Cat Tips: What Did I Do Right About Owning a Cat?

As a cat owner for many years, there is nothing more reassuring than having a healthy and comfortable cat. Just like when we were little, our parents always liked to watch us eat, and while watching us, they would say, "Eat more, eat more, eat more vegetables," because they wanted us to grow up healthy, worry less, and be happy children.

After many years of owning cats, I realized that owning a cat is just like owning a child—there is no difference at all. The only hope for kittens is that they are healthy and happy.

But kittens can't speak; they can't tell us straight what they like to eat or what kind of life they prefer. However, this doesn't mean we can't communicate with them. In fact, it's about expressing unlimited love through the limited communication and interactions we share.

Whether the cat is healthy or not can be detected through medical means or by observing their appearance, but their happiness is something that we, as cat owners, can truly feel in the relationship. Not only can we sense whether they are happy, but we can also feel if our cats love us.

What Can We Do to Make Our Beloved Cats Live Better Lives?

So, what can we do to ensure our beloved cats have a healthy and happy life and stay with us longer? Here are some of the measures that I believe are incredibly effective:

1. Respect Your Cat's Nature: Don't Always Set Rules!

The first and most important tip is respecting your cat's natural behaviors and instincts. Cats have many innate traits that may seem at odds with our human needs. For example, cats need to scratch—an instinctive behavior that helps them keep their claws healthy. But if they scratch our expensive furniture, it can lead to conflict. Cats also love high places, often jumping up on tables or countertops, which might be frustrating when they end up dirtying things.

Rather than imposing rigid rules like "You can't jump on the sofa" or "Don't go near the kitchen," it's better to redirect their behaviors. For instance, providing cats with scratching posts, cat scratching pads, or cat toys designed for scratching can save your furniture and fulfill their natural instincts. For those times when cats love jumping on counters, a more flexible approach might be simply keeping certain spaces off-limits or using soft covers for sensitive areas like sofas.

2. Understand Your Cat's Personality: Tailor Your Approach

Just like people, cats have personalities, some are bold, some are timid, some are very independent while others are very dependent on their owners. Even with the same socialisation from an early age, cats react and adapt differently.

Some cats may be very close to humans and will actively come over to you to pamper you, while some cats may be more socially fearful, dislike strangers, and even fear of the outside world, like many Internet voices are now advocating that cats should be socialised from a young age, but for extremely socially fearful cats or cats that do not like the outside world and are unable to adapt themselves to the outside world, being forced to come into contact with the outside world and unfamiliar environments will bring about great This requires us to keep the cat in a safe and secure environment.

This requires us to take care of not only the physical needs of cats, but also their psychological state. Each cat needs individualised care according to its personality.

3. Communicate with Your Cat: Praise Them Often!

Cats may not speak our language, but their behavior clearly communicates their feelings. By spending more time with your cat, observing their actions, and interacting regularly, you'll learn what makes them happy.

Praise your cat for good behavior and affection, such as when they play with their favorite toys or snuggle up with you. Even cats that seem aloof can benefit from verbal praise and gentle petting. This builds trust and strengthens the emotional bond between you.

One of the simplest ways to show love is through cat apparel that brings comfort—such as a cozy cat sweater or a cat scarf, designed with their natural instincts in mind. Cats love warmth, and offering them such items makes them feel secure while reinforcing their connection with you.

4. Multi-Cat Households: Treat All Your Cats Equally

In multi-cat households, it's vital to ensure that every cat feels equally loved and valued. Cats may have different personalities, so some may enjoy more attention than others. However, it's important to give every cat the time and care they deserve.

Pay attention to their needs, even if one of your cats is more social and the other is more independent. For example, when giving treats or playtime, make sure all cats are equally included to avoid jealousy. If you notice one cat feeling left out, spend quality time with them, whether it's playing with their favorite cat toys or simply sitting together. This prevents any feelings of neglect and helps maintain harmony in the household.

5. Don’t Cage Your Cat: Provide Freedom

Some owners may resort to keeping their cats in cages for various reasons, but this can lead to emotional distress for your pet. Cats are independent animals that need space and freedom to explore. Keeping a cat in a cage for extended periods can cause anxiety and even depression.

If you're concerned about your cat's safety or need to restrict them for specific reasons, consider providing them with an environment where they can still roam freely within certain limits. A cat tree or cat shelves can create a stimulating and secure environment for your cat to explore while keeping them safe. This is essential for their mental and physical health.

Additional Tips for Healthy and Happy Cats

Here are some more practical tips that can help improve your cat's quality of life:

1. Should Cats Eat Regularly or Openly?

Many cat owners may prefer to feed their cats at regular intervals, thinking that this can control their weight and avoid overeating. However, I would like to explore the potential benefits of this approach for cats from an open-feeding perspective, particularly in terms of safeguarding their physical and mental health.

Many times we are unable to be with our cats at all times, and unexpected circumstances may make it impossible to feed them on time. Open feeding allows cats to eat whenever they need to, avoiding anxiety due to hunger.
In addition, cats are prone to food anxiety and excessive food cravings when their desire for food cannot be satisfied in a timely manner. Eating openly can satisfy their needs in a timely manner, reducing anxiety and helping to avoid bad eating habits such as overeating.

What's more, cats are independent hunters by nature, and open-feeding is in line with their biorhythms and helps them maintain a healthy weight and psychological balance. This approach allows cats to avoid the insecurity that comes from waiting for food and helps their physical and mental health.

2. The Litter Tray Must Be Large! Preferably Not a Closed Litter Tray

The litter tray must be large enough, cats need a comfortable place to defecate. If the litter tray is too small, the cat may feel uncomfortable or even refuse to use it. Enclosed litter boxes can be overwhelming for cats, so it's best to choose an open litter box.

Many times the cat's messy urination problem comes from the litter tray. Solve the problem of the litter tray and some of the messy urination problems will be solved naturally.

3. Socialisation

For cats with socialisation potential, the socialisation process is very beneficial. As they gradually adapt to different people and environments, they are better able to cope with changes in their lives.For example, if there is a need to move or change environments, cats that have already been socialised are usually able to adapt to their new home more quickly and with less stress and anxiety.

It is also inevitable that cats will need to visit the doctor or undergo regular medical check-ups, and a well-socialised cat is better able to cope with these strangers and unfamiliar surroundings that may come with a visit to the hospital, reducing fear and anxiety.

Most importantly, socialisation gives cats the opportunity to explore the wider world and experience the beauty of the outside world, rather than just being confined to the home. Through socialisation, cats are not only able to build better relationships with humans and other animals, but also maintain a healthier and happier state of mind.

4. Create a Complex 'Terrain' for Cats

Cats are natural climbers, and they enjoy exploring vertical spaces. Providing a cat tree, shelves, or climbing posts can help fulfill their desire to explore and exercise. These features create a stimulating environment and offer your cat a safe and fun way to spend their time.

5. Don’t Dress Your Cat Daily

Whilst some cats may be adapted to wearing clothes, most cats do not need clothes to stay warm. Cats will find warm places on their own and wearing clothes will make them feel uncomfortable. For one thing, cats wearing clothes will make their normal posture feel constricted and affect their normal movement, and cats need to spend a lot of time licking their own fur, self-cleaning is also a stress release, and wearing clothes will not be able to lick their fur, which will make most cats feel anxious.
But dressing up your cat once in a while can be a wonderful experience, just like who wouldn't want to get our cats involved in the festive atmosphere at Christmas or Halloween, dressing up your cat is the most fun!

In Conclusion: Respect Your Cat

All of the tips above boil down to one simple truth: Respect your cat. Some might argue that as the owner, you are the one in charge, but cats are not just pets—they are emotional beings. They experience pain, joy, and affection just as we do. By respecting their emotions and needs, you create a loving, two-way relationship that enriches both your life and theirs. Cats bring warmth, joy, and comfort, and in return, they deserve love, respect, and care. I hope these tips help you create a happier, healthier life for your cat. Here's to many more years of companionship with your feline friend!

For those of us who want to make sure our cats are living their best lives, providing safe, engaging, and stimulating environments is crucial. From interactive cat toys to cozy cat apparel, small changes can make a big difference in their happiness and well-being.

And remember, no matter how much advice you read or how many tips you try, the key to a great relationship with your cat is love, patience, and understanding.

If you want to further enrich your cat’s life with thoughtful gifts, take a look at our collection of Gifts For kittens designed to bring joy and comfort to your beloved feline.