The 5 Main Tips for a Physically Fit and Joyful Cat
If you have a pet, you'll want to provide it with the best to remain healthy and happy. Keeping your cat indoors provides it with a safe environment, which reduces its chances of getting sick or injured. However, you should ensure that you find the right exercises and activities to keep your cat away from emotional and physical stress.
According to research, cats become ill when stressed and vice versa. Although your stay-at-home pet may not show signs of stress, you can tell from noticeable health problems. Check out how cats behave outdoors and create such an environment in your home. The following tips will help you make an outdoor experience in your home for your cat to remain happy, safe, and healthy.
1. Provide Your Cat with a Private Space
Cats love personal spaces, especially if they live in the same environment as others. Although some cats are social and friendly, most of them love independence. They love having private space to hide and feel safe. When cats compete for space, they end up having behavioral issues like pooping or urinating outside the litter container and destroying things by scratching, among others. It would be best to provide each cat with its litter box, playing and sleeping area, and feeding area.
2. Feed the Pet with Nutritious Diets and Enough Water
Wild cats may feed on almost 20 small meals each day. They get enough exercise during their hunting sprees while searching for food and drinking water. On the other hand, stay-at-home cats take in a lot of calories and may not exercise enough unless you lead them. Lack of sufficient and proper exercise causes pets to gain weight, increasing their risk of becoming diabetic.
The most preferred feed for stay-at-home pets is canned food. It provides them with enough protein and moisture that their body needs. Also, always avail clean water to your cat. Cats love drinking water from components with moving water such as fish tanks and fountains. Ensure that there are plants and grass in the compound because cats chew them for easier digestion. However, research the right plants for cats to prevent them from getting sick. Only buy non-toxic plants.
3. The Cat's Sleeping Area Should be Quiet and Comfortable
Cats love sleeping in a quiet and safe environment. Most of them don't like sharing sleeping spaces. They enjoy sleeping in comfortable baskets, boxes or curled up in a blanket. Cats also love their sleeping spaces placed in safe places and can watch the environment. Provide your cat with the best sleeping area possible. Since cats love having sleeping and waking cycles, provide your pet with several napping areas in your home to keep it happy.
4. Your Cat Should Get Enough Exercise
Place scratching posts at different points of your home to encourage the cat to exercise. You may have different-shaped posts made from different materials. It would be best to place the bars in areas that your cat frequently uses to get attracted by them. You may also put a scratching post on one of the cat's favorite sleeping areas.
Also, consider having several perches on different spots such as the windows to encourage the cat to jump and move during the day. That is because cats are curious and love watching the environment from an inconspicuous and safe spot. In addition, put the cat's feeding bowls in high places but can still reach easily. That, plus hiding pet treats in different parts of the home, encourages the cat to exercise as they look for the food.
5. Entertain the Cat with Games and Toys
Since pets get easily bored with having similar toys for a long time, consider changing the toys after every one or two weeks. Also, introduce your cat to interactive games such as hide and seek to keep it fit and happy and away from mischief. You should also train your pet to go outdoors for some fresh air as you supervise it. You may have outdoor enclosures where your cat can play and roam safely. Additionally, play some cool music for your cat or adopt another cat to prevent boredom. Take time introducing cats to each other and provide them with as much personal space as possible.
The Final Thoughts
As a pet owner, you should always find ways to make your cat comfortable and happy to remain emotionally and physically healthy at all times. Ensure to provide your stay-at-home cat with a private space, feed them nutritious meals, serve them clean water, provide it with a cozy and quiet sleeping area, ensure it exercises and keep it entertained, as explained above. With that, you'll be sure to have a healthy and happy cat.
