There is a longtime running joke that cats are actually masters of their owners and not the other way around. This statement can be true to a certain extent but cats still need your help to live a long, rich, healthy and happy life. You want your cat to live as long and as comfortable as they can and there are four surprising easy ways to make your cat healthier that you can start doing today.
Litter Box Place
A litter box is an important item for any cat lover to have. It is not only a place for your cat to go do their business but it is also a place for your cat to have their own space. A litter box should be cleaned regularly. This gives you a chance to check on their feces and urine to see if there are any changes. Doing this can be one of the ways to keep an eye on your cat’s health and if something is irregular i.e. the amount of urine, the smell and the color of the feces then your cat may not be as healthy as they should be, and should be taken to the vet.
Another good idea with a litter box is keeping it in a quiet, well-lit and easy to reach the place. If it is hard for them to get to the litter box (or the place is dark and spooky) then they will just take their business elsewhere in the house which you will not want. You should also replace the litter every week after you give the box a good clean. While the litter box is their own little space, do not put their toys and bowls by it. Like you do not want to have dinner in the bathroom, your cat is the same way.
Toys and Play Time
Cats come from a long line of hunters and toys are a great way for them to keep their natural born skills intact. Playing with them with a piece of string, a laser (just avoid everyone’s eyes), toys etc. is a great way to keep them entertained, fit, and happy. You would not want your cat to get bored since boredom could lead to cat feline obesity or stress- associated diseases. Therefore, make time for your cat to play.
Food and Water
Food and clean, fresh water are the natural life fuels for all living creatures including cats and they love fresh water to have access to throughout the day. However, cats can over-eat so it is best to only give them as much as they need. Ask your vet how much that would be and what the best food to get them. Cats should only have two meals per day with about eight to 12 hours apart from each other. Another thing to keep in mind is that you could give them a few snacks (just not too many) but not from your plate since certain human food does not work well with cats and can make them get sick.
Collars, Hair and Claws
A lot of cats like to go exploring outside the house and this could the main reason for a high number of lost and found cats in the city so make sure that they either have a collar with their name, address, and your number on them at all time. The sooner they get used to this the safer they should be. Another option would be having a microchip on them.
Brushing your cat often is something they would enjoy and it decreases hairballs and keeps them clean. Declawing your cat should be a last resort since this is quite painfully them and they may need their claws for protection. Therefore, having some scratching posts around the house is a great way for your cats to stay away from your future while their claws are out.
A cat can be your best friend who you need to care for, check on and entertain. So keep your eye on them and make sure that they are happy so that you may be as well.