Make Your Cat a Happy Cat
September is National Make Your Cat Happy Month! So, how are we sure we’re making our cats happy? It’s easy, IF you think like a cat…
by Linda Hall, Cat Behavior Expert
Happy Cats Climb
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!
Happy Cats Scratch
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!
Happy Cats Have Feline Friends
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
Happy Cats Hunt
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!
Happy Cats Love Treats
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!
What Will Make Your Cat Happy?
So, which one of these will you do this month to ensure you have a happy cat? 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!
So, Is Your Cat Happy now? You bet he is!
Brittney Franklin says
I have 3 of these exquisite creatures-2 male, 1 female. They are spoiled rotten. They have a 8 foot tree, a 3 foot tree, and a 5 foot tree. They will NOT stay off of my counters or dining table. I’ve tried everything. What is the best way to train them. Now for one of my boys, I say “get down” and he hops on down. The other two, like to ignore me.
Rita Reimers says
Hi Brittney,
Cats love high places. That’s because out in nature, cats climb high to avoid predators, look for critters to hunt, and sometimes just to sleep. Indoor cats share the same affinity for high spots.
If you don’t have cat trees or other high places for them to perch, it would be a good idea to get some. It doesn’t even have to be an actual cat tree, just someplace high like shelving or the top of a dress will do. Put a bed on it, and spray with catnip to get their attention to it.
You’re doing the right thing with saying “get down.” We often talk about word association in our sessions.
If you need more help, we’re here to offer some guidance specific to your cats. Just a 30 minute session would do.
Purrs,
Rita