Cats are known for being easy to keep. Fluffy spends plenty of time sleeping, which is both adorable and convenient for you. She will also clean herself, and does not require walks or training. Of course, your pet’s emotional needs also matter. To keep your pet happy, you’ll need to do more than just fill her food bowl and change her litter. Continue reading for advice from a local Springville, UT veterinarian on how to keep your feline buddy happy, healthy, and purring.
How Can I Keep My Indoor Cat Happy?
If you keep your cat indoors, you’re already on the right course. Of course, Fluffy may not see it that way. Cats are fairly adventurous, and they frequently like going outside and engaging in famous kitty pastimes like tearing up flowerbeds, leaving pawprints on your windshield, dropping dead mice on the porch, and, of course, refusing to return when called. That may all be fun for your feline friend, but it exposes her to a variety of hazards, including cars, weather, wildlife, parasites, pollutants, and more. Ultimately, your adorable pet will be considerably safer indoors.
Having said that, indoor cats receive less stimulation and exercise than those who are allowed to roam a bit. You’ll need to keep Fluffy active and occupied. Toys and playtime are obviously the gold standard here, but there are other options available.
High Spaces: Give your cat some vertical space. Kitties don’t get much of a view from ground level! Fluffy enjoys ascending to a higher vantage point to survey her domain and staff (that would be you). Cat towers are ideal for this, but you may also give your feline overlord kitty shelves or kitty steps. You can even go all out and install a catwalk.
Window Seat: Our feline friends enjoy looking out windows and spying on local wildlife, as well as soaking up the sun and daydreaming about being fearsome hunters. If you don’t provide a comfortable area for your pet voyeur, she may resort to crawling through your blinds. That can be really harmful. It will also destroy your blinds!
Purrniture: We discussed vertical space, but kitties also enjoy having something to snuggle up on, hide in, play with, and, of course, relax on. Fluffy isn’t particularly choosy about where she sleeps. She will enjoy and profit greatly from a decent bed, but she is also quite content to curl up on your lap or spread out on the coffee table.
Plants: Plants can help make your home appear snug and friendly, both to people and pets. Fluffy may also enjoy nibbling on specific flora, such as spider plants. Just stay with the safe options. A complete list is available on the ASPCA website here.
What Can I Do to Make My Cat Happy?
It’s easy to mock our feline overlords for being cold, aloof, and, well, a little too fond of slaughtering tiny mammals. However, at the end of the day, Fluffy is very emotional and needs affection to be truly happy.
We’ll start with the basics: proper nutrition, clean water, and a clean litterbox. Aside from that, the following items on the list would be entertainment and stimulation.
We should also stress the need for appropriate veterinary treatment. Fluffy won’t be happy if she’s sick or uncomfortable. Keeping up with wellness care helps prevent your feline companion from hazardous parasites and infections, while exams will allow you to track your adorable pet’s overall health. Healthy pets are happy pets!
Small actions can have a big impact. Small gestures, such as providing toys, food, and comfortable blankets, can stimulate your kitty companion’s activity. Taking time to play with your pet is essential for bonding and will undoubtedly earn you some points.
Another big one? Just talk to Fluffy! Your cute pet may not understand what you are saying, but she will recognize that you are paying attention to her. She might even talk back! Actually, some kitties are little chatterboxes, eager to tell their owners about the moth in the living room, the toy under the couch, or the squirrel in the yard. Others have very nothing to say. Either way, the sound of your voice will calm and comfort your pet.
How Do You Know If Your Cat Is Happy?
We’ll admit it: cats can be confusing.
Your cat’s body condition and language can tell you a lot. Every feline is unique. If your furry companion is typically grumpy, she may not want to sit on your lap or cuddle, but she may still follow you around or stick close to you. Curiosity is always a positive indication. And, while your veterinarian should be the ultimate authority on your pet’s physical state, you can get a sense of how Fluffy looks and acts overall.
Kitties can be more covert about expressing their discomfort, so you may need to look closer. Here are a few symptoms that a cat is sad or stressed:
- Overgrooming
- Undergrooming/Unkempt Fur
- Hiding
- Litterbox Woes
- Meowing more, less, or differently
- Overeating
- Withdrawal
- Refusing to eat
- Exhibiting grumpiness or aggression
- Clinginess
- Pacing
Keep in mind that all of these symptoms could indicate a medical problem, some of which could be very serious.
How Can You Make An Unhappy Cat Happy?
There is no one universal answer to this. Each cat is unique. A shy feline that has been thrown into a bustling family with multiple other pets may become overstimulated and would prefer a peaceful environment with one or two humans and no other pets. An outgoing kitty, on the other hand, may feel lonely if left alone for extended periods of time while her humans are at work.
Fluffy’s personality should also influence your feline decoration ideas. For example, if you have a shy cat, your pet may like a cat tower with enclosed areas. A cat wheel may appeal to a more daring, active feline.
A cat who has experienced hardship will also need to heal and may need extra time to feel safe. If you have a rescue, provide plenty of comfortable, snug areas, such as pet tents.
Schedule an appointment at your Springville, UT pet hospital
Do you have any queries concerning your cat’s health or care? Please contact us, your Springville, UT pet hospital, today. We are always willing to help!