How can you keep your cat happy? 5 tips from a veterinarian to help your feline friend live their best life

Around a third of Australian households live with at least one cat, but research shows their needs are not being met.

Cats may rule the internet, but humans often misunderstand their behavior. Earlier this year, the Washington Post boldly proclaimed that cats aren’t assholes, they’re just misunderstood. This was fueled by research showing that cats are not antisocial, contrary to unhelpful stereotypes. They can and do form close bonds with humans.

The more we learn about cats, the more we realize that they are complex individuals with unique personalities, preferences, and the ability to learn.

From understanding cat language to keeping your cat safe and healthy, here are science-backed tips to improve the lives of the cats in your household.

1. Pay attention to your body language

Cats communicate with humans using body language and vocalizations. However, cats make meows to humans, and their meows change depending on the situation, but humans aren’t very good at deciphering their meows. But we can read cats’ body language.

For example, slow blinking may indicate a positive emotional state. A cat who is not happy (for example, does not want to be touched) may freeze, move away, flatten his ears, hiss, or, if he feels he has no other choice, scratch or bite. It may happen.

It is better to allow your cat to approach you according to his preferences rather than forcing social interaction. A cat approaching you with its tail up is giving a friendly signal, while a tail swaying from side to side indicates displeasure.

Cats should always have the option to opt out of any interaction, including being touched. If you’re not sure, just “Ask.” Please stop petting it. Even when they leave, they are reluctant. If they rub their heads against you, they want to continue the interaction.

2. Provide a healthy environment

The American Feline Medical Association and the International Feline Medical Association have agreed on five pillars of a healthy cat environment.

A safe space where the cat can escape if it gets scared. Ensure your cat has multiple independent key resources (food, water, litter box area, scratching area, play area, resting or sleeping area) to help your cat comfortably carry out daily activities. Opportunities for play and predatory behavior, such as games with cane toys that mimic hunting. Positive, consistent, and predictable human-cat interaction that respects the cat’s choices about whether and how the human-cat interacts. Respect the importance of your cat’s senses, avoid undesirable stimuli (strong smells or loud noises), and provide desirable sensory stimuli (e.g., using Actinidia or Actinidia).

These pillars provide a useful checklist. If you’re reading this and notice that your cat’s food and water are right next to the litter tray, improve your cat’s environment (and eating and litter box experience) by separating these resources now You can.

3. Clean the cat litter tray

While toileting can be an unpleasant chore for cat owners, the importance of a spacious litter box for cats cannot be overstated. Cats like to use a clean litter box, even if they are the only cat in the household.

Cats like to spend time in their trays before, during, and after using the litter box, and they generally prefer larger trays.

Poor litter hygiene carries the risk of urinary problems that can be life-threatening. A study of more than 12,000 cat owners in Australia found that households with fewer litter boxes per cat, less frequent removal of feces from trays, and those using crystal-type cat litter were more likely to have urinary tract problems. I found that the problem is more common.

If you decide to switch the type of cat litter you give, it’s best to do it slowly so your cat gets used to the change.

4. Read the room

Do you have more than one cat? Tension between domestic cats is common, but often overlooked because it doesn’t necessarily mean physical fighting. Signs of tension between cats may include staring at each other for too long or blocking the use of resources such as the litter box or cat door to prevent other cats from using them.

The American Feline Medical Association notes in its 2024 Feline Tension Guidelines that this can cause chronic fear, anxiety, and stress-related illnesses in cats.

Learning how to recognize and manage tension between domestic cats can improve the welfare of all involved.

When you love your cat, it’s tempting to add to your joy by adopting another cat. However, many cats prefer to be the only cat in the family and do not get along well with other cats. If you have positive interactions with familiar and trusted humans, you are less likely to be lonely.

5. Keep cats and other animals safe

Historically, domestic cats made a living by guarding grain bins from rodents. But what it means to own a cat responsibly has changed. Approximately 65% ​​of Australian cat owners keep their cats indoors at all times, and 24% keep their cats locked up at night.

The main reason for keeping cats indoors only is because they prey on wild animals. Another concern is the risks associated with wandering for cats, such as cat fights, infectious diseases (such as feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV), unfortunate events, and motor vehicle trauma. However, owners of cats kept entirely indoors were more likely to report “problem” behaviors.

Ideally, cats should not be allowed to roam unsupervised in areas where they could harm wildlife, even on the property where you live. More than a third of Australian councils now require cats to be housed overnight or 24 hours a day.

Access to the outdoors stimulates the senses with a variety of sights, sounds, and smells. As an alternative to free roaming, you can also provide access to a well-designed cat run, train your cat with a harness, and monitor your cat.

Cats that don’t leave the house except when moving or being taken to the vet will quickly learn to associate the cat carrier with traveling to unfamiliar environments. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that veterinary care is imminent when a carrier appears.

But that negative relationship can be changed. Cats who were given treats that rewarded them when they approached the cage, stepped inside it, or rested in the cage for six weeks experienced much less stress during veterinary visits.

Cats are smart and, contrary to popular opinion, can be trained. This process can be enriching for cats and humans alike. With patience and dedication, you can train your cat from a simple “sit” position to spontaneously entering a cat carrier.

In other words, give your cat options, respect her “felineness,” pay attention to her needs, and try to see our world from her perspective. Your cat will be happier that way.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.