Keeping your cat happy and healthy while indoors doesn’t have to be a challenge. By providing your cat with an enriching environment that is conducive to his or her needs, you can keep your cat purring all year long.
Elimination
Whether yours is an indoor-only cat or gets to enjoy the best of both worlds, chances are good that he or she will be spending a considerable amount of time in the litter box, especially during the cold months ahead.
Providing an attractive litter box for your feline is important, especially if you want to avoid the very real possibility of your cat going about his or her “business” on your carpets, couch, closet, or bed.
Cats are fastidiously clean creatures, and most cats will avoid using a dirty or uncomfortable litter box in favor of a cleaner and more attractive environment.
Here are some tips for creating an inviting litter box for your cat:
- Keep the litter clean. Scoop litter daily and clean the box with soap and water weekly.
- Choose the right size box. Litter boxes should always be large enough for your cat to stand up and turn around in, on all fours.
- Find the right box. Many cats prefer large, open boxes with low sides, but yours might not. Experiment with a variety of boxes to see which your cat prefers and stick with that.
- Privacy please. Most cats prefer a box that is quiet and private, avoid areas where a surprise visitor may startle your cat.
- More than one. One litter box per cat, plus one extra is the golden rule when it comes to the ideal number of litter boxes for your cat.
Cat Conflicts
If you have more than one cat in your home, you may experience the occasional cat-versus-cat conflict. Depending on your cats and their daily demeanor this may be nothing more than raucous play, but should the situation escalate you may want to consider the root cause and take steps to address the problem.
Most cat conflicts are rooted in the competition of resources. Access to food, water, litter boxes, and “prime real estate” (sunny, safe, or favorite spots) are common points of contention in the multi-cat household. Monitor what triggers your cat’s behavior and take steps to mitigate the situation as quickly as possible.
Tips for reducing conflicts include:
- Maintaining separate spaces for each cat’s food and water
- Providing multiple litter boxes throughout the house
- Creating a variety of safe places for your cats to rest, perch, and play
If you have already made these changes and the problem persists, please contact your veterinarian, as there may be larger issues at play.
The Battle of the Bulge
Feline obesity is a very real issue for American pets, especially for those who spend all or most of their time indoors.
These tips should help reduce the chances of your pet becoming overweight:
- Portion control—Don’t keep your cat’s bowl full at all times. Instead, regulate the amount of food he or she gets each day.
- Keep treats to a minimum—Don’t let your cat pressure you into giving them more treats than necessary, one or two a day is plenty.
- Opportunities for play—Don’t let your cat spend all day sleeping in the sun. Engaging your kitty with a laser pointer or other toys will help tremendously with keeping your cat active.
- Cat trees—Many cats enjoy cat trees or other perches to frisk on. Not only will these areas give your cat a safe place to scratch (if they are not declawed), but they can also give your pet an environment in which to tap into their inner hunter.
Should you have any other questions about keeping your cat healthy and happy, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
