How to Keep Your Cat Happy
What are your pets’ basic needs?
You might instantly think of food, water, and shelter. You would be right of course, but did you know that pets have other needs that are often overlooked?
Stimulation
Just because cats are generally not as high-maintenance as dogs, this doesn’t mean that you can ignore them! Cats require attention, as well as physical and mental stimulation in order to be happy. Stimulation involves keeping your feline friend entertained, mimicking his or her natural environment, and allowing them to carry out their species-specific and natural behaviors.
How can you do this for your kitty? Keep reading to find the key to enriching your cat’s life and keeping your cat happy!
YOUR CAT NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION
Felines are solitary animals in general. As any cat parent will readily tell you, they do not completely rely on humans or other cats for survival.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can leave your cat alone indefinitely! Even if your cat behaves as if he or she doesn’t care for you or other cats, isolation is still detrimental to their well-being.
To keep your cat happy, make sure you spend time with them every single day and give them some love!
YOU CAN LEASH-TRAIN YOUR CAT
Did you know that cats can also benefit from regular walks?
Walks can be great sources of stimulation for your feline, both mentally and physically:
- They can provide some much-needed exercise.
- Your cat will be exposed to new sights, sounds, and smells.
- On walks, your cat can perform certain natural behaviors which he or she cannot do indoors (e.g. scratching).
Keep in mind that cats need to be leash-trained in a different way than dogs. Walking a cat will also be a different experience, with your cat taking the lead and you following, only stopping your cat to keep him or her out of danger or undesired locations.
Some cats also intensely dislike being walked or leash-trained. So, for a happy cat, do not try to force walks unless he or she enjoys the experience!
CATS NEED SPACE (A LOT OF IT)
Cats need physical and mental space to thrive.
This means that not only should they have a spacious living environment, but also should be left alone when they desire.
Your cat should be able to wander around your home (or another safe area) freely, with plenty of hiding spaces and “perches”.
A cat should also never be forced to interact with people, encroached upon, or teased. Your cat will make it well-known when he or she is expecting affection from you!
So, to have a happy cat, you actually need to leave them alone sometimes!
THEY ESPECIALLY NEED A “SAFE SPACE”
Make sure your home has a place for your cat to hide. Even though some cats are more sociable than others, all felines like to have a spot where they can feel safe but still keep an eye on their surroundings.
This space can take many forms. A semi-closed cat bed could work, or even an enclosed perch on a cat-tree. You can even make your own for them!
CATS HAVE PREDATORY INSTINCTS
Because cats domesticated themselves, their “wild” instincts are still intact. Unlike dogs, and no matter how well-fed they are, their predatory urges will lead them to hunt other animals.
For indoor/outdoor cats, this can cause a host of problems!
Not only will you receive special “gifts” consisting of dead or dying animals from your feline, but cats are such prolific hunters that they can cause other animal populations to decline!
For instance, did you know that your cute little fluffball is considered the number one threat to endangered birds?
This is precisely why it is a good idea to keep your cat indoors or in an enclosed area, where he or she cannot hunt wildlife.
But, back to our original point: This instinct will not suddenly vanish by keeping your cat indoors.
So, how are you supposed to accommodate your cat’s predatory urges?
Well, regular play sessions with toys your cat enjoys (as frequently as your cat needs them) will do the trick! Another solution is providing windows or safe spaces such as catios where they can see prey animals, but not access them.
PROVIDE THEM WITH A “SCRATCHER”
Building upon the previous point, every feline has a natural instinct to scratch.
This not only keeps their claws in check, but also serves as a territory marker.
So, how can you cater to your cat’s natural instinct without your precious pet destroying your furniture and textiles in the process?
The answer is simple. For a happy cat, provide an appealing alternative. You can buy a pre-made cat scratcher. These come in all shapes, sizes, and models. Making your own with certain materials is also possible.
Check out the cat scratchers we sell at Charity Shop, purrfect for keeping your cat happy and your furniture intact!
BUY OR MAKE YOUR OWN CAT TOY
There is a running joke among cat guardians that cats would rather play with a trash bag than an expensive store-bought toy!
While you should be very careful not to leave your cat unsupervised around plastic bags, the point is that you don’t have to spend a lot to keep your cat entertained.
You can choose to create your own cat toy depending on your cat’s taste. Certain toys may appeal to some cats but be rejected by others. Through trial and error, you can learn about your furry friend’s preferences!
Purchasing a cat toy may be worth it to you if you don’t mind the cost and do not have the energy or time to make a toy from scratch. At Charity Shop, we sell a number of cat toys well-suited to your feline’s natural instincts.
No matter which toy you choose, for a happy cat, make sure he or she is regularly played with depending on their energy level. This will fulfill their need for mental stimulation, hunting and physical exercise.
CATS CAN BE TRAINED TOO!
This can be another way to mentally stimulate your cat. Be warned, some cats enjoy it and readily respond to commands, while others do not!
Always back off if your cat seems to respond negatively to any stimulus. With that being said, most cats will be purrfectly fine learning “sit”, “stay”, and “come”.
Always use positive reinforcement training and never punish your cat for mistakes. Cats can also be very responsive to clickers.
GET CREATIVE WITH CAT TREATS
Of course, for all pets, treats should only be given sparingly. However, you can use them to help with training, or even create new games for your cat!
You can throw or slide them around for your cat to chase. Hiding them in different locations can also be exciting for your kitty. You could even design or purchase a toy and hide treats inside of it, encouraging your cat to play with it for longer.
Really, the only limit is your imagination!
Browse through Charity Shop’s selection of cat treats here.
PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY FULFILLED CATS ARE HAPPY CATS
It is clear that cats thrive when their basic needs are being met, along with adequate mental and physical stimulation. This includes respecting and catering to their natural and instinctive behaviors.
Have you learned anything new about your feline friend from this article? Will you try any of these tips? Consider stopping by our shop and purchasing a few items to help other animals in need and keep your cat happy!
Best regards,
The Charity Shop Team
