5 easy ways to ensure you have a happy and healthy cat

There’s no joy that comes close to being a cat parent. Those little paws take over your heart and soul almost instantly, and with each passing day, you’ll come to understand why the Ancient Egyptians worshipped their cats.

      
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With the help of our resident cat people, we’ve come up with 5 simple things you can do to keep your feline’s catitude at bay 😉

Set up the purrfect environment 

To keep your felines comfortable indoors, ensure there are enough places for them to hide and curl up. In fact, cats are all about the bird’s eye view and like being up high to watch the world go by.

A water bowl, food bowl and litter box kept in separate spaces would be ideal for your furry housemate. It's best practice to clean out the litter box a couple of times each week and brownie points if you scoop it at least once a day!

And while house plants are great for your well-being, they might not be the best for your kitty’s health. Check out this helpful list of toxic house plants which are an absolute no-no for a cat household! 

Keep them mentally and physically stimulated

Contrary to the opinion that cats just like to nap ~ cats also love to play… and star in your home videos, of course. Doing things like stalking, chasing, and pouncing can be both mentally and physically stimulating for your feline.

Toys and activities: Regularly swap around their toys to avoid boredom - each time you get an old one out of the box, they’ll think it’s something new and shiny and will find a love for it again. Alternatively, spray the toys with catnip for them to re-engage. More than anything else, cats love playing with their humans! Learn your cat’s preferred style of play and find the best toys and activities to match as this strengthens the bond between you and your cat. In fact, something as simple as a fun game of hide ‘n’ seek will keep them entertained for a while!

Keep their mind working: Other fun ways to keep your cat mentally stimulated easily includes getting them to watch some Cat TV, and using interactive feeders or treat toy dispensers. Hiding their food around the house encourages them to use their cat senses and can motivate them to work for their food.

Stick to a routine: Keeping to the same routine, such as the same feeding, napping or playing time, helps cats feel safe and secure.

Scratching: Let ‘em scratch away to glory! Scratching helps cats spread their scent, making them feel comfortable in their environment and is also a great way to keep their claws healthy and help them stretch out their muscles for peak body conditioning. To reduce the risk of damage to your furniture, try a variety of horizontal and vertical scratching posts in different locations and with different surfaces until you’ve established your cat’s preferences. Tall, stable scratching posts are great and allow your cat to enjoy a full-body stretch. Be sure to promote continued use of the scratching post by providing encouraging words, pats, chin scratches, and ALL OF THE treats when your cat does use make use of it, so your cat will always associate this with a positive, happy experience!

Get regular health check-ups

Keeping your cat's vaccinations up-to-date and regular check-ups at the vet are a must to ensure they’re physically healthy. Consider pet insurance to help you keep your cat happy and healthy without breaking the bank. 

Create an outdoor area

If cats have a comfortable environment and mental and physical enrichment, they can happily chill indoors without needing to venture out into the world. If you want to expand your cat’s environment, you can secure off an outdoor area linked to the indoors, allowing them to choose where they spend their time. Or consider lead and harness training, which is also an easy, fun option while not compromising the safety of your cat.

Get them a friend!

Do you know why the musical is called “cats” and not “cat”? Because all mischief demands a muse. Being the social creatures that they are, some cats tend to be happier if they have another feline companion around to play with. Be sure to make this a slow and considered introduction so that they have the time and space they need to form a bond. In fact, here are some helpful tips on how to introduce your cat to other pets! If you think you’re ready to find your cat a friend, then start your search on PetRescue today!

Bringing home a cat for the first time? Check out our ultimate guide for first-time cat guardians.

And take a look at this list of essentials for bringing a rescue cat home.