These Hacks Will Make You A Better Cat Owner
Any cat owner will probably tell you that there's nothing they want more than a happy kitty. But cats are notoriously finicky, neurotic, and just plain odd, so it's often tough to know how to please them.
Fortunately, some knowledge of cat behavior, along with some cooperation between you and your furbaby, will make you the best cat owner you can possibly be.
They don't like deep bowls
The depth of a pet's food bowl is usually not something most people consider when shopping for bowls. However, it turns out this should probably be one of the most important factors to keep in mind.
That’s because deep food bowls can actually irritate cats quite a lot. A cat’s whiskers are sensitive, and if they are constantly brushing against the sides of a bowl while eating, it is not a pleasant experience for them.
Don't go straight for the belly
Your cat might allow you to rub its belly, and if it does, that usually means it trusts you quite a bit. However, most cats actually do not enjoy belly rubs, especially from people they are not familiar with, since that area is one of the most vulnerable parts of their body.
Because of this, it is generally best to avoid trying belly rubs on new cats you meet, at least until they have built up trust with you.
Bell collars can be bothersome
A small bell attached to your cat's collar can help you keep track of where your pet is, even when you cannot see them directly. It can also give other animals, such as birds or mice, a better chance to avoid becoming prey for your cat.
However, there are downsides as well. Cats have very sensitive hearing, and the constant ringing of a bell can be irritating for them. After all, most people would likely find it annoying too if they had to walk around all day with a bell hanging from their neck.
Cats get cold too
Cats may be small, fluffy animals, but that does not mean they can handle cold weather easily. In reality, they are fairly sensitive to low temperatures, so it is best not to leave them outside overnight during the winter months.
A cat's normal body temperature is around 100–102°F, and many veterinarians recommend keeping indoor temperatures at about 70°F or higher to help ensure they stay warm and comfortable.
Try a calming treat
While most cats are fairly calm compared to many other pets, that is not always true in every case. Fortunately, if your cat tends to be a bit high-strung, there are some simple steps you can take to help keep your companion more relaxed.
One option is to try giving your cat a lollipop-style treat. These can usually be found at pet stores and are designed to stick easily to hard surfaces like walls.
Here's how to get them to know their name
Naming can be difficult, and that applies to almost anything, whether it is a cat or even a child. While it is common to give a cat a longer name that may sound cute, it is best to keep your cat's name to one or two syllables.
The longer the name, the harder it can be for your cat to recognize when you are actually trying to call them.
Alternate wet and dry food
While many pet owners feed their cats or dogs only one type of food, usually dry food, this is not always ideal for their health. Instead, it is often better to vary a pet's diet by changing things up from time to time.
For example, giving them dry food for part of the week and wet food for the rest can help ensure they receive all the nutrients they need.
Brushing is important
It might seem like it would be difficult to teach your cat to brush itself, since they do not have thumbs. However, it is actually fairly simple in practice. Cats are naturally frequent groomers, and if you attach a cat brush to a wall, you can expect your pet to naturally rub against it.
This can help keep them both content and entertained when they are feeling bored.
Get a scratching post
Cats are fairly well known for scratching up couches and pillows with their claws. It is simply part of their natural instinct to scratch things, so the sooner you provide a scratching post, the better. This gives your cat a proper outlet to direct that behavior in a more appropriate way.
When the scratching post eventually becomes worn out, you can try repairing it by wrapping it in twine or yarn to extend its usefulness.
Don't blow at or near their face
Unlike many dogs, some cats actually appear to enjoy having air gently blown toward their face. For certain cats, it seems to have a calming effect and can help settle them down.
However, for other cats it has the opposite reaction, and if you are not careful, you may quickly get a face full of claws. Because of this, it is best to be very cautious if you try blowing into your cat's face to calm them.
If you're playing, reward them
While rewarding dogs for completing tasks is fairly common, not all cat owners use the same approach. However, giving rewards to your cat can be an effective way to reinforce positive behaviors. This is especially true when you are playing with a laser pointer.
Cats are naturally inclined to chase prey, but if they chase and chase without ever catching anything, it can become somewhat frustrating for them.
Stick to a schedule
Cats may seem like they do not have a care in the world most of the time, but even a cat can start to feel uneasy if mealtime comes and there is no food in its bowl. In fact, it is generally a good idea for any animal, including humans, to follow a consistent routine.
The same applies to your cat, which will usually be calmer and more relaxed when it is fed at the same time each day.
How to solve litter woes
Most cats are perfectly comfortable using a litter box and typically do not require much training at all. However, in rare cases, some cats may find the litter box inconvenient or uncomfortable and may try to avoid it.
Fortunately, there is a fairly simple way to address this. You can try adding some fabric or sand to the litter box to make it feel more comfortable for your cat to step into.
Give them space to climb
This tip is especially useful if you do not have a lot of space in your home. Essentially, you can give your cat more room to explore by adding things like shelves and small staircases so they have extra areas to move around and stretch their legs.
All that running, climbing, and exploring can also help your cat burn off energy if they tend to be more playful.
Keep your houseplants safe
This is only really a concern if you have houseplants. Sometimes cats will damage plant leaves or dig soil out of pots. To prevent this, you can add natural materials such as dried leaves, flowers, or pine cones.
In general, cats tend not to like the texture of these items and will avoid the plants in your home. Placing marbles in the pot is another effective option.
Distract them from keyboards
If you have a cat and work from home, you know how annoying it can be when your cat walks across your laptop. It may seem like there is no effective way to deal with this, but there is a simple trick you can use to keep them entertained and away from your keyboard.
All you need is a box and a desk large enough to hold it. Place an open box on your desk, and it may turn out to be more interesting to your cat than your laptop, since cats seem to really enjoy sitting in boxes for reasons that are not entirely clear.
Get over the grudge
Cats can sometimes be quite territorial, so if you have more than one cat, it is important to make sure they each have enough space to move around and play away from each other. If they do not, it can sometimes lead to fights.
One way to help with this is by adding shelves where they can relax on their own. If another cat tries to jump up and disturb them, they can easily be pushed back down.
Touch their paws, make trimming easier
It can sometimes be difficult to get cats to cooperate, such as when you need them to extend their claws for trimming. However, there is a way to help them become more comfortable with having their paws handled.
You can gently try to touch or hold their paws whenever the opportunity arises. This is not to say you should constantly bother them by grabbing their paws, but rather aim to make paw touching a normal, regular habit.
Give them some variety
We cover this somewhat in another section, but that focuses more specifically on dry and wet food. It is also very important to vary the types of meals you give your cat overall. You would not want to eat the same meal every day without getting bored, and your cat is no different.
In addition, feeding them the same meals repeatedly every day can potentially lead to health issues later on.
Try a fountain rather than a water dish
Here is another tip that not many people are aware of, and it relates to your cat's water bowl. Cats often do not prefer stagnant water and tend to be more attracted to running water instead.
You do not need to install a full fountain outside in your yard, however. Instead, you can buy a small cat water fountain at most pet stores. Not only may cats drink more from fountains, but it can also help keep them entertained.
Baths may not be necessary
You do not even need to be a cat owner to know that cats tend to hate taking baths. However, it turns out that if you bathe your cat regularly, all of those scratches and long struggles trying to get them into the tub may not be necessary.
Cats are generally very good at grooming themselves, which is one reason their tongues are so rough in the first place.
Put dry food in airtight containers
This one seems like a no-brainer in hindsight, but it is not something many people think about. It is much better to store your cat's food in a container, such as a plastic cereal container, rather than leaving it in the original bag.
That is because dry cat food can go stale fairly quickly, and nobody, not even cats, enjoys eating stale food. Over time, eating stale food may also contribute to health issues.
Pay attention to their noises
Before getting into this one, it is important to note that sometimes when your cat makes a strange noise, it really is just a strange noise. However, there are also times when unusual vocalizations can indicate an underlying health issue.
According to PetMD, these kinds of odd sounds can be linked to a range of different medical problems, so it is important to pay attention if your cat is acting especially unusual.
Use green tea to mask smells
One of the best things about having a cat is that you do not usually have to worry about them going to the bathroom on your floor or carpet. Simply provide a litter box and their natural instincts will take over. However, you still need to empty it regularly, and it can start to smell unpleasant, especially if you leave it too long between cleanings.
Fortunately, there is a fairly simple and natural solution. You can add dry green tea to your cat's litter box, which may help reduce any unpleasant odors that would otherwise spread around your room or home.
Baking soda is incredible
No matter what you do, accidents are bound to happen when you have a cat or any pet, for that matter. Because of this, you may want to consider using a natural cleaner instead of one with harsh chemicals. Baking soda and vinegar are both good options. You can mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle to help eliminate bacteria, then add a bit of baking soda to help lift stains and odors.
In fact, you do not even need to be a cat owner to use this method. If you are concerned about the chemicals in stronger cleaning products, it can be used to clean a wide range of surfaces.
Apply portion control
If you have ever seen a very overweight cat, it is likely due to them being overfed. Cats will generally eat whatever food is placed in their bowl, so if you fill it to the top, they will usually eat it all.
To help prevent obesity, avoid overfilling your cat's bowl at every meal. It is also important to maintain a consistent feeding schedule.
Play with them before bed
This tip is not only for your cat but also for you. If your cat still has energy after you go to bed, it may end up moving around and disturbing your sleep. Because of this, it is often a good idea to schedule a play session before bedtime.
This can help the two of you bond, and it may also help you relieve some stress.
Keep water and food separate
Most people place their pet's food and water bowls right beside each other, but it turns out this may not be the best setup. Cats often do not like eating directly next to their water source, and they also prefer not to drink right beside their food.
Your little "diva" tends to prefer them separated, since the scent can actually put them off, according to Americat.
Pay attention to air filters
While having a cat in your home can be a real joy, they often come with some added maintenance, such as odors, allergens, hair, and dust. Because of this, it is important to regularly check and replace the air filters in your home.
Doing so can help reduce allergy issues for both you and your cat, and it can also keep your home smelling fresher. Air filters are usually easy to find at most home supply stores.
They might want more light
It might seem like your cat can see extremely well in the dark, and in some ways they can. Cats are able to use about 50% more light than humans, but they do not have true night vision as some people assume.
Because of this, it is a good idea to leave a small amount of light on for your cat at night, even if it is just a dim light source. You do not need to keep every light in the house turned on.
