How to Make My Cat Happy? 5 Easy Tips
So this ridiculously cute little thing is my cat, Taro. He’s a Ragdoll with fluffy furs and bluish eyes, always being sweet and tender. If you’re also keeping a cat, and you take it as your beloved friend, kid, or whatever you desire, then you must be eager to know how you can make your cat happy in most if not all of the time in a day. Although I don’t claim to be a master in this aspect, I’d like to share my own experience with other cat owners, especially the newbies.
Tip 1: Prepare toys that interest them most
Tip 2: Create a cozy home for your cat
Tip 3: Embrace your cat’s personality
Tip 4: Care for your cat’s health
Tip 5: Show enough patience and love
Extra Info: Coupon Codes & Promotions for Big Online Pet Stores!
Tip 1: Prepare toys that interest them most
Take note of the toys that can best tickle your cat’s fancy. As the tastes for toys vary from cat to cat, you should prepare a few different types of toys and wait for it to make its decision. As for my kitty (Taro), he loves plastic drinking straws most. Each time I use one to drink my beverage, he’ll dash towards me and stand upon his hind legs trying to reach the straw in my hand. It’s really hard to resist his big round eyes filled with hope when he looks up at me… Anyway, most cats would like to play with prey toys that they can stalk, ambush, or chase after (e.g., cat teaser, flutter bug). Personally, I advise you not to buy expensive toys (unless you don’t care about the price) because cats can be quite fickle when it comes to toys. But there’s one thing they will probably stick to forever – cat scratcher, so you should definitely have one at home.
Note: Keep an eye on your cat when it’s playing with toys that contain small items (such as beads) in case it accidentally swallows them.
If you’re into DIY, then you can look for videos that teach you how to make cat toys with your own hands. But if you don’t have the time or interest to do that, you can buy toys in online pet stores instead.
Tip 2: Create a cozy home for your cat
Pay more attention to the places where your cat may go and keep them tidy. For example, the room where your cat has its daily meals and the one where its litter tray is placed. Also, make sure you don’t put its bowl in close proximity to its litter box. If possible, place them separately in low-traffic areas with unobstructed views where your kitty can do its business and have meals without much interruption. As a hunter by nature, your cat would enjoy the places that allow it to spot any “danger” around easily and escape the threat as soon as possible.
Although cats are always good at finding a cozy place for themselves, you can still prepare things they may favor such as paper boxes, beds, etc. In my case, Taro’s favorite is a paper box – he likes to jump in and out of the box when playing. Sometimes he’ll try to hide in the box, glancing furtively upon us as if he’s planning an ambush. I suppose not many cats can resist the temptation of a paper box, so try it if you happen to have one at hand.
Tip 3: Embrace your cat’s personality
Just like humans, cats have their own personalities too. I’ve once heard that most Ragdoll cats love to follow people around and feel at ease to stay with them (not sure if that’s the truth), but obviously Taro prefers being alone. He rarely meows, never lies on my knees, and always turns his back on me when I try to kiss him or hold him in my arms. It kinda hurt me at first, but now I’ve already been used to those behaviors. After all, I love my kitty just because he’s unique to me and my family, not because he has the so-called “docile” or “dog-like” temperament.
I understand that most people would like to have an easy-going companion; notwithstanding, you should embrace your cat’s personality and show respect for it once you decide to raise the cat. Don’t try to keep it close to you when it needs privacy and quiet. Also, don’t force your kitty to greet your relatives and friends when they pay you a visit. Some cats (including Taro) are really shy and timid so they’ll hide away as they notice any strangers nearby. But they may become more friendly and less vigilant after getting familiar with the people around you.
Tip 4: Care for your cat’s health
It goes without saying that your cat will be happy with a strong and healthy body. Take your little one to the veterinarian on a regular basis (say, once a year) so that some potential feline diseases could be diagnosed and cured in their early stages. Although cats can be quite nervous when being taken to a vet, the positives of regular vet visits obviously outweigh the downsides.
There’re some other routines you can follow to keep your cat healthy, like grooming it regularly, brushing its teeth (which needs training indeed), and feeding it with nutritious food and supplements. If you’re not sure what sort of diets are considered recommendable, read some reliable guides about cat diets; to some extent, a healthy recipe helps prevent certain feline diseases such as overweight and urinary tract diseases.
One last thing – prepare enough litter boxes for your kitty and keep them clean. For large-sized cats, litter boxes should be able to contain their body, or they may feel rather uneasy while using the toilets.
Tip 5: Show enough patience and love
Unlike dogs, most people would think cats are much more independent and perhaps less loyal to their owners. Cats can stay calm even when they are left alone for some time; in contrast, dogs seem to be quite unhappy without their owners’ company. That said, it doesn’t mean cats won’t need your love and comfort. Try to scratch your cat’s chin or massage its body, then you may be able to hear a constant purr from its throat, which means it’s feeling relaxed, content, and comfortable. As I mentioned in Tip 3, cats have their own personalities so just leave them alone if they don’t want to be disturbed by others. Show some patience when your kitty has done something wrong and try not to beat them because improper punishment can make the situation worse off. There’re quite a few guides on how to discipline a cat and you can search for them online.
Extra Info: Coupon Codes & Promotions for Big Online Pet Stores!
The following are coupon codes and deals for some of the large online pet shops. Check them out and bookmark the coupon pages to make sure you won’t miss the daily-updated promotions!
1. Petco (based in the United States)
2. Zooplus (based in Germany)
3. Monster Pet Supplies (based in the UK)
4. My Pet Warehouse (based in Australia)
5. Allivet (Pet Pharmacy)
6. Sierra Pet Meds (Pet Pharmacy)
If you’re also interested in other money-saving offers, discounts, and promo codes, explore more at https://www.drivereasy.com/coupons/.
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