We love our feline friends and want to make sure they know it – and not just through pets on the head and a scratch behind the ear. By catering your house and your habits to include what’s best for your cat, you can make sure that your cat feels happy and well cared for.

Playing with Cats

• Cats need exercise and playtime to stay happy and healthy. Mental stimulation through playing and exercise prevents them from getting bored and developing behavior problems, as well as keeping them, and you, entertained.
• As natural hunters, many cats’ favorite toys simulate a bird flying or a small animal scurrying, prompting your cat to chase. Buying or making a fishing pole-apparatus with feathers or streamers can provide your cat with hours of stimulation and is easy for you to play with while on the phone or watching TV.
• Giving your cat areas to jump to, climb on, and hide in will give your furry friend the ability to fake a hunt even while you’re gone during the day. Putting out a cat tree with a scratching post will also help alleviate your cat’s desire to scratch while also providing entertainment.

Grooming

• Keeping your cat’s nails short, by utilizing both a scratch post and regular clipping, helps to protect your floors, keep them from scratching skin and furniture, and prevent illness and behavior problems. While clipping and brushing your cat, opt for the “less is best” approach – grooming while your cat is asleep or already snuggling in your lap.
• Most cat’s nails should be trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks, and in order to prevent disease and behavioral issues, long- and medium- haired cats should be brushed daily while short-haired cats should be brushed weekly.

Litter Box Use

• If your cat is acting out, they may be marking their territory or unable to control discharges, resulting in irregular litter box usage. Talk to a veterinarian to rule out illness, then try adjusting the litter box situation to make it as nice as possible for your cat.
• To make your kitty as happy as possible and prevent outbursts of a foul degree, place the litter box away from loud appliances and active heaters but easy to find. Make sure all smells from earlier messes are completely cleaned up and gone, otherwise your cat may try and re-mark the area.

Pet-Proofing Your House

• Putting away electrical cords, medicines, trash, and other hazards is the best way to pet-proof your home. Securing small knick-knacks or any breakable item around your cats, or at the very least until your cat has learned not to mess with them, can help prevent damage to your home and your cat from getting injured.
• Every now and again, double check that all heating and air vents are closed and that hard to reach areas don’t have loose string or items your cat can choke on. And of course, be mindful when moving around the house so you don’t step on or squish a tail!

Cats are wonderful additions to homes and by taking special steps to make sure they’re happy, your house can be the perfect forever home for your new feline friend.