How to understand your cat: tips to help you and your furry friend have the best possible relationshipBy Ridwan s February 13, 2022
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Do you have a cat, want to become one or just love looking at adorable cat pictures? Well this article is for you. Before you get your first cat, you may think there is nothing you can do. Cats are known for being independent and free-spirited. A little water, a few snacks and cuddles throughout the day should be enough. However, anyone who has a little furball at home knows they face some challenges. Compared to dogs, cats need less time and energy, but they still need to be kept busy to stay happy and out of trouble. To keep your cat entertained, you should pay attention to him and even spend time training him to have a healthy relationship with you. Effective training will help your cat learn the basics, such as where to put the litter box and where not to put it. In recent times, some cat owners have taken it to the next level by presenting their cats with a button pad to communicate with their owners. Commands can include food, litter, pets or even the name of their favorite toy that they can’t find. The time invested in raising a cat is never wasted. This article gives you tips and tricks to improve your relationship with your cat.
Invest in a scratching post
One of the problems cat owners can face is cats digging their claws into furniture and tearing up your new couch. Cats need an outlet to get their claws out. If you don’t want this to happen on your furniture, you’ll need to provide them with something they can tear up with their claws.
Cats dig into furniture to shorten their long claws, but they can learn to use the scratching post instead if they are trained. When buying a scratching post, consider choosing one in a shape you like, as it will become part of your décor.
After playing with a laser, give your cat a treat.
Games are more fun for everyone when there’s a reward at the end to keep the motivation going. Cats are natural hunters, so they can become irritated and agitated when they don’t have the opportunity to “chase” their prey. A laser pointer is a toy that helps you interact and spend time with your cat.
Just before you pack your laser pointer, you can reward your cat with their favorite treat. Also, if your cat is attacking you, try to redirect their attention to the laser instead. Reward the cat for its positive play to make it happier and more active.
Put A Box On Your Desk
Cats are adorable but may also become a distraction to you, especially if you are working remotely. They always want to be around you, so they may sit on your desk, keyboard, and any spot almost large enough to fit them. A way to prevent this is by giving them a designated area on your desk.
Cats enjoy sitting in open boxes, so the probability that your cats will prefer them to your keyboard is high. A large working desk allows you to get a large box that will keep your cats cozy and nearby. Now, you have the chance to finish your task without distractions.
Put Food On The Table For Cats That Eat Too Quickly
Some cats eat faster than others; those who eat very fast might get sick. If your cat vomits after eating, then this hack will be helpful. Change how you serve your cat’s food. If you use a shallow, it will slow down your cat and spend more time eating.
It takes more time to finish food served on a shallow plate than meals served on deep plates. Flat plates do not only increase the time your cats spend eating, but they also reduce whisker stress. Whisker stress happens when the cat’s whiskers rub up against the sides of the bowl
Feed Your Cats Away From Their Water
Water is crucial for humans, so water should be available to a person before, during, and after meals. However, the case is different for cats. Don’t keep water around your cats when they are eating. Cats are used to getting their water from a separate source than their food. They don’t enjoy smelling their food while they drink water.
Cats do not like it when their water and food are beside each other. They might believe that putting the water and food close to each other contaminates the water. You need to have different spots for food and water in the house or serve water long after they finish eating.
Feed Your Cat More Wet Foods
Cats need to stay hydrated and wet foods can provide this hydration for them. Dry foods make your cats more liable to issues like diabetes and dehydration. They might also have more carbohydrate content than is recommended for cats to stay healthy when eating dry food.
When planning your cat’s meal, you should include a variety of wet and dry foods. However, make sure there are more wet foods in the meal plan. Choose dry foods that have a lesser carbohydrate content and avoid grains. Pay close attention to the nutritional content of your cat’s meals.
Use Vinegar And Baking Soda To Clean Up Accidents
Cats are prone to causing various accidents around the house because they are high-spirited. They have a solid desire to spill and knock over most things within their reach. Just like labels say, “Store away from children,” we think that owners should keep things away from their cats.
Even though you will make an effort to store items away from the cat’s reach, you will no doubt occasionally run into trouble. For your cleanings, go for homemade and affordable products. A blend of white vinegar and water kills bacteria, while baking soda helps eliminate foul smells. Use the baking soda 30-60 minutes before vacuuming.
Place Aluminium Foil Or Masking Tape On A Surface To Keep Your Cat Away
Cats like to wander around, but some are more active than others. Your cat might enjoy playing more in your baby’s cot, bed, or on your kitchen table. It may be all cute until you need to continuously clean up dirt and hair on surfaces you have just cleaned.
If you are tired of re-cleaning, we have a hack for you. Get aluminum foil to cover the surfaces your cats like to play on. The sound of the foil will stop them from visiting these places. Another way is by masking tape with the sticky side up. Nobody wants to get caught in that.
Play With Your Cat Right Before Bedtime
Playful cats might disturb your peaceful night’s rest with their antics. To avoid sleepless nights, create time to play different games with your cat before bedtime. This tip serves two functions, it makes your cat happy and helps decrease your stress level after a long day.
The purpose of these games is to use up any excess energy your cat has left in them before bedtime. Ensure the games you choose are capable of making your cat pant from exhaustion. These games should also help you strengthen the bond between you and your cat.
Prevent Shedding With Frequent Brushing
Shedding is a natural thing for cats, but the frequency and rate of shedding differ in most cats. Every time your cat sheds their hair, you will likely find loads of hair in locations they often go. You will notice the hair mostly on clothes, beds, and furniture.
To take care of this problem, you need to clean regularly and find a way to minimize the shedding. Brush your cat’s fur as often as they shed. Make brushing a daily activity to reduce the amount of hair you find on clothes beds and carpets.
Have A Litter Box Per Cat, Plus One
A personal litter box for each cat is as important as the food and water bowl. Get a separate litter box for each of your cats, plus an extra one to avoid confusion. Put each litter box in a place that the cats are familiar with and train them to use it.
You might wonder why we would ask you to get an extra litter box. It will serve you whenever the original litter box gets full, or your cat can’t reach it. The additional litter box will reduce accidents and ensure that the house remains clean.
Get Clumping Litter
Whether you are a first-time cat owner or an experienced owner, cleaning the litter box can be less than ideal. Make sure to empty the litter box daily to prevent odor. You will need equipment to ensure your house remains odor-free for effective cleaning.
Litter that clumps together will make your cleaning effortless and less demanding. It points you to the parts that need extra cleaning and ensures you don’t leave out any spots. When litter clumps together, it is easy to know when all the nooks and crannies are clean.
Use A Pheromone Diffuser
Cats also experience stress, and when stressed, they release pheromones. Things that can subject your cats to stress include getting a new cat or a change of environment. Owners must find ways to reduce their cats’ stress levels to keep them healthy.
One way to help your cat reduce its stress is using a pheromone diffuser. If you want a healthy and happy cat, you need to help them maintain a reduced stress level. The diffuser produces vapors similar to the feline facial pheromones responsible for keeping cats relaxed.
Two Is Better Than One
Although cats look like they can get by on their own, they are loving and social animals. They act better when they have other pets that keep them company. Lonely cats are prone to stress, so get your cat a friend they can play with in your absence.
A busy cat is not likely to be destructive. Therefore, getting company for your cat will also prevent them from destroying your items. Consider getting a kitten when adopting a new friend for your matured cat. This way, the adult cat will train the kitten.
Teach Your Cat To Give Their Paw
Dogs are perceived to be faster at learning to give their paws once trained. However, if you train your cats, you will be surprised at how easy and fast they will learn too. The time you spend training your cat also helps you bond more with your pet.
No one says no to yummy treats, even your cats. Use yummy treats to entice your cats during their training. Hold yummy treats with a familiar aroma in between your palm. Entice your cat with this treat to train them to give their paws.
Keep Baby Wipes On Hand When Cleaning Up Cat Vomit
Just as humans puke when they are not feeling well, cats also vomit when in bad shape. Different things can make a cat vomit, like a diet change. Vomiting only becomes worrisome when it is persistent. Only then should you see a vet doctor.
For proper cleaning of the mess cats create from vomiting, you will need baby wipes. The wipes are for removing all dirt from hands and surfaces. Give your cat food in moderation and use shallow plates so your cats can eat their food slowly; this will prevent vomiting.
Make DIY T-Shirt Cat Toys
Toys are a perfect way to keep your cat engaged and stimulated. Get creative with your cat’s toys, use different home items to build various toys. It will save you from spending money on expensive toys. For your DIYs, you can make use of old T-shirts.
Use different color T-Shirts for their toys to entice your cat; bright colors are more appealing. Shred the t-shirts into pieces and tie them together to create a handy toy for your cat. If you don’t have worn-out T-shirts to use for the toy, you can ask your friends or hed to a second-hand shop.
DIY Hanging Window Basket Cat Perch
The saying, “as curious as a cat,” might explain why cats are always looking out to know what is happening. Get a window perch that your cat can sit in during the day to have a better view of the events going on around them. This will make sure that your cats are not bored.
Be creative with your DIY basket perch. Create one that suits the size of your cat and the colors of your home. Ensure the basket is comfortable for your cat by putting blankets in the basket to make it warm. Put the basket beside the window to give your cat a good view of the outside world.
Build a Catio for Your Cats
Catios are built for cats to enjoy the beautiful sights and smells of the outdoors. They are creative spaces made for your cats to relax and enjoy nature’s scenery. Cats who love staying indoors would also enjoy staying in a catio because it is a built-in from the security of their home.
Make sure the windows of your catio are transparent so that your cats will stay entertained. Put up the catio close to your house so you can keep an eye on your pets. Ensure you furnish the space to make sure your pet is comfortable and has fun in it.
Give Your Cat A Two-Syllable Name
It takes deliberate effort and creativity to derive fancy names for your children and pets. Go for short syllabic words instead of long phrases. We know you like calling your kitten Fluffy-Buffy-Bella-Baby, and maybe your cat responds even responds sometimes. However, we suggest you think of a shorter one.
You will notice that your cat will respond better to a shorter name; choose one or two syllabic names. Give priority to words ending with the “ee” sound. For example, instead of calling her Fluffy-Buffy-Bella-Baby, call her just Fluffy or Buffy – it will be easier for both of you.
Reduce Litter Box Odour Using Green Tea Or Baking Soda
Toilet training for cats is essential. You must ensure they don’t excrete waste in unwanted places like in corners of your home or on your clothes. After training, it is your responsibility to ensure that their litter box is always empty for them. Make sure you empty them as soon as they get filled.
You should know that litter can make your house smell awful if not adequately cleared out. To reduce the smell, you can drop baking soda or pieces of green tea leaves in the litter box. It will rectify the disturbing odor in the house.
Give Your Cat Some Climbing Space
Your cat might prefer climbing heights rather than staying on flat surfaces. To give room for your terrestrial furry friend, create spaces in your house for the cat to climb. Get items your cats can climb without spilling over or spoiling anything in your home.
Items like cat towers and shelves make sure that your domestic cats have something to keep them busy at all times. The climbing space allows your cats to use their excess energy to do something fun without distracting you. It will keep their brain stimulated and make them happy.
The Best Toys Are Simple Household Items
Highly active cats might use everything they see around like a toy to stay lively. Thankfully, they prefer simple items instead of fancy and expensive ones. So, your cat might appreciate playing with some of your household items more than the expensive toys.
Consider giving your cats items that you can easily find in your homes as toys. You will be surprised at how happy items like cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, and socks will make your cat’s day. Allow them to spend their excess energy tossing around these items.
Touch Their Paws
Although cats are affectionate animals sometimes, they can withdraw too. You might have noticed this while trying to trim or cover their claws. It might take a while because they keep retracting their paws. So, ensure you spend time with your cats to make them feel comfortable around you.
Once they are more comfortable around you, you should try to touch their paws in non-threatening circumstances. It will enable you to hold and play with their claws quickly whenever you need to. When your cat starts giving you its paws easily, it will trust you more and allow you to trim its claws without a fight.
Trim Your Cats Claws Or Get Them Caps
Cat’s claws are usually long because naturally, they are hunters. When cats have long nails, they can destroy your furniture and possibly injure your skin. Trimming your cat’s claws reduce its chances of damaging your furniture and any possible injuries to your skin.
Ensure you learn how to cut cat claws properly or get the help of a professional to do it. Another safer option to look into to reduce the risk of damage to your cat’s nails is claw covers. Getting different colored claw caps will make your cat feel like it gets to take a weekly trip to the spa.
Give Your Cat Running Water
Every creature needs water and can’t survive without an adequate water supply. Take your cat’s water needs as seriously as you take your own. Ensure you supply enough drinking water for your cats. Your cat will prefer a running water supply to a stagnant one because they can see the water source.
Therefore, instead of giving them water in a bowl, let them drink from a running source. Aside from ensuring that your cat drinks enough water, the running water would entice and distract it. Get a pet water fountain so the water will be running continuously without supervision.
Try To Vary Feeding Times
Habits are easy to develop once you abide by the routine strictly. Your cat already knows when and when not to expect food because they are used to the feeding schedule you’ve created. They know to only expect their meals in the morning and evening and has learnt to wait till then.
Specific eating patterns ensure your cats don’t harass you for food when it is not time. It also helps them get used to a healthy eating habit, specifically suitable for pets that overeat. However, you must never forget to give them their food when it is time.
Store Dry Food In A Cereal Container Or Plastic Jug
The way you store your cat’s meal is crucial. Protect the dry food from possible exposure to contaminations by storing them in tightly closed containers. You can use old cereal containers to store dry foods. Food contamination may cause health issues and digestion problems for your cat later.
