A month to celebrate those fabulous adorable felines who give us so much joy and fun. The CATalyst Council created the month to educate and spread awareness about the importance of providing for their health and happiness. The focus of this monthly theme is on the care, attention, and enrichment our cats need and deserve.
Tips for a Happy & Healthy Cat
- Make a veterinarian appointment to get a wellness check up and necessary prevention care. A healthy cat is a happy cat. Getting your cat to the vet is the first part of the visit. Help them experience their cat carrier as a safe and secure place by taking trips with your cat in their cat carrier before and after vet visits.
- Schedule regular play and cuddle times. Most cats are playful. They enjoy interacting with owners in a variety of games. Experimenting with buying new toys and rotating older toys on a regular basis keeps them “new” and helps keep their play times new and challenging. Cuddle times are important – some cats love affection. Some cats prefer less contact but still love being close to their people. Observe and honor your cat’s “cuddle” preferences.
- Encourage your cat’s natural tendencies. Providing a variety of scratching posts or cardboard scratchers in a variety of locations is essential to satisfy one of their most basic needs. Investing in a cat tower provides vertical space which offers a high place to view their kingdom. Look for one that includes a variety of safe hiding cubes or sleeping centers.
- Watch their diet. Switch them to high-quality food rich in protein. Cats are obligate or true carnivores and meat must be the primary ingredient. If your cat eats dry food only start adding canned food gradually. If possible change their diet to total wet food. Feline obesity is becoming a big problem for indoor domestic cats. Making your cat “work” for their food will help combat the obesity problem and also satisfy their primitive hunting instincts.