Pet basics: How to make a cat happy

Are you a prospective cat owner wondering how to make a cat happy? While all cats are different in personality and characteristics, they all have certain preferences and needs in common. If you’re in need of ideas for keeping your kitty happy, here are some of the most important things for cat owners to focus on:

Catify your home

Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy coined the term “catifying,” which translates into creating an environment in which indoor cats feel comfortable and can grow in. One of the key concepts in catifying a space is to provide plenty of places for them to climb, perch and play off the ground. 

Provide safe outside environments

Keep an indoor cat active by allowing them safe, supervised playtime outdoors. You can do this in a variety of ways, including using a leash and harness or by constructing a “catio” at home. 

Have plenty of scratching surfaces

Scratching is an instinct a cat develops to stretch its muscles and hone their claws. Providing your cat with plenty of satisfying surfaces to scratch will keep them comfortable and help you avoid furniture or carpet damage. Try both horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces to determine which your cat prefers.

Give them a view

There are few things a house cat loves more than lounging in a window sill. Watching the outside world provides countless hours of entertainment for cats, and the warm sunlight can be the perfect napping spot. If your window sills are too narrow, try placing cat trees or other furniture up against the window for your cat to perch.

Grow cat grass for them to nibble on

While cats are carnivores, they eat plenty of grass in the wild. Cat grass is something you can easily grow at home to provide your kitty with much-needed vitamins and extra help with digestion. Not to be confused with lawn grass, cat grass is a mixture of common seeds including wheat, rye, barley and oats.

Keep them challenged

Cats are intelligent creatures and can get bored without enough mental stimulation. Try challenging them with cat toys and interactive play. Each cat has different preferences when it comes to toys, so experiment with different types to see which ones your kitty finds most interesting. 

Sometimes it can take a while to get to know your cat and what makes them happy. However, if you stick to these key things cats love, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your cat happy indoors for years to come.