We all know that cats are peculiar beings, and their happiness can set the tone for the whole family. To shine a lightweight on the significance of feline happiness, September is acknowledged as National Happy Cat Month. The CATalyst Council, a nonprofit devoted to feline well being care and welfare, began this annual consciousness marketing campaign to teach and inform cat homeowners on what they’ll do to make sure their feline is pleased and wholesome.
Cats are available a wide range of personalities. Some might be excessive upkeep of their calls for of affection and a spotlight, whereas others play arduous to get and make their people work for his or her affection. Oftentimes, cats are regarded as self-reliant, aloof and fewer in want of normal veterinary care than dogs.
Happy Cat Month is designed to counteract these stereotypes and guarantee cats are effectively cared for, enriched, and receiving the preventive care they want. Whether the household feline is the pleasant kind or the “do not bother” selection, there are a number of issues we will do to verify they’re residing their finest lives.
REGULAR VET VISITS: Cats must see a vet at the very least annually. While felines ought to get yearly vaccinations — even strictly indoor cats want vaccinations — vet visits are crucial for extra than simply photographs. Cats are nice at hiding sickness, so routine wellness visits may also help detect medical situations that may not be obvious. Regular medical checkups and screenings can lead to early detection, analysis and therapy choices for any situations that will come up.
MONITOR LITTER BOX HABITS: Cats typically like to specific their emotions through their litter field conduct. If the household feline stops utilizing the litter field, he isn’t essentially staging a revolt. Rather, he’s seemingly sending a message by means of this undesirable conduct. Reasons for boycotting the litter field vary from a really treatable bladder an infection to switching to a brand new litter to introducing a brand new cat into the home. The frequency of fixing out the litter can be essential. Scooping the litter field twice a day is advisable. If the cat all of a sudden stops utilizing the litter field, a visit to the vet is required to resolve the problem.
GIVE THEM SPACES: Spaces to climb, areas to cover. Cats prefer to rise up excessive, so give them areas to climb — maybe a prime shelf is cleared for them hang around on or a cat tree with a number of ranges. They additionally like to cover, so be certain they’ve entry to get underneath or behind issues and conceal out after they want some alone time. At ARNO, we’ve got hammocks in every kennel that the cats like to lounge in all through the day. We even have cat condos with a number of ranges that provide numerous climbing and high-up locations to cover and lounge.
SCRATCHING POSTS ARE A MUST: Scratching is a crucial attribute of cat conduct. They ought to have locations they’re allowed to stretch and care for his or her claws. Providing an extended and durable scratching submit is a certain technique to maintain the household feline pleased.
ADD ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES: Cats want their psychological well being taken care of along with the fundamentals. Unlike dogs, most cats are confined to being indoors 100% of the time. While some cats could also be content material to put in a window and watch the world go by, others might have some extra enrichment to maintain them pleased. There are numerous toys, feeders and different objects available on the market that stimulate the mind and provides cats the chance to train their pure “hunter” instincts. Not all toys should be store-bought both. Things comparable to paper luggage, empty containers and wadded up paper will entertain cats for hours.
GIVE THEM SAFE OUTDOOR ACCESS: Cats are curious concerning the world exterior the window. Did you realize you’ll be able to walk a cat on a leash?! Outfit the household cat with a harness, leash up and go. Screened in porches or patios are additionally nice choices for some recent air and outside time.
CONSIDER A FRIEND: Most cats benefit from the companionship of a feline buddy. They can maintain one another firm and revel in cuddling and playtime collectively. There are so many cats and kittens obtainable for adoption in our native shelters and rescues. If you’ve been contemplating including a brand new cat to the household, try a close-by shelter or rescue.
Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer supervisor of Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonprofit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter. For extra information on ARNO, go to www.animalrescueneworleans.org.
