Playing with your cat is just one way to keep your cat healthy. Keep reading for healthy cat: top 10 ways to keep your cat healthy.
Our little fur babies have our hearts, and we always want to keep them safe. According to studies, cats can help us with our health, so shouldn’t we be helping them with theirs?
As a responsible cat owner, you want to make sure you know how to provide a good environment for a healthy cat. Continue reading this article, and you’ll learn the best ways to care for your cat so it can be happy and healthy.
- Help Kitty Out With Grooming
We all know that cats love to clean themselves. Since we always see them licking their fancy fur, we might not think they need any help with their grooming.
While cats do a good job of grooming themselves, we can lend them a hand from time to time. If your cat is very against getting baths, it won’t hurt you to leave them alone unless you notice their grooming is lacking.
If you do decide you need to groom kitty, only use warm water and shampoo that is formulated especially for cats. If you notice they have a lot of hairballs or extra hair, you can help your cat out by giving them a nice brushing every few days.
- Spay or Neuter Your Cat
If you feel bad about keeping your cat from having babies, don’t. There are thousands of cats without homes due to the fast procreation rate and resulting overpopulation of cats. When you spay or neuter your cat, you keep from contributing to the problem.
Even if your cat is a rescue cat, that isn’t going to do any good if you’re putting more cats out on the street. If you want more kittens or adult cats, there are plenty looking for a home at your local pet shelter.
- Reduce the Dry Kibble In the Diet
We know vets used to recommend dry kibble for your cat, but that was before these professionals learned more about cat anatomy. You should stop giving dry cat food to your cat if you currently do so.
This is because dry kibble has a lot of carbs in it, which could cause problems like obesity in your cat. It can also be a problem if your cat doesn’t like drinking out of its water bowl. If your cat is hooked on dry kibble, you might try scaling it down slowly until you can get your cat to a very low amount of dry kibble along with its new diet.
- Hydration
If your cat isn’t well-hydrated, this can cause serious problems just like it does with humans. This is why you should always have water out for your cats. However, this may not be enough, as some cats don’t drink water in the same way that dogs do.
That’s why it’s important to keep wet food as a part of your cat’s diet. It contains enough moisture to keep your cat hydrated and fed at the same time.
- Keep Your Cat’s Bathroom Clean
How many times have you given an establishment a low star rating purely off its bathroom? No one enjoys going to the bathroom in an unclean environment, and that is the same for cats.
Make sure to clean your cat’s litter box regularly, so you don’t have to deal with a cat that decides to go to the bathroom out of the box. Depending on the size of your home, you might also consider putting multiple litter boxes around the house. The best course of action truly is to keep your cat’s litter box on a consistent cleaning schedule.
If you aren’t diligent about litter box cleaning, you may want to look into an automatic litter box cleaner. These are a little on the pricey side, but they can save you a lot of time and trouble, and your cat is going to be much happier.
- Exercise or Play With Your Cat
Your cat needs to run out some energy. If you find that your cat is acting out, it is likely because they have too much energy that isn’t being used. Exercise your cat, and make sure they are getting plenty of playtime with you and their favorite toy.
If your cat doesn’t have toys or attention, you’ll find they may be frustrated, bored, and less enjoyable to be around. Scratching posts, pieces of yarn, laser light pointers, and similar toys are great options when you want to make sure your cat is active and happy.
It’s also getting more common to see cats on harnesses with leashes walking around. If you don’t want your cat to get away, but you know they love the outdoors, getting a harness and leash might be a good way to go.
- Visit the Vet Regularly
Don’t wait until something goes wrong to go to your vet. There are required shots that your pet must get, so make sure they are up to date. You should also ask your vet is there is anything they noticed that you might be able to improve upon with your pet’s care, like knots in their fur or signs of nutrition issues.
Be open and willing to learn, and don’t take offense at their recommendations. They are professionals and only want the best for your pet.
- Consider Supplements
Depending on the things you see your cat needs, you might consider getting supplements from companies like Innovet. Many pet owners find there are supplements that can help with their cat’s mood, mobility, and more.
Before giving a supplement to your pet, you should consider talking to your vet and asking them about their recommendations. While not all vets embrace non-traditional methods such as supplements, there are many that are embracing it fully.
- Give Your Cat Scratching Post Training
If your cat doesn’t get how to use its scratching post on its own, you need to train it. You don’t want your cat to use your furniture as its scratching pad. This can be a very frustrating and expensive habit for your cat.
You can encourage your cat to use the scratching post by taking their paw over the post. Gently put their nails on the scratching post area and let them get used to how it feels on their nails. Once they notice they are able to scratch the scratching post without getting in trouble, they are more likely to come back and give it another try.
If the cat isn’t showing any interest in the scratching post, try putting some catnip on the scratching post. Catnip might help with getting their attention, but don’t get discouraged if it takes them a little bit of time.
- Separate Litter, Food & Water
As we said earlier, cats aren’t big on drinking water. They simply don’t have the same urges that dogs have, but you can help your cat. If you put the food away from the water, your cat will be more likely to drink the water when it comes to it.
Cats also do not like to eat where they do their business. Make sure your cat’s food is far enough from its litter box that it isn’t going to run off somewhere else and leave you presents that you don’t want to receive.
Bonus Tip – Love on Your Kitty
Even though cats aren’t known to be as loving as dogs, they still need lots of attention. They are likely less welcoming to strangers, but you’ll find that they are fond of their owner giving them attention and love.
You might notice there are some forms of touch that your cat likes most. Maybe they are fond of being scratched behind the ears, but they don’t love being pet on their back. If you find that a cat doesn’t like being picked up or doesn’t like you touching its feet, find out what they do like.
Just like us humans, cats have ways they like to receive love, and no two cats are the same. Try out some things with your cat, and you’ll soon find their favorite forms of affection.
Here’s to a Happy & Healthy Cat
Now that you know how to make sure you’re the proud parent of a happy and healthy cat, why stop learning there? You can always learn more things that will help you be a better cat parent and person in general. Browse our articles, find your favorite section, drop a bookmark, and come back soon for more great reads.
