just be, well, odd noises. But it’s crucial to stay attentive because these unusual vocalizations can sometimes signal underlying health problems. PetMD notes that such noises could indicate various health issues, so keeping an eye on your cat’s behavior is essential if they’re acting out of the ordinary.
Absolutely, strange vocalizations could hint at serious issues like high blood pressure or thyroid problems, which, if untreated, can be concerning. If you notice unusual sounds from your cat, consulting a vet is the best course of action for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Get Rid Of Litter Box Odor With Green Tea
Having a cat means no bathroom accidents, thanks to their litter box instincts. Yet, keeping the litter box clean is essential to prevent funky odors, especially if you wait between cleanings. Luckily, there’s a simple and natural fix for that.
Green tea (dry) sprinkled into your cat’s litter box can effectively tackle any unpleasant odors that might have otherwise wafted through your room or home.
Use Baking Soda And Vinegar As Cleaners
Accidents happen with pets around, but opting for all-natural cleaners can be a smart choice. Baking soda and vinegar work wonders: a mixture of water and vinegar in a spray bottle helps eliminate bacteria, while sprinkling a bit of baking soda aids in lifting stains and odors.
Absolutely! Even if you don’t own a cat, using natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda is a great alternative if you’re worried about harsh chemicals. They work wonders for cleaning various surfaces around your home.
Don’t Fill Up Your Cat’s Food Bowl All the Way
Absolutely, overweight cats often result from overfeeding. Cats tend to eat whatever’s in their bowl, so filling it to the brim leads to overconsumption. Prevent obesity by avoiding overfilling their bowls and establishing a regular feeding schedule. This helps manage their weight and overall health.
Certainly, excessive weight in cats can cause various health problems. It’s crucial to ensure your furry friend stays happy and healthy for as long as possible by managing their weight and overall well-being.
Keep Your Cats Water And Food Bowls Separate
That’s right! Cats prefer their food and water separate. Placing their bowls apart is better since they don’t like eating next to their water or drinking close to their food. The scent can bother them, as Americat explains.
Absolutely, keeping food and water bowls apart prevents food from accidentally getting into the water bowl. It ensures that your cat’s water remains clean and appetizing for them.
Keep Some Lights On For Your Cat
Cats do see remarkably well in low light, utilizing 50% more light than humans. However, they don’t possess true night vision as commonly thought. It’s helpful to keep a faint light source for your cat at night, ensuring they’re comfortable without needing to illuminate the entire house.
Cats indeed have exceptional low-light vision, using more light than humans. However, they don’t possess true night vision as commonly believed. It’s helpful to keep a faint light source for your cat at night, ensuring they’re comfortable without the need to illuminate the entire house.
Use A Pheromone Diffuser To Alleviate Stress
Absolutely, cats release pheromones when stressed, especially in new environments. Using a pheromone diffuser that emits feline facial pheromones can ease their stress. Simply plug it into your wall, and it can help your cat relax and adjust to their new home more comfortably.
Exactly, these diffusers are odorless to humans and usually go unnoticed, but they work wonders in reducing your cat’s stress and helping them feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Milk Isn’t Good For Your Cat
That’s right! Contrary to common belief, most cats are lactose intolerant. Cow’s milk contains sugar that cats can’t handle, causing digestive issues. It’s best to skip offering cow’s milk to kittens or cats to avoid any potential discomfort.
Absolutely! A healthy diet and plenty of water are key for your cat’s well-being. If your cat really craves milk, specialized formulas for kittens and cats, available at pet stores, are a safer option compared to regular cow’s milk.
Cats (Usually) Land On Their Feet
Although it’s a fact that cats usually land on their feet, it’s crucial to monitor your cat to prevent risky jumps. While their knack for landing on their feet is generally reliable, it’s not foolproof. In instances where it fails, your cat could sustain significant injuries. Higher falls may even result in paralysis or severe harm. Thus, it’s important to be vigilant and avoid situations that could endanger your cat.
The remarkable ability of cats to land on their feet is attributed to a phenomenon known as the “righting reflex,” closely linked to their sense of balance. This extraordinary talent is truly deserving of an entire dedicated post to delve into its intricacies.
Pay Attention To Hair Balls To Monitor Health
Although it’s common for cats to occasionally expel hairballs, frequent occurrences might signal an underlying problem. Occasional hairballs aren’t alarming, but consistent gagging, coughing, or vomiting in your cat could indicate an issue requiring veterinary attention. Prioritizing your cat’s health is crucial, so if you observe persistent symptoms, it’s wise to consult a vet to ensure your cat’s well-being.
The natural evolution of most cats enables them to self-clean and efficiently digest ingested hair. Hence, constant coughing up of hairballs can indeed signify an issue, deviating from their usual ability to manage hair ingestion.
Make Your Cat A Window Basket
Here’s the ideal spot for your feline companion—a window basket that lets them lounge comfortably while indulging their curiosity by observing the world outside. Crafting one yourself is surprisingly simple. All it takes is a few brackets, plywood, a basket, and cushions. The beauty lies in its customization; you can easily alter the cushions and materials to complement your home’s aesthetic.
Mount the brackets beneath the window, affix the plywood atop them, then attach the basket securely. Once in place, fill it with cushions for your cat’s comfort. To enhance the design, consider adding rope to create the illusion of suspension, adding a whimsical touch to the perch.
Store Food In The Fridge So It Lasts Longer
Just like humans use a fridge to prolong the freshness of their food, the same applies to cat food, particularly wet cat food. Refrigerating cat food helps maintain its freshness, ensuring your cat receives high-quality food that contributes to their health. Yet, it’s essential to remember to take it out in advance of mealtime, as cats typically prefer their food at room temperature rather than cold. This practice encourages their appetite and ensures they enjoy their meal.
Exactly! Allowing the refrigerated cat food to sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving gives it ample time to reach a more comfortable room temperature. This simple step ensures your cat’s meal is warm enough or at a temperature they prefer, promoting their enjoyment of the food.
