Respect Your Cat Day is March 28th. Of course, if you could ask your feline overlord how you may best show her respect, she would probably request enormous temples, statues, filled fishponds, and catnip gardens. While kitties may have persuaded many ancient peoples to go to such lengths, you really don’t have to go overboard. In fact, the best way for you to show your feline friend respect is to understand her unique needs and personality. In this article, a local Pipe Creek, TX veterinarian discusses how you can show your cat proper respect.
Offer Your Feline Pal Small Comforts
Cats are pretty easy to keep: they don’t need walks, baths, or training, and they spend the vast majority of their time sleeping and looking cute. Proper food, a clean litterbox, and regular medical treatment will take care of your kitty’s most essential needs.
However, it’s also crucial to make your pet’s environment enjoyable and comfortable. Simply giving your furry pal beds and scratching posts can go a long way. Your cat will also love a comfortable window seat with a good view. Cat towers are also fantastic, since they serve as vantage posts, nail care stations, and jungle gyms.
Don’t forget to give your cat the occasional empty box!
Visit Your Pipe Creek, TX Animal Clinic Regularly
We know, most of our feline patients would probably prefer to take a nap than come visit us. We understand! We know that the majority of cats are homebodies. They really aren’t fond of car rides, either. In fact, the travel to the clinic is sometimes more stressful for them than the actual appointments. However, adequate veterinary care is essential to your pet’s health and well-being.
We recommend that every cat be microchipped, spayed or neutered, and kept up to date on vaccinations and parasite control. Regular checkups and screenings are also crucial. Not only do these allow us to monitor your pet’s health, but they can sometimes reveal developing problems before symptoms arise. Ask your vet to recommend an appointment schedule.
At home, pay attention to your cute pet’s health and watch for potential signs of illness. Some of these symptoms include vomiting, fever, diarrhea, weight fluctuations, loss of appetite, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Keep an eye out for anything that seems out of the ordinary for your feline companion. Behavioral changes, such as aloofness from a normally cuddly kitty, can be signs that something is wrong. Call your vet immediately if you notice anything amiss.
Keep Your Furry Pal Inside
If given the opportunity, your kitty could have a problem with this one. Many cats enjoy going outside. To be fair, the exercise and stimulation that they get outdoors can be beneficial. However, once your companion ventures outside, she is vulnerable to a wide range of threats.
Here are some of the common ones:
Your cat could also potentially become lost, trapped, stolen, or even killed. This is not just hearsay: About eighteen percent of kitties go missing at least once in their lives.
Have Your Cat Fixed
If your feline companion hasn’t been fixed yet, we strongly advise you to set an appointment at your Pipe Creek, TX pet clinic as soon as possible. This will benefit both you and your cat. Your kitty will be safer, healthier, and less likely to exhibit behaviors like spraying and yowling.
It is also a way to help encourage good animal welfare. With millions of homeless cats in the world, it is only responsible to ensure that your pet does not contribute to the problem.
Play With Your Cat
Cats are really entertaining pets. They have a unique ability to make us giggle simply by being themselves. One of the reasons these little balls of fur are so enjoyable to have around is that they are so active and frisky.
Although your furry friend might look silly while chasing that paper ball or catnip mouse, it’s serious business for her. Kitties are both predators and prey in the wild. That makes for an intriguing combination of characteristics. They may be charming, spoiled, and, well, a little lethargic, but they are hunters at heart. Pouncing, jumping, and batting at your ankles as you walk by are all hunting techniques your cat would employ in the wild. It’s important to let your feline companion express her inner lioness! (Plus, it’s really adorable to watch.)
Give your little companion plenty of fun toys and spend a few minutes each day playing with her. This does not need to be time-consuming. Just leave a laser pointer or cat toy near your preferred lounging-around spots.
Playing has additional benefits as well. It’s fantastic for bonding and provides your pet with a safe, appropriate way to burn off excess energy.
Show Your Cat Affection
One of the many wonderful things about cats is the fact that they fit so well in our laps! Many kitties simply want to feel loved and safe. It’s always adorable how many of our feline friends immediately start their motors as soon as you pet them or pick them up.
Turns out, those cuddles benefit both of you. Here’s an interesting factoid: when you snuggle with your furry friend, you both release a particular hormone called oxytocin. This enforces feelings of love, safety, and happiness.
Nighttime cuddles are another possibility. Many cats enjoy cuddling up with their people at night. Of course, you aren’t obligated to let your kitty friend sleep in your bed with you. Your kitty can be perfectly healthy and content even if you don’t let her sleep in your room!
Is snoozing with your pet good for sleep? Well, that’s a toss-up. A purring cat curled up next to you can be really relaxing. A rambunctious kitty pouncing on your toes in the middle of the night. Not so much. (Tip: if your cat is playful at night, tire her out with a pleasant play session before bedtime.)
Provide Kitty-Friendly Facilities
Keep your furry friend’s powder room clean! Cats dislike unclean litter boxes, and who could blame them? We recommend scooping once a day and changing the litter every week or so.
A proper setup is also necessary. If you have more than one cat, you’ll need multiple litter boxes. Kitties do not like to share bathrooms!
Make sure the box is at a convenient location for your pet, away from drafts and direct sunlight. It should also provide some privacy.
Offer Good Food
Giving your feline companion nutritious food is the first step in providing good cat care. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but you should offer something appropriate for the age group. Ask your Pipe Creek, TX veterinarian for advice.
Take Adoption Seriously
When you adopt an animal, you agree to care for it for the rest of its life. Before adopting a cat, make sure you are committed to caring for her, no matter what.
Make Sure Your Pet Feels Loved
Finally, keep that motor going! Chat with your feline friend, pet her, and play with her. Our feline companions are actually quite emotional and can create strong ties with their owners. Pay close attention to your purring pal.
Do you have any queries about caring for your kitty companion? Contact us here at your Pipe Creek, TX pet hospital, today!
