Cat Owners, Don't Miss Out on These 19 Practical Tips for Your Furry Friend
In the realm of cat ownership, maintaining a happy and healthy feline companion requires a blend of regular grooming, providing proper enrichment, maintaining cleanliness, and addressing behavioral needs. Here are some practical tips and hacks to help you navigate this journey:
Nail Trimming
Regularly trimming your cat’s claws is essential to prevent overgrowth and potential damage, especially for senior cats that no longer wear them down naturally. Use proper cat nail trimmers and handle your cat gently to reduce stress.
Creating a DIY Scratching Post
Cats have an innate need to scratch, so providing them with appropriate scratching options is crucial. Use materials like sisal rope or corrugated cardboard, which are preferred by most cats. Place the scratching posts near furniture or spots your cat naturally scratches, in multiple rooms of your home to encourage use. Offer a variety of scratching options (vertical posts, horizontal pads) and make them sturdy. Use catnip or treats to attract your cat and place barriers or deterrents (sticky tape, foil) on areas you want them to avoid.
Using Appropriate Toys
Providing a range of toys stimulates your cat mentally and physically, reducing stress and boredom. Enrichment through toys encourages grooming and activity.
Dealing with Shedding
Brush your cat daily, especially long-haired breeds, to remove loose fur and promote healthy skin and coat. If your cat isn’t grooming well, assist by brushing and gently bathing them using pet-safe shampoo when tolerated.
Dealing with Cat Pee Odors
Maintain litter box hygiene by having one more box than the number of cats, using fine, unscented clumping litter, scooping daily, and cleaning weekly. Place litter boxes in quiet, accessible locations away from food and water dishes. Clean any soiled areas thoroughly and restrict your cat’s access to them; using barriers like aluminum foil or plastic sheets can help. To reduce marking behavior, create positive associations in affected areas with toys or catnip and help your cat feel secure in their territory by limiting stress (e.g., microchip cat flaps to keep out other cats).
Additional Tips
- Have a variety of toys to keep your cat interested.
- Consider using a cat litter box enclosure hidden inside a planter.
- Mix dry food with water to make 'kitty soup' to encourage hydration.
- Use a cleaner that eliminates pet odors without smelling like chemicals and resembling freshly squeezed oranges.
- Place toy blockades under appliances and furniture to prevent tiny toys from disappearing.
- Keep a cat's food, water, and litter box separate from each other.
- Provide a 'job' at the biscuit factory to keep your cat occupied and engaged.
- Understanding the 'yes' spots and the 'I'll grab your hand and kick it nonstop until you leave me alone' spots on a cat is helpful.
- Place a cardboard box on your desk to keep cats off your keyboard.
- The ChomChom is recommended for removing pet hair from furniture and other surfaces.
- Be cautious when giving cats human food, and ensure it's safe for them.
In the realm of pet care, beyond maintaining a cat's well-being, one must also consider a cat-friendly home-and-garden lifestyle. Treat your cat's space as an extending part of their habitat by creating appropriate scratching posts from materials like sisal rope or corrugated cardboard, and offer a variety of toys for mental and physical stimulation. Moreover, when incorporating pets into your lifestyle, do not forget the importance of dealing with cat pee odors by maintaining litter box hygiene, using cat-safe cleaning products, and limiting access to soiled areas.
