How to Win Your Cat's Heart
There’s more to loving a cat than offering an occasional scritch behind the ears. To bond with your feline friend, know what else gets cats purring.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, show appreciation of what your cat gives to you every day. These are some of the things cats love:
A sunny spot by a window. Cats love to nap in a warm, sunny place. Several different companies make a window perch for cats that’s covered in soft material and easy to install. If someone’s handy around the house, he or she can easily make a sturdy and comfy ledge by the sun.
A cat-proof home. Make your living space totally safe for cats by removing toxic plants, picking up ant and roach traps and stowing or throwing away items that could choke an animal.
A selection of toys. Keep your cat stimulated with a variety of toys and don’t array them all at once. Since cats find the simplest things entertaining, everything from a long feather to a fake mouse will provide fun.
An endless supply of catnip. A dried herb that brings bliss to cats, catnip can be inserted in a toy, placed in bowls, or simply sprinkled about. Its effect is short-lived, so it’s safe to treat your cat with catnip once a day.
A scratching post. Cats instinctively scratch to sharpen their claws. To make a scratching post even more appealing (and keep your cat away from the upholstery), sprinkle catnip on it.
Brushing and manicures. Use a soft brush like a caress to help your cat groom — and ask your veterinarian to demonstrate how to safely trim nails.
A clean litter box. Immaculate animals, cats also have a good sense of smell. While many companies that produce kitty litter include additives to mask the scent to make it smell better to humans, cats know the difference between a clean and a dirty box. So scoop and change the litter often.
Spayed or neutered. Animals who are sterilized live longer and avoid health problems such as uterine and ovarian cancer for females and testicular cancer for males. Spayed and neutered cats are also less likely to roam and fight.
Regular veterinarian visits. Take your cat in for an annual check up and discuss what vaccines may be necessary. If your cat isn’t microchipped yet, don’t delay. Even house cats have been known to slip out. Having this kind of identification gives you peace of mind and gives an errant cat the best chance of being returned. Learn more about microchipping.
A cat-loving partner. One of the most loving things you can do for your cat is to choose a partner who likes cats and cares about your pet almost as much as you do. It makes a home happy for all.