Easy Tips for Cat Owners to Increase Their Furry Friend’s Happiness

If you’ve spent more than half a minute around cats, you might have noticed that they behave differently than we do. Unfortunately, this can lead some to believe they are cold or distant and do not want to socialize. But, just like people, cats value companionship—they simply go about it differently and have specific needs. 

It may not seem obvious, but the depth of your pet’s food bowl can affect their eating experience. For instance, cats’ whiskers are highly sensitive, and constantly brushing against the sides of a deep food bowl can lead to discomfort and stress.

Some cats enjoy belly rubs, but for most, they are unpleasant experiences—especially if you’re what they consider a stranger. A cat’s belly is one of its most vulnerable spots, so petting a cat there can create a feeling of anxiety and of being exposed.

Cats are sneaky creatures—so it’s tempting to attach a bell to its collar so that you can know wherever it is at any moment. However, even if you attach the bell for humane reasons, such as to protect birds or small animals from its maw, you’re still hurting your cat by forcing a bell around its neck.

What’s in a name? Giving anything the right name can be a difficult task—be it pets, children, or even things like ships or bicycles. But did you know that cats prefer some names over others? When picking a name, try to go for something short with one or two syllables. 

It’s not just people who get bored by the same old food day after day. Cats also need to switch up what they eat—mainly between dry and wet foods. Even switching from wet to dry or vice-versa midweek can do wonders for your feline friend’s health.

Grooming is great for cats—it maintains their good hygiene but also helps to keep them calm and relaxed. While you can’t exactly teach your cats any new tricks, you can help them by laying grooming prompts and tools around the house, like this grooming brush.

Infamous for destroying furniture and cushions with their sharp claws, cats have a natural inclination to scratch. If you want a happy cat and a pristine home, buying a stitching post is paramount—this way, your cats will be able to satisfy their scratching urge. 

Yes, cats walk around with fur coats on their backs, but just like us, they get chilly easily, especially in winter. Cats have a normal temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so try to keep your home warm to at least 70°—otherwise, your cat will start seeking out sources of heat.

Most cats have a rather cool and relaxed demeanor—or at least, that’s how they tend to present themselves. Some cats are wired a little more tightly, and it can take a lot just to mellow them out. One thing you can do is lightly spray your cat’s fur with water. They will begin grooming themselves, which can help calm them down.

Some cats like it when people blow into their noses. It’s a trait specific to cats, and few people seem to know about it. For whatever reason, it helps to calm them down. However, other cats do not take as kindly to this love-blowing. 

Getting a cat to chase a laser spot can be endlessly entertaining for humans, but not so much for cats—especially if all that laser-hunting is fruitless. Just like dogs, cats need positive reinforcement for their efforts. While watching for us is fun, it takes up a lot of our cat’s energy. 

Put yourself in your cat’s furry little paws: your human might see you lying around all the time as if you didn’t have a care in the world—but from your perspective, there’s no food to hunt inside the house, and it’s not always possible to get outside where there are critters to catch.

Being generally clean animals, cats take to litter boxes just fine on their own. But some cats might need a little coaxing to use it. They might find doing their business there undignified, inconvenient, or uncomfortable. But there’s a way to help them ease into it.

Do you feel like you want to do something nice for your cat but don’t have a lot of living space? No problem! If you have the skills (and even if you don’t, why not learn?), you can build a simple climbing frame for your cat! 

Do your cats think they’re living in a jungle? Do you come home wondering who dug out all the soil from your precious plants? There’s a way to prevent your cat from raking up all the dirt in your pot and moving it onto your carpet—just make the top of the soil uncomfortable for cats to walk on.

Get down, keyboard cat! Although they probably think they’re helping (or not), having a cat run over your laptop can be annoying if you work from home. There’s a great way to prevent your cat from running amok that isn’t locking your cat outside—which we know won’t work anyway. 

Owning one cat can be hard enough, but two cats, especially territorial ones, can be hectic. One of the primary reasons that cats fight is over space and territory. You can help ease the tension by providing them with wall shelves. 

Clipping your cat’s nails can be about as dangerous as jumping headfirst into a knives and scissors factory assembly line—but it doesn’t have to be. To make this job a little easier, try touching your cat’s paws once in a while to get them used to the sensation.

Hairballs can be a tell-tale sign that something is wrong with your kitty. Cats naturally produce them, so seeing a few is nothing to worry about. However, constant gagging, throwing up, or even coughing indicates that a visit to the vet is in order.

While we know that the water poured into a bowl from a tap or bottle is fresh, cats won’t tell the difference between the stuff we put in their bowls and stagnant pond water. They just won’t trust still water. Make sure they have peace of mind while drinking by getting them a fountain.

Everyone knows that cats and water mix as well as mud and toast. However, some owners consider bathtime a necessary evil for their cats. However, all those painful scratches and sour looks might have been for nothing as cats don’t need bathing, even infrequently.

This one’s for all those cats out there with owners who don’t have to taste all the stale food they give their pets! Like anything else that can go off, cat food should be stored in an air-tight container—otherwise, it will turn stale. Even animals will turn their nose up at food of this quality.

As with all these tips, it’s important to remember that a few one-off weird noises might not mean very much. However, if your cat is constantly yammering or producing odd sounds that cats shouldn’t usually make, it’s best to get them checked out at the vet. 

This is more of a quality-of-life tip for a cat owner than a cat. Then again, a happy owner is good for everyone—especially their cat, right? The smell of a well-used litter box isn’t the most pleasant thing to live with, especially if it’s been a little while since it got freshened up.

Accidents are bound to happen, especially when cats are involved. Since their noses and immune systems are so sensitive, try using natural ingredients when dealing with any mishaps around the house. Doing so might also save you money!

Pets are still animals, despite their domestication. As such, they are constantly in survival mode. If they see food, no matter how full they may be, they will try to eat it. When putting food in your cat’s bowl, it is important to get their portions right.

Here’s another one that’s both good for you and your cat. A kitty with energy left over at the end of the day is likely to give you a hard time when you’re trying to catch a good night’s rest by making a noise in the house. Worse, if they can get into your room, they might start climbing on your face in boredom.

Putting your cat’s water next to its food seems like an obvious choice—people like their drink next to their food. But for a cat, unlike dogs, who don’t mind, there’s nothing worse. The scent of the water puts them off their food and vice versa. 

Cats are wonderful to have around, but they do put a lot of allergens, hair, dust, and odor into the air. Remember to regularly change your air filters in your home to help deal with them, especially if you have allergies. Changing out the filter will also prevent your cat from getting allergies, too.

Contrary to popular belief, cats can’t actually see in total darkness. They can utilize 50% more than humans, making them better at dealing with the dark. But, seeing as cats are often nocturnal creatures and like to walk about at night, consider leaving a small light on for them to use.