Cats add so much value to our lives. It’s no wonder why we love them so much. Cats offer us so much with asking very little in return. Did you know, cats actually rank as one of the top five easiest pets to care for? Besides a clean litter box, quality food, fresh water, and love, they don’t require much else; but they fill our lives with so much joy. It’s time we give back! As a cat parent, now is the purrfect time to focus on your cat’s physical and emotional well-being. It’s time to show them just how much they mean to us. Check out our Smarty Tips for cat parents like you!

Visit the Veterinarian 

This may not make your kitty the happiest but it’s essential for proper care of your cat. As a cat parent, your kitty will need their annual check-ups and be kept up to date with vaccines. Unfortunately, vet visits for cats are half as often as dog visits, even though they need the same routine medical care.  This could be due to the way the cat was acquired (i.e. a barn cat or rescued from abandonment) that make cat parents think they are survivors and do not need extra care.

Cats tend to mask their ailments and many cat parents may not realize they are sick or in pain. his comes from their survival instinct as prey to mask any injury. Therefore, cat parents may not know anything is wrong unless routine blood work is completed. Transportation can also be a leading factor. Cats tend not be as welcoming of the idea of going for a ride as much as a dog loves the car.

Find a veterinarian that you trust and works with you. It’s important to have regular visits to the vet to assess the overall health of your cat. As a cat parent, trust your instincts. You are their advocate and if you know they’re not feeling well, prompt action can prevent behavior and health problems in the future.

Create a Comfortable Space

We all know cats are creatures of comfort and love to claim their spot in the house. As a cat parent, make sure they have locations in the house they feel safe and secure in. Be mindful when placing their furniture to ensure they are most comfortable. Creating vertical space in your house increases territory and can help maintain peace in a multi-cat household.

Making small changes can make a big impact. Simply adding more vertical space with a cat tree or shelving can promote more peacefulness among cats who are forced to share territory. Vertical space gives your cat a way to be part of the action from a safe distance and offers them comfort and security. It provides a vantage point without feeling vulnerable. Vertical space is also important for your cat to have a place to retreat when they feel like they need to get away.

Kitties love to look outside; or even venture outside if they’re brave enough. Set up a perch by a window and for added stimulation, consider putting a bird feeder near the window to attract some entertainment. They will love the new sights and will notice the thoughtfulness. Consider a window hammock if you are short on space for a cat tower. As a cat parent, be creative and find simple, smart solutions; like setting up a soft blanket on top of the couch can make all the difference.

Let Your Cat’s Purrsonality Shine

All cats have their individual personalities, just like people. Get to know your cat and what their likes or dislikes are to help you become a better cat parent. Try a variety of toys to see which they like best and enjoy some playtime together. It is important for cats to be stimulated enough or they may start misbehaving in other ways out of boredom. If your cat is more aloof, get to know them on their level. If they tend to hide under the furniture frequently, be patient with them and try to coax them with treats or something they like (the infamous red dot). It’s crucial for you two to develop a bond and a trust, so do what it takes until you reach it.

Invest in a Cat Scratcher

At the end of the day, your cat is still an animal with animal instincts. They need to have some exercise and an outlet for their scratching urges. Your curtains and furniture will thank you! It’s innate for cats to want to scratch and stretch; and a scratching post is a great way for cats to fulfill that need. There are many cat scratch posts out there, find one that fits your aesthetic and your feline’s needs. If there’s a problem area for scratching, try moving the cat scratcher nearby. Cats will likely prefer the scratcher over your favorite chair, expensive couch, or rug!

Cats Are Trainable!

Yes, believe it or not, cats are in fact trainable. As a cat parent, the best way to teach your cat new things is through positive reinforcement. You would be surprised at how much your kitty is capable of learning. When disciplining, try not to punish them for bad behavior but instead reward them for behavior you want to see more of, think of Pavlov’s theory of conditioning. Your cat care wizardry may not have them doing backflips, but don’t fret! If you’re having trouble with unwanted behaviors, like scratching the furniture, make sure you have enough cat friendly furniture, like a scratch post or two, to give them that outlet as mentioned before.

There are also No Scratch Sprays that you can use to help deter your cat from particular areas. If you’ve exhausted all your ideas, then certainly have a discussion with your veterinarian about some simple solutions to redirect their behavior. There are cat behaviorists that can help resolve cat behavior problems as well. Do your research and see what would be a right fit for you and your pet. If you’re looking to have the smartest cat on the block, then check out cat school trainings. Like I said, you’d be surprised at what cats can learn.

Give Your Cat Litter Box Some Love

Cats are naturally very clean animals and they must have a tidy litter box to be a happy kitty. As a cat parent, a cat litter box for each kitty is a must and having one extra is highly recommended. A simple daily spot clean or sprucing is ideal. To make cleaning easier (and faster), we’ve developed Scoop Buddy, a game-changer in the world of cat parenting that promises to save you time and keep your floors clean!

Picture this: Scoop Buddy attached to the litter box simply waiting for you to hook on the bag and scoop away, a quick and easy way to keep the bag in place and eliminate litter spills, saving you time and all the mess.

It’s not just an accessory; it’s an innovative solution to keeping the litter box clean and making life a little easier!

Just like litter boxes, there are many kitty litter options out there that make it very easy to scoop and even flush any cat waste down the toilet (check with your state’s municipal guidelines). The location of the litter box is also important to consider. Placing the litter box in a low traffic area is ideal. If your cat is giving you any behavior problems, I would start with the litter box!

You Are What You Eat

There are a lot of options on the market for cat food but I urge you to do your research and serve them a high-quality cat food. Ask friends or family members if they have a trusted brands they use or have a discussion with your vet. An easy cat care tip is simply to read the ingredients list. Many of these commercialized cat food brands use harmful preservatives like BHA (butylated hydroxyanisol), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and ethoxyquin or filler ingredients like chicken by-product or meat meal.

As consumers, we need to be mindful where we are spending our money and what our pets are eating. Choosing a high-quality food that includes nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is very important for your cat’s overall health.

Keep an eye out for cat food approved by AAFCO, and again, talk with your veterinarian about healthy options for your feline. The raw food diet has been making a huge impact in the pet world. Not everyone can afford that diet but something to consider! Make sure your kitty has access to clean, fresh water daily. If your cat happens to be a little bougie, they may even enjoy a water fountain or bottled cat water. Your options are endless.

Socialize With Your Cat

Carve out some time in your daily schedule to have some play time. It is so important for cats to have enough stimulation to be happy, healthy, and so they don’t always get those 3AM zoomies around the house. Make it a fun experience, give them some treats, play with their favorite cat toys; think of it as a kitty happy hour. We all need a little down time every now and again. It is so good for your cat’s overall well-being to know they are loved and valued as a member of the family. It’s easy to forget, but cats have needs too!

Grooming

As we know, kitties love to be clean. Although they are quite independent, sometimes they need a little help grooming too. As a cat parent, take time to brush your cat and trim their nails. Grooming definitely cuts down on the cat fur in the house, which is also good if you have allergies. Grooming also affords you some one on one quality time to further develop your bond and trust. Investing in a good tools like a cat brush is necessary. There are many options, so figure out what type of brush your cat prefers like soft bristles or more of a wirey brush.

Lastly, Keep Your Paws Off Their Claws. Declawing cats is inhumane! If your plan is to declaw your cat, then being a cat parent is not for you. If you’re concerned about scratching furniture or people, there are better alternatives, like keeping their nails short or even putting caps over their claws, (they also look pretty swanky). Trimming your cat’s nails can be tricky but your vet is a great resource. They have technicians that can quickly and easily trim their nails for you, or there are tutorials of how to properly trim your cat’s nails. This definitely helps keep scratches on furniture to a minimum as well. Check out this video for more facts about declawing cats.

The Truth About Declawing Your Cat– Jackson Galaxy

Buddy Up

As much you think you can socialize with your cat, you’re not an actual cat (sorry to be the bearer of bad news). Most cats are truly happier living with other cat companions. Cats who remain with one of their littermates, or a similarly aged companion, tend to be happier and healthier throughout their life; and in turn, a better pet to you and your family. As a cat parent, if you want to improve your cat’s happiness, consider having more than one cat (if you’re in a position of doing so). If that is not in the cards, then just be mindful about extended periods of time your cat will be left alone. Maybe even consider getting a kitty camera to keep an eye and communicate with them throughout the day. Some video monitors even give out treats for added stimulation. After all, we don’t want them becoming more anti-social than they already are…

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