Many people think that, due to their more independent nature, cats do not need many things to be happy. Mistake! Probably all those people who have lived, or live, with a feline know how much they need from us, although sometimes it may not seem like it.
Do you think that offering him water, food and a home is enough? Nothing is further from reality! Cats need much more to be truly happy. If you love your feline unconditionally and consider it part of your family, surely you have wondered how to make your cat happy. Therefore, on our site we have prepared this article with our tips to make a cat happy, keep reading!
Proper nutrition is key to your well-being
Just like us and all other animals, cats need to be well nourished to feel good. A diet adequate to the nutritional needs of the feline is essential to prevent common diseases in this species.
Although it seems obvious, it is important to remember that if you opt for a commercial feed, you must choose a good quality feed. There are numerous scientific studies that prove that a good diet improves the general condition of the cat, the quality of the hair, the skin, etc. However, many are those who think that quality products have too high a cost and opt for less beneficial foods. If you can afford a better product, what could be better than investing in your best friend's he alth? In addition, considering the cost of veterinary visits, in the long term it is possible to save much more if a better feed is selected. However, with this we do not mean that the most expensive feeds are the best on the market, because there are also cheaper products that can be considered of good quality. In this way, what should be done is to review the ingredients of the feed and compare the composition of several to choose the one that best suits the needs of the feline. Check our selection of the best natural feed for cats.
On the other hand, remember that it is also important to adjust the amount of daily food to the cat's specifications. One of the main problems in these animals is obesity due to sedentary lifestyle or overfeeding.
Fresh, clean water, always
To end this point, don't forget that the key to preventing kidney disease is water. Therefore, providing the animal with fresh, clean water at all times is essential not only to make it happy, but also to ensure its good he alth.
The ideal is to distribute several bowls of water around the home, since cats are also usually animals with a tendency to drink little. Likewise, some cats are so peculiar that they refuse to drink from their bowl, preferring direct water from the tap. For them, it is recommended to buy a water fountain for cats, since this way you will get your best friend to consume this important liquid without climbing through the kitchen.
Use pheromones to enhance your calmness
Cats naturally produce pheromones for different purposes. These pheromones are secreted through special glands or through other fluids such as urine. They emit certain signals to other cats or to themselves that vary depending on the type of pheromones. For example, we find sexual pheromones for reproductive purposes and appeasing pheromones, which help keep the animal calm and tranquil.
Cats mark their territory by rubbing against objects to leave these pheromones and indicate that this place is safe for them. Currently, we find synthetic appeasing pheromones on the market that we and other species of animals cannot perceive any type of signal or smell, but our cat can, so they manage to balance their environment and help them stay calm once captured.
Therefore, another way to make your cat happy is by using synthetic pheromones such as FELIWAY Optimum Diffuser, which is a version Improved version of the popular pheromone diffuser because it contains a new generation of feline pheromones with greater efficacy. In this way, by detecting them, the cat manages to stay much calmer and more serene. In addition, it has been shown that the use of these pheromones favors the bond with their human companions and other pets at home because it allows the animal to be more confident and secure.
The new FELIWAY diffuser also helps calm the cat in a greater number of situations and reduces stress more effectively. It is an excellent ally if we have to make a move or any change in the home or in our routine that could disturb the well-being of the feline.
Do you want to know if your cat is really happy by your side? Take the FELIWAY test to find out if your cat is happy and find out!
Don't neglect your cat's he alth
Another piece of advice to make your cat happy that, at first glance, seems obvious is this: regular visits to the vet are essentialto prevent and detect the presence of diseases in time.
In addition to taking the animal to its scheduled visits, it is recommended to follow the vaccination and deworming schedule stipulated by the specialist. In this sense, avoid deworming the animal on your own with products for this purpose. Why do we say this? Many are the companions of cats who choose to deworm the animal with products designed for dogs, because they believe that they work for both species. The truth is that not all. In fact, some of the products made exclusively for dogs are highly toxic to cats. Likewise, we do not recommend self-medicating the animal without the prior consent of the specialist.
Neuter the cat, yes or no?
Of course, this is a decision that each cat companion must take taking into account multiple factors, such as the economic cost, the character of the animal, the sex, their lifestyle… Despite Therefore, on our site we recommend taking this option into account, not only to avoid unwanted pregnancies, but also for all the advantages that this surgery offers. For example, in cats it reduces the probability of suffering from breast cancer by 95%.
Hygiene is the most important thing for cats
You have probably already noticed the number of hours your cat spends licking itself. Cleanliness plays a fundamental role in the life of every feline, and without it you cannot feel really happy. Cats can't stand dirt on their fur or in their environment, so a disorganized home, lack of personal hygiene, neglect of their litter box, etc., seriously disturb their well-being.
Focusing on the litter box, it should be cleaned dailyA dirty litter box can lead the animal not to use it, resulting in urinating or defecating in any other corner of the house. To better understand this behavior, consider the following situation: if you go to the bathroom and it's dirty, you flush the toilet or you clean it, right? The cat can't do it, but it also hopes to find its bathroom in perfect condition.
Regarding the animal's own hygiene, it is recommended to brush it daily to remove dead fur and thus prevent the formation of hairballs in the stomach.
Respect and know your cat
Cats have different personalities. Thus, there are more sociable cats and others more solitary that, for example, hide when people come. That way, you shouldn't force your feline to do something he doesn't want, especially when he's scared. Respecting their space and privacy is essential to making your cat happy.
Some cats don't want to be picked up, for example, so why do it? The more you force your cat, the less he will want to stay by your side, since he will begin to associate you with negative stimuli. Cats have an excellent memory, both for the good and the bad!
After all of the above, it is essential to detect what your cat likes and what he doesn't, to enhance everything that he likes and avoid what he doesn't like. Some cats love petting, while others are content to knead their humans. With time, patience and observationyou will get to know your furry friend's character, what he likes and, most importantly, gain his trust
Learn to understand feline language
Cats have a specific body language that they use to communicate with each other and with humans. Unfortunately, we still don't know how to speak like them and, for this reason, it is so important to know how to interpret this language.
To do this, we recommend you consult our article on the body language of cats, in which we explain all the details related to feline communication. And, as in any relationship, communication is the basis for achieving mutual trust and making your cat happy.
If you want to know more about your cat's body language, don't miss the Feliway Feline Body Language test!
Increases environmental enrichment
Environmental enrichment is very important to ensure your cat's psychological well-being. In other words, if your cat lives in a flat or apartment, he needs to have toys that stimulate him physically and mentally.
Cats, hunters by nature, need to be able to express this natural behavior and instinct through play. To do this, it is not necessary to invest a large amount of money, since you can make your cat happy by making homemade toys or playing games at home that keep it entertained. You do not know how? Don't miss these articles!
- 10 games to entertain your cat
- Homemade toys for cats
Choose the right cat litter and box
Most people think that it is enough to put out a box and litter, without thinking about how important it is to choose the right type of each product. Cats are selective animals, with tastes and preferences, so it is essential to select products that they like to get them to use them.
Does your cat relieve itself outside the litter box? Maybe you don't like it! Unfortunately, there is no specific box that is better than another, since, we repeat, each cat is a worldWhat is universal is that the litter box should be twice as large as the animal so that the cat can move freely and not feel uncomfortable. Thus, to make your cat happy, we advise you to try several types of boxes until you find the right one for him.
Regarding the choice of the type of litter for cats, practically the same thing happens as with the litter box. However, in general, felines tend to prefer finer-grained litters, so if you don't know where to start, this may be a good option.
Adapt the number of boxes to the number of cats
Do you live with more than one feline? If so, did you know that the ideal would be to have more than one box? According to feline behavior experts, it's a good idea to have one litter box per cat, plus an extra. That way, if you live with two cats, you should have three litter boxes.
Cats are territorial animals, very neat and possessive of their belongings, so sharing something as important to them as their bathroom may mean not using it and even starting a war with your partner. For more information, don't miss our article "Can two cats use the same litter box?".
Use positive reinforcement
Cats can be polite too! Positive reinforcement is the ideal method to guide your feline to have certain behaviors and even to train it and teach it some tricks, such as sitting on command. This method of feline training consists of rewarding the animal with treats or affection every time it acts as we want it to do, or has a positive behavior. In this way, the animal r associates the action or attitude with something good and tends to repeat it to receive its prize again. Little by little, you will have to remove the treats to make room only for caresses or words.
On the other hand, especially for those active and curious felines, training is a good way to make your cat happy, because that with it you can keep your mind well stimulated. Likewise, through education and positive reinforcement, the bond between the two is improved and the psychological well-being of the animal is contributed.
Don't skimp on love
Many cats are independent animals, yes, but they all require love, care, affection and attention from their human companions. Thus, pamper your cat a lot whenever it has positive attitudes and don't ignore it when it looks for you It is a very sensitive animal, observant and with a good memory, so that an inappropriate attitude on your part will not go unnoticed and will cause the relationship between you to cool down, since the animal will end up distancing itself.
Sometimes we are so busy with our problems that we inadvertently neglect the most basic needs of our animals and even underestimate them when they try to demand our love. Most cats, unlike dogs, won't be looking for you all the time, but when they do, it's because they really need to.
