Cat Happiness 101: Things That Make Your Kitty Purr

Scratching

Cats have a huge natural instinct to scratch and claw. Giving them opportunities around the home to get their nails stuck into something won’t just make them happy, it’ll save your furniture too! Have a go with a few different scratch mats, posts and slopes and see which one your cat likes the most.

Privacy

Cats are private creatures in some ways, especially when it comes to certain resources. If your kitty is a part of a multi cat household, keep them at their happiest by ensuring you don’t just have one each of things like little trays, but ideally one extra left over too just in case of some furry turf wars.

Height

Modern cats hail from a long (very long) line of domestic felines dating back up to 12,000 years! Researchers have discovered that all domestic pet cats today share a common ancestor: an ancient African wildcat called Felis sylvestris lybica. This wildcat exists to this day, which is how we know so much about it.

As a predator, the African wildcat evolved to hide up high in the trees or hills to watch for approaching prey. As prey itself, the African wildcat evolved to take shelter in high places where larger predators couldn’t follow.

Making sure that you have somewhere in the house where they can perch up high makes a huge difference to how happy they feel. Just be sure the play structure you pick is sufficiently sturdy for your cat’s size and climbing habits.

Fresh Air

We realize the topic of indoors versus outdoors is one cat lovers will likely never fully see eye-to-eye on. Whatever you decide for your cat, something you can do is provide a safe way for your kitty to get some fresh air and sunshine!

One good option is to set up an enclosed catio so your cat can sit outside while still staying protected.

Exercise

Unfortunately, as our own waistlines continue to grow and expand, our pets now share our weight management problems. Offering your cat lots of exercise and playtime along with a veterinarian-approved daily caloric intake can make the difference between a healthy, long-lived cat and a cat with a reduced lifespan and lots of painful (and expensive) medication issues.

The simplest cat toys can turn a fat cat lean and lithe again. Even paper bags and cardboard boxes can be enough to encourage active play!

Hunting

It is true that your cat is a hunter, born and bred. Even if your particular kitty seems ideally suited to the couch potato life, the DNA doesn’t lie. Outside, your cat is likely to hunt out of instinct or fun, even if he isn’t particularly hungry.

You can also set up enriching hunts indoors using meal and treat puzzle toys to keep your cat engaged, hunting and happy!

Climbing

Many parents of human kiddos set up jungle gyms and tree forts so their children can climb and explore. And people aren’t even climbers by nature! Your cat IS a climber by nature – this is just one of those instinctive things cats do.

So if your kitty is climbing on off-limits items, setting up cat-specific climbing shelves can relocate your cat’s climbing activities quite effectively.

Perching

One really fun indoor enrichment activity your cat can enjoy every day is watching outdoor wildlife. This is just what do cats do anyway – they are genetically programmed to watch small, fast-moving objects, so any chance to do this is likely to be appreciated!

When you install a window perch, your cat can safely view birds, squirrels and other outside wildlife for hours at a time.

Company

Cats may not express their love and affection in quite the same way that pet dogs do, but this does not mean they don’t care about you, aren’t bonded to you and don’t get lonely when you are not around.

Plan to play with your cat daily to reinforce your bond, learn more about one another and simply enjoy each other’s company! Not only will playing with your cat reduce your stress level, but it will keep your cat happy and healthy too!

Food

Some cats are incredibly picky eaters, and many of our kitties change their minds seemingly at random about whether they love or hate the food you put in front of them. It’s a good idea to have a few quality options to try. Although my cat would love to only be offered tuna, he will put up with his branded cat foods most of the time!

Grooming

If your kitty has a short coat, your brushing and grooming duties may be less than if you have a bonafide furball on your hands! But in either case, you should get your cat used to being brushed and groomed very early on in your life together.

This will also provide you with a regular opportunity to check your cat all over, examine his skin, eyes, ears, teeth, claws, paw pads, tail, and body for signs of any trouble.

Interactions On Their Terms

Cats, like people, can have very specific preferences for how they want to be held, handled, petted and played with. You can find out what do cats like by petting your cat and watching how she responds, using that as your guide for future petting sessions.

And while you love your cat to the moon and beyond, not everyone who meets your cat will be a “cat person.” Some may need a lot of guidance for how to pet or play with your cat.

This can particularly hold true for children – your own or visiting kids. You can do a lot to make sure the interactions between your cat and others (including other family pets or visiting pets) are positive all around.

Love

No cat owner is perfect in caring for their kitty and you shouldn’t expect this of yourself. When mistakes happen, they are a chance to learn and do better in future.

What matters most is not being the perfect cat trainer or cat parent, but simply loving your cat every single day. Best of all, this is something you can do so well without any experience whatsoever!

What does your cat like?

Figuring out what do cats love will strengthen your bond with your kitty and also help you learn more about each other in deeply satisfying ways!

What does your cat like? Do you have a guaranteed recipe for a satisfied cat? Share your feel-good tips in the comments box below!