We love our cat. We care about him and do everything we can to make him happy. But if it is the first time that we live with one, it may we're not doing some things quite right, which is completely normal.
This incredible feline has a very special character, which has nothing to do with what the dog has, so getting to know it takes time. However, below I will explain how to improve the cat's environment, giving you many tips so that both he and you have a very pleasant coexistence.
What does my cat like?
When we want to improve our friend's environment, we have to ask ourselves this question to know what we have to do from now on. We can watch documentaries about domestic felines and we can get an idea of the general tastes that they have, but not of our own cat.
Each of them is unique and unrepeatable. Each cat has its own personality, its own needs and its own tastes, so there is no other choice but to spend some time getting to know him, to observe it. Only then can we know how to improve their environment.
To learn what he really likes, look at his body language (tail flick, ears, pupils), in which places you prefer to rest and at what times you look for interactionIn kittens, early socialization before the 4 months makes it easier for them to better accept people, everyday noises and household routines. It prevents punishment; it creates stress and worsens the relationship. Reinforce what interests you with rewards, caresses, and a soft voice.
Keep in mind that their instincts They are still active: they need to climb, hide, observe from above, chase “prey” and mark with their clawsAn environment designed to meet these needs reduces anxiety and prevents unwanted behaviors such as scratching furniture or biting.
Put the feeder and drinker in a quiet place
The cat likes to eat quietly, in an area as far as possible from where the family lives. The noise we make on a daily basis, such as when we go to pick up the garbage, when we start the washing machine or when we wash the dishes, can make you feel quite uncomfortable to the point that you may end up eating too fast.
To avoid it, we must place your feeder and drinker in a quiet room, as can be the bedroom, and always as far as possible from the sandbox, since otherwise it is most likely that he will not eat.
Also, take care of the containers: the wide and round plates ceramics or steel help prevent whisker fatigue; many cats are bothered by whisker fatigue. whiskers touch the edges. Arrange several water points around the house, renew the contents daily and value a source (They are attracted to moving water and it promotes hydration.) Place the water away from food and the litter box to respect their hygiene instinct.
As for food, many cats prefer to do 15-16 small shots a day. You can divide the portions, use interactive dining rooms or hide small portions to stimulate their search for food. Avoid sudden changes in diet; if you need to make them, make a transition progressive diet over several days to prevent digestive disorders. If you have any nutritional concerns (weight, age, pathologies), consult your veterinarian.
Give him a comfortable resting place
As we know, this furry can spend many hours sleeping (between 16 and 18h if he is an adult, more if he is young). During all that time, you will need to be, not only in a bed that is as comfortable as possible, but also in a room where you can rest easy.
From here, I would like to recommend that you leave it sleep in your bedroom since these are rooms that are usually only entered when cleaning or when going to sleep, so that the furry one can sleep for hours without being disturbed.
If you don't want me to sleep in your bed, buy him one for him in a pet store. There are many models: cave type, carpet type, with cushion ... Choose the one (or the ones) that you like the most and teach your cat from the first day where it should sleep, gently picking it up, placing it on it and giving it prizes.
Distribute several rest points: soft surfaces at ground level, caves for privacy and places high where you can feel safe. The radiator hammocks and padded shelves are a plus in cold weather. Place beds in quiet corners, away from appliances and walkways. Keep a routine textile cleaning to reduce strong odors that may be uncomfortable.
Improves visual and mental stimulation
If we take into account that he can live up to 20 years and that he will most likely never go outside, both visual and mental stimulation is very important for him to be healthy and happy. Thus, whenever we can, it is highly advisable improve access to shelves, shelves or hammocks next to windows so that you can see the street, putting of course wire mesh (grid) to prevent it from escaping or getting hurt.
In addition, it is convenient that at home we make some changes to keep it entertained, putting shelves at different heights for example with cat treats so you have to go up if you want to catch them; buying him one or more scrapers for him to play and, incidentally, sharpen his nails on them and / or giving him an interactive toy that we will find for sale in animal products stores.
Add three-dimensional structure: shelves, catwalks, “Tibetan bridges”, connected hiding places and mats non-slip on the platforms. Start with heights moderate and increases to avoid falls. The windows and balconies must have tights safety measures to prevent accidents (“parachutist” syndrome).
Introduce cognitive enrichment: ball pits, maze toys, food puzzles, and prize hiding places. Practice rotation of toys every few days to maintain novelty and reduce habituation. Toys that simulate prey (feathers, rods, cloth “mice”) activate their hunting instinct.
Use his toys to keep him happy
Sometimes it happens that we buy toys for our friend thinking that he will play alone, but the reality is that he will only play with them if we play with himIf we make the mistake of believing he'll have a good time alone, we'll end up with a bored cat who'll do nothing but eat, drink, and sleep. Therefore, it's essential to buy toys that we know we'll use to make our friend happy. He deserves it, and we'll have a great time .
Some cats need 15-20 minutes of active play to release energy. Alternate styles: chasing with cane, chasing balls in flight, ambush tunnels or hidden tapes between cushions that "snake". Avoid using hands or feet as prey to prevent learned bites and scratches. End each session with a “victory” (lets the prey be captured) and offers a small reward to complete the hunting cycle.
Toys with catnip or matatabi can increase motivation in some cats. Observe their preferences and adapts the type of game: some cats like to jump and others prefer to stalk. Also include sessions of training, and friendly (target, “sit,” “come”) with rewards; stimulates their mind and improves the bond.
Check toys regularly and renew them when they are broken, have loose parts, or have lost their appeal. A good practice is to have a “drawer” of toys and take out 3-5 different ones each day, keeping the previous ones to maintain the novelty.
Adapt your home to your disabled or troubled cat
If the cat has a disability or if it has joint problems, it is essential that the home in which it lives is adapted to its needs. So, if for example you have pain in your pawsYour bed should be orthopedic so you can rest better, and your feeder and drinker should be close to where you sleep so you don't have to walk a lot.
In the event that it is blindIt is advisable to give him a type of food, either feed or natural, that smells a lot, since his sense of smell will have it even more developed and will be guided by it. We will put the drinker right next to your feeder so that in this way you only have to tilt your head a little.
For cats with arthritis or reduced mobility adds ramps, steps and non-slip mats. The litter box must have low edge (4-5 cm) or front entrance, and placed near their resting areas. In cats deaf, communicates with visual signals or gentle touches; for blind people, avoids moving furniture and creates olfactory clues with pheromones or soft scents among key resources.
Design “short routes" between bed, water, food and litter box. Slightly elevate the feeder to reduce neck discomfort. If you are overweight, prioritize puzzle of food and low-intensity hunting games to safely increase caloric expenditure.
Protect your cat from wires
From experience I can tell you that the cat, especially if it is young, loves to nibble on everything it finds, including the mobile charger cable, the headphone cable, the landline phone cable, the Internet cable, ... in short, any type of cable. There are some that are not dangerous if you break them, but you have to be very careful with those that are connected to the electrical network as you could be electrocuted.
So if you're going to leave him alone, even if it's just a couple of hours, put the cables right behind the furniture, and glue these as close to the wall as possible so that they are not seen. Another option is cover them with cardboard or tape and spray them once wrapped with repellent for cats.
It includes covers cable protectors, organize ropes and bags with handles, and store threads or tapes to avoid ingestion. Check Washers and dryers before using them; their curiosity leads them to get inside. Keep out of reach cleaning and check that there is no room at home toxic plants (lilies, pothos, ficus, hydrangeas, among others). In windows and balconies, install strong nets. If you have access to the outside, carry microchip and visible identification on a secure collar.
Love it and respect it
It is the last advice I give you, but the most important. It's the basics. Loving and respecting a cat It's essential for a pleasant life together for everyone. We must show him plenty of affection and trust every day, so he'll feel how much we care. But be careful not to overwhelm him. Just as we set limits to prevent him from hurting himself, he also sets his own limits when he doesn't want us to continue petting him.
encourages Routines Predictable schedules: playtime, mealtimes, and rest time. If there are changes (construction, moving, visitors), introduce them in a timely manner. progressive and values diffusers of pheromones to facilitate adaptation. If you are going to be away for a few days, it is usually better for the cat to remain in its territorio with someone who visits you, clean the litter box and replenish food and water, instead of moving it.
Learn to recognize signs of discomfort: decreased play, changes in appetite, litter box use, excessive grooming, isolation, or aggression. Many health and stress problems manifest first with behavioral disturbances; in the event of any noticeable change, consult.
Take care of the litter box and its hygiene
The litter box is a critical resource. Choose one. wide, preferably capless and with a low edge if a senior cat lives with it. arena ideal is usually agglomerating, medium grain, without perfume and little dust. Place it in a place quiet, away from food and water. As a rule, install number of cats + 1 litter boxes, spread around the house, and remove waste at least twice daily. Thoroughly clean the tray with mild soap and water on a regular basis.
If you live in a large house or with several floors, distribute the resources (food, water, rest, litter boxes, scratching posts) in different areas. In very young kittens, it is useful to keep everything in the same room initially so that you have it at hand and, later, separate it to avoid conflicts between resources.
Offers scratching posts and three-dimensional space
Scratching performs essential functions: marked visual and olfactory, maintenance of nails and stretching muscular. Provides scratching vertical (sisal, cardboard) and also horizontal or inclined. Place them where your cat happens, near their rest areas and on transit routes such as hallways or next to the entrance door. Ensure your stability so that they do not move or fall; if they wobble, he will repel them.
Complement with trees that include platforms at different heights and cave-like shelters. Place them near windows safe; observing the outside reduces boredom. If you're just starting out, offer a lower scratching post and gradually increase the height until you're over 1,5 m when you are comfortable climbing.
Sensory, social, nutritional and cognitive enrichment
– Sensory: alternating odors pleasant (catnip, matatabi), sounds soft (nature, calming music) and visual stimuli such as views of the outdoors. Avoid noise intense or continuous. It offers a variety of textures (carpets, plush, cardboard).
– Social: passes quality time with him every day, respect his initiative to have contact and his breaks. If several cats live together, offer duplicate resources and escape zones to prevent conflicts. Introductions between cats should be gradual, with exchange of smells before eye contact.
– Food: uses puzzle, sniffing mats and treat hiding places. This channels energy in a way positive and reduces food cravings. Combine dry food with rations of damp according to your need.
– Cognitive: incorporates toys problem-solving and small sessions of training with positive reinforcement. Change the challenges periodically to maintain their interest.
Common mistakes to avoid
– Stimulus overload: too many objects or continuous changes can to stress. Introduce new features in a way gradual and observe their reaction.
– Not respecting your space: Cats need time alone. Provide refuge and don't force interaction.
– Lack of variety or customization: not all cats enjoy the same things. Adjust toys, heights and pace of play to their preferences and age.
– Forget the to maximise security and your enjoyment.Cables, toxic plants, unscreened windows, and cleaning products should be monitored. Periodically check the house with a "cat's eye."
With small adjustments, attention to their natural needs and a good dose of affection, your feline will enjoy a Safety, stimulating and tailored to your needs. You will notice improvements in your health, their behavior and the bond that unites you day after day.
