Cat Behavior: 10 Things Your Cat Needs To Be Happy

Whether you’re planning on bringing home a new cat or already have a trusted companion, it’s a good idea to evaluate what your furry friend will need while staying with you in order to minimize conflicts and misunderstandings and make both you and the cat happy.

So, what is it our cat needs from us, in exchange for much purring, cuddling and being a clown for our amusement -also known as 'proper' cat behavior- ?

A good rule of thumb is one room per cat, excluding the bathroom and the laundry room. Also, stick to 5 cats max. Generally a tom needs more space, and some cat breeds need more space than others. Being able to go outside is another factor, as it expands the territory.

If you are a bit cramped for space, think 3D. Give your kitties their own cat furniture, like a scratching post. This will allow them to make full use of the height of the room, and not just the floor.

Put the food bowl somewhere where kitty won’t be disturbed. High traffic spots make it hard to relax while eating. If you have a dog, place the food up on a ledge somewhere, where the dog can’t get to it. Cat food is richer than dog food and your dog won’t be able to resist the treat otherwise.

Also keep the food bowl at a respectable distance from both the litter tray and the water bowl, if only for hygienic reasons. Food can stumble into the water bowl, making for a yucky mix, and like most people, cats don’t enjoy eating where they make number 1 and 2.

Lastly, consider the food bowl itself. Choose one with a low rim, as cats dislike having the edges of the bowl touch their whiskers. It’s uncomfortable for them. For hygienic purposes, I’d recommend a porcelain or stainless steel bowl as plastic can trap bacteria more readily.

Make sure clean water is always accessible to your kitty. Keep the water bowl from being contaminated with junk. Also, make sure kitty can’t topple the bowl somehow as some cats love playing with their water bowl and flooding your floor. I’ve also found that it helps to put the water bowl on a ledge, mine certainly preferred it. They also appreciate the water not being near the food bowl at all.

The ultimate luxury item, however, is a water fountain. A lot of cats enjoy playing with running water so it doubles as an excellent pass time. As before, make sure it’s not near a heavy traffic area, so they can enjoy their drink in peace.

Scratching is a basic urge. It maintains the nails, not so much by trimming them, but rather by shedding the dead upper layer of the nail. Aside from that, it helps cats mark their territory, and post messages for other felines around. It’s something you won’t be able to get your kitty to stop doing, so it’s imperative to provide them with a suitable target for their scratching.

When selecting a cat scratching post, keep in mind that most cats scratch vertically. You want to get them a vertical scratching post with a good solid base, that’s sturdy and tall enough to allow the cat to stretch comfortably. If you’ve just adopted a kitten, realize that while the basic cat scratching post you’ve gotten them is perfect for now, however, in time kitty will probably outgrow it. So unless you want your leather couch to take its place, replace it in time. Some cats are horizontal 'scratchers' , in which case a scratching mat will do the trick. As for material, don’t go for carpet, or any soft fabrics that get your claws stuck half way. A popular material used for scratching posts is sisal, as it allows for the right type of resistance needed to maintain those nails perfectly.

Always get 1 cat scratching post per kitty +1 extra. Place them next to the couch, or behind it, and near the door, as the foreign smells you bring inside when you pass through that door can trigger their anxieties and territorial nature. This way they’ll have an appropriate outlet for it, instead of resorting to clawing up your door styles or worse, spraying the place to mark it aggressively as theirs.

Yep. The thing you want to hide in the back and pretend doesn’t exist. Still, unless you plan on toilet training your cat, they’re a necessary evil when you have an indoor cat.  And stashing them in some stuffy corner might end up biting you in the ass.

Choose a litter tray that’s big enough for your cat. If you have an elderly cat, make it easier for them to get into the litter tray by having one with a lower ledge. Aside from that, fill the litter tray with fine sand-like litter, as that is preferred by most cats.

A cat feels at its most vulnerable when eliminating – and who wouldn’t, let’s be honest-. Therefore, a litter tray needs to be in a spot where they don’t feel cornered. If possible, choose a room where there are two or more exits, and keep the litter box somewhere where kitty gets an oversight of the room, and an easy exit if need be. This is especially important when you have several cats, as some pester others while eliminating, which a surefire way to get victim to start peeing on your bed: it’s absorbent; your smell is present, which they find soothing; and you can see anyone approaching from miles away. Don’t use litter trays with lids on, as it creates the same hazards, and stops you from noticing that the litter tray is in need of cleaning.

Once again: 1 litter tray per cat + 1 extra. Even when you have only one cat. Why? Because some cats separate where they do number 1 from where they do number 2. In a multiple cat household, it is best to divide the litter trays over at least two rooms, to prevent a situation where one cat ‘claims and guards’ the litter trays. Lastly, have a litter box present on every floor of your house, to provide your cat with easy access.

Originally, cats were mostly solitary and therefore didn’t have the protection of the pack to rely on. This means that having a safe spot where you can snooze and sleep, is very much appreciated. Especially more skittish kitties can appreciate a higher up perch where they can feel safe.

Just like we don’t like to be cooped up with nothing to do, the same is true for our feline friends.  And they will keep themselves busy if you won’t.  That means you don’t get to whine about what they get up to. So..you’re better off having a say. 

For every cat, there’s an appropriate way to challenge and engage them , even the quiet and skittish ones.  So find out what your cat needs. A good start is a fishing rod toy, as it allows you to play interactively while sitting on the couch with your kitty and nearly all cats love it. If your cat is meowing during the night, scratching stuff or being a downright attention whore, they’re most likely bored. Find what makes them tick and provide them with something they love to do, especially if they’re indoor kitties, as they cannot go on outside adventures. A simple carton box can provide for fun and games for up to a week. Balls, mice, and a weekly catnip party, as well as a foodball can do wonders.

Most cats do enjoy the occasional cuddle and purring session with their owners. While fairly more independent than dogs, they’re still living creatures and enjoy being touched by those they love. And, this isn’t just something they enjoy and benefit from. Petting a pet has been proven to be healthy for you. It relieves stress, lowers your bloodpressure and releases oxytocine into your brain, making you purr with happiness yourself. Aside from that, with the proper introduction, they can be very loving towards their own kind as well and give each other that much needed affection.

While cats will groom themselves, some longer haired ones can definitely benefit from a good brushing. However, even for those with short hair, it is great for their blood circulation, and has the same beneficial effects petting does, if done properly. Aside from that, if you want to keep hairballs to a minimum, grooming can significantly help reduce them. And it’s a great way to bond with your cat.

Oh, how all cats dread a visit to the vet. Still, it’s vital to their health. Get a cat carrier that opens on the top, so that the vet can examine the kitty in its box, especially if it’s a skittish kitty. Get one that is easy to clean, in case kitty has an accident due to sickness or stress.

Also, don’t stash the cat carrier after the visit to the vet, but use it year round as a cat bed around the house -with a blanket in so it can absorb the smell of the cat-. That way the association with the vet won’t set into her mind and it’ll be easier to put her in when it is time to go to the vet.