Did you know your cat’s happiness can have a significant impact on their long-term health? September is Happy, Healthy Cat Month, and our team at Minnesota Veterinary Hospital is celebrating by sharing what you need to know about improving your cat’s happiness and overall health.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to tell if your cat is happy and some easy tips for enriching their environment.
Signs of a Happy Cat
Cats are expressive animals and have a variety of ways to tell us how they’re feeling. An excellent way to gauge your pet’s happiness is to monitor their behavior. Happy cats are usually more active and enjoy engaging with other people and pets in your home. While some cats are shier than others, happy cats tend to approach new situations with caution and curiosity as opposed to fear.
Enriching Your Cat’s Environment
Environmental enrichment plays a critical role in keeping your pet healthy and happy. Enrichment activities provide mental stimulation and can even reduce feelings of stress and boredom. Below are some of our top tips for creating and improving environmental enrichment opportunities for your cat.
- Help Your Cat Explore New Heights
Cats love exploring new heights and finding new places to enjoy a good view. An excellent way to enrich your cat’s environment is to provide new areas for climbing, such as cat shelves or a climbing gym. Not only is this a great way to provide excitement for your feline friend, but it can also encourage physical movement and keep your pet active.
- Encourage Brain Games and Interactive Activities
Mental stimulation is essential for your pet’s overall well-being and can keep curious kitties out of trouble. Food puzzles and interactive toys are great for keeping your cat occupied and providing entertainment.
Another excellent option for providing mental stimulation is to create a scavenger hunt for your cat. Consider hiding a few treats throughout your home or in your cat’s favorite play area. Having to search for their treats will bring out your cat’s natural hunting instincts and help them exercise their brain.
- Set Up a Scratching Post
Scratching posts can provide a variety of benefits for your feline friend. While scratching is a common method cats use to mark their territory, scratching also helps your cat maintain their nails.
When investing in a scratching post, look for something with multiple scratching surfaces. You’ll also want to ensure the scratching post is an appropriate size for your pet. An ideal scratching post will allow your cat to fully extend their legs and stretch out their back muscles. Vertical scratching posts should have a steady base to prevent the post from toppling over when it’s used.
Final Thoughts
At Minnesota Veterinary Hospital, we know how important it is to keep your cat happy and healthy for years to come. We hope this information will give you a better understanding of your cat’s well-being and provide some new ideas for environmental enrichment.
If you have additional questions or concerns about your feline friend, please give us a call at 651-484-3331. Don’t forget to celebrate Happy Healthy Cat Month and show your cat some extra love!