September is National Make Your Cat Happy Month!

by Linda Hall, Cat Behavior Expert

September is National Make Your Cat Happy Month! So, how do we make our cats happy? It’s not really difficult. We need to think about what cat’s do in nature to find ways to make them happier in our homes.

In nature, cats like to climb. They often feel safer up there and it’s a great place to sit up high and observe the world. How do we mimic this at home? Cat shelves are awesome! They do not have to be specifically made for cats as long as they will support the weight of your largest kitty and are attached firmly to the wall and any brackets so we know they won’t slip off. Cat trees are of course a very popular choice and my kitties love their trees!

Additionally, you can repurpose your furniture for a similar effect. I have a tall cupboard that I made the kitty cupboard. It holds my kitty food, litter and other supplies and on top it has a soft liner with two kitty beds on top for sleeping a little higher up. They love it!

A kitty has to scratch! I know how frustrating it is when your furniture gets scratched up so make sure you supply scratchers. Some cats prefer to scratch horizontally while others prefer a vertical scratcher. Get one of each and you will see the preference so you know which ones to purchase regularly. They have them with cardboard, sisal rope and so many other options. They range greatly in price so there is one to fit just about every budget. Make Your Cat Happy with this Frisco Nesting Scratcher. It does double-duty, providing multiple levels and orientations for scratching. It’s a bargain at only $10 on Chewy!

Here are two of my cats hanging out on some old kids’ room shelving that I had intended to give away. They love it so much that it has become a PURRfect place for the kitties to gather and snooze. I will paint it soon with a non-toxic paint, so it blends in with the colors in my home, and add some sisal rope for scratching. Rita loves this so much that she will be getting some soon for her cat clouder, and we will share the how-to and the finished product on our YouTube show, Let’s Talk Cats! These are under $25 on Amazon, and come in many colors: FURINNO Turn-N-Tube Display Rack, 3-Tier Single

Cats in nature go out and hunt! Of course you are feeding your kitty well so they don’t need to catch their food, but that instinct is still there. Supply cat toys and play with your kitty to help him satisfy that hunting urge and it will even boost his confidence and can help with some unwanted behaviors!

How about some new treats to make your cat happy? Perhaps these new treats from Made By Nacho! After you play or when your kitty does something you want to reward, it’s great to hand out a treat or two. We humans appreciate the occasional treat like getting dessert once in a while or the occasional cookie. Your kitty is no different. It’s a nice thing to make him extra happy and to let him know he’s doing a great job!

Keeping your cat happy will help avoid unwanted behaviors, such as spraying or peeing in unwanted places. Of course, a happy kitty is a loved kitty! We all need love! Take some time to pet, snuggle, or even brush your cat. It’s a great experience for both of you and can help with bonding. You will both be happier!

So, which one of these will you do this month to make your cat happy? Will you be finding more climbing places for your feline love? Will you pick up a new scratcher, toy or treat? Perhaps you will be focusing this month on extra love and play time! Whatever you invest in that furry love of yours, it will promote happiness in both of you and we should be working on that all year long!