7 Tips For Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy and Healthy
September is “Happy Cat Month,” so it’s the purrrfect time to celebrate our feline friends and ensure they’re living their best lives. Cats bring joy, comfort, and companionship into our homes but, as devoted cat parents, we will always worry about their wellbeing. If your cat spends most of their time indoors, you might be wondering if they’re happy while gazing longingly out the window at nature and “ekekek”ing at birds. However, with the right care and attention, indoor cats can live very happy, fulfilling lives without roaming outdoors.
Tips For A Happy And Healthy Cat
- Regular Vet Visits
- The Right Diet
- Create A Stimulating Environment
- Nurture A Safe and Comforting Environment
- Give Companionship and Play
- Microchip Your Indoor Cats
- Bring The Outdoors Inside
1. Regular Vet Visits: The Foundation of Cat Health
Just like humans, cats need regular check-ups to stay in optimal health. Scheduling a yearly visit with the vet ensures that your cat receives the necessary vaccinations, dental care, and health assessments to catch any potential issues early on. Even when your cat appears healthy, these routine visits are essential for preventing diseases that may not show obvious symptoms at first.
As your cat ages, more frequent visits may be necessary to monitor for age-related health concerns. Preventive care is vital to prolonging your cat’s life and maintaining their happiness. A happy cat is a healthy cat, and regular vet visits play a critical role in achieving that balance.
2. Feeding Your Cat the Right Diet
Good nutrition is the foundation for your cat’s happiness and optimal health. Because indoor cats don’t tend to get as much exercise as their outdoor counterparts, their diet is an even more crucial component of their health. Balanced, easy-to-digest nutrition in their food is the best foundation for supporting your cat’s energy levels, coat and overall wellness. It is important to choose a food with high-quality ingredients and meat as the first ingredient. Meat byproducts and fillers such as corn, soy, and wheat should be avoided.
Many pet parents are also leaning towards a diet consisting of mainly wet food nowadays and feeding dry kibble only when necessary. Many vets suggest this and say that it is more nutritious and also helps keep your cat hydrated. Speaking of which, many cats don’t naturally drink a lot of water making it easy for them to become dehydrated. So, a cat water fountain is a great way to ensure your cat is getting enough water.
3. Create A Stimulating Environment
Keeping your cats entertained is one of the most important aspects of ensuring their happiness indoors. Cats are born hunters and need to stalk, pounce, and play. To keep these instincts satisfied indoors, you need to provide plenty of stimulating activities! Toys like interactive wands, puzzle feeders, or even a homemade pillow and blanket fort, can engage your cat both physically and mentally.
Additionally, if you don’t love the look of cardboard boxes laying around your home, The Refined Feline designs cat furniture (without the beige carpeting) that actually blends in with your home. It is not just aesthetically pleasing though, it is also functional with many pieces that serve multiple purposes. This modern cat furniture, such as tall cat trees and wooden wall shelves, gives your cat their own space to climb, jump, and observe their surroundings. It also features replaceable parts to keep the cat furniture looking new for all nine lives. For example, the Lotus Cat Tower is a stylish cat tree standing at almost 6 feet tall that allows multiple cats to climb, scratch, and play all in one. Having such multi-functional furniture will keep your cat stimulated while adding to the aesthetic of your living space.
4. Nurture a Safe and Comforting Environment
It’s important to remember that your home is your cat’s entire world, so it’s important to make it as comfortable and secure for them as possible. Create safe spaces where your cat can retreat when they need some alone time. Cat trees, cozy beds, and quiet corners provide essential comfort zones for them to relax and recharge. Keep in mind that a cat’s hearing is more sensitive than ours so every noise in our homes is way louder to them than it is to us. So, if you like to blast music, make sure that your cat has a quiet area to retreat to if they choose.
Another way to enhance your home’s environment for your cat is by bringing a tiny bit of the outdoors inside. For example, you can try to grow cat-friendly plants like cat grass or catnip in small indoor pots. Most cats love to graze on cat grass, and it’s an easy way to bring a touch of nature indoors without exposing your cat to the risks of the outside world. However, be mindful to research any other plants before bringing them into your home, as many can be toxic to cats.
5. The Benefits of Two Cats: Companionship and Play
If you’ve ever wondered whether your cat would benefit from a feline companion, the answer is often yes! Having a second cat provides your cat with social interaction, playtime, and company, especially when you’re out of the house. While toys and cat furniture will keep them busy for a while, another cat can keep them entertained for life.
If you’re not ready to adopt a second cat permanently, consider fostering. Many shelters are always in need of temporary foster homes for cats, and fostering can provide your current cat with a short-term playmate while helping another cat in need. Who knows, you might even end up with a “foster fail” and adopt the second cat after all!
6. Microchip Your Indoor Cats
Even when your cat is kept safely indoors, accidents can happen. A door might get left open by a guest, or a curious kitty might push through a loose screen. That’s why microchipping your cat is an important step in ensuring their safety. If your cat ever gets outside, a microchip significantly increases the chances of you being reunited with them.
7. Give Your Cats A Glimpse Of The Outdoors
If your cat shows interest in the outside world, you can safely satisfy their curiosity by bringing elements of the outdoors inside. Aside from cat grass and plants, consider setting up a window perch where your cat can watch birds, squirrels, and the world outside.
If your cat is a bit more adventurous, you can take your cat outside in a stroller or cat backpack for some fresh air and exploration. If they want to explore a bit more, you can keep a leash on them and take them out of the stroller or backpack when it’s safe to do so. It’s always a good idea to have a stroller with you, even if your cat is comfortable outside. There’s always a chance of a dog approaching that is not so friendly, or a loud car passing by that could spook even the most confident of cats. You should never leave your indoor cat unattended outdoors, but taking them for walks can be a fun way for them to safely experience the outdoors without the dangers of free-roaming.
Keep Your Cat Happy And Healthy With These Tips
September’s Happy Cat Month is a great reminder to prioritize the health and happiness of your indoor cat. With the right care, cats can live happy, fulfilling lives indoors, away from the dangers of outdoor environments. From regular vet visits to providing enriching environments and the occasional outdoor adventure, there are plenty of ways to ensure your cat thrives. These efforts will go a long way in ensuring your indoor cat is not just safe, but also content and healthy for years to come.
