Fluffy celebrates Respect Your Cat Day on March 28th. Of course, if you could ask your feline overlord how to best show her respect, she would probably request enormous temples, statues, filled fishponds, and catnip gardens. While kittens may have persuaded many ancient peoples to go to such lengths, you don’t have to go quite that far. In fact, the greatest approach to showing your furball respect is to understand her unique demands and purrsonality. In this article, a local Plano, TX veterinarian discusses how to show Fluffy proper respect.
Keep Your Furry Friend Indoors
given the chance, Fluffy may disagree with this one. Plenty of kitties enjoy going outside. To be fair, the exercise and stimulation they receive outdoors can be beneficial. However, once your adventurous little pet steps outside, she is vulnerable to a variety of threats.
Here are some of the common ones:
- Cars
- Weather
- Chemical Exposure.
- Predators
- Stray dogs
- Parasites
- Infection from cuts
Additionally, your feline buddy may become lost, trapped, stolen, or even killed! This is not simply hearsay. Approximately 18% of cats go missing at least once in their lives.
Provide A Proper Litter Box Setup
Cats utilize litter boxes, which makes it easier to care for them. However, it’s critical to keep your pet’s powder room clean. Kitties really, really dislike unclean litter boxes, and who could blame them? We recommend scooping once a day and changing the litter every week or so.
A proper setup is also necessary. If you have more than one cat, you’ll need multiple litter boxes. Cats do not like to share bathrooms!
Make sure the box is in a convenient location for your cute pet, away from drafts and direct sunlight. It should also provide some privacy.
Get Your Feline Companion Fixed
If your feline friend hasn’t been fixed yet, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment at your pet clinic as soon as possible. This will ultimately benefit both you and your furball. Fluffy will be safer, healthier, and less likely to exhibit behaviors like spraying and yowling.
This is also a great way to promote good animal welfare. With millions of homeless cats in the world, it is only responsible to ensure that your pet does not contribute to the problem!
Make Time To Play With Your Cat
Kitties are really amusing pets. Fluffy has a unique ability to make us giggle simply by being herself. One of the reasons these little balls of fur are so enjoyable to have around is that they are so active and frisky. Your feline companion may look a bit foolish chasing that paper ball or catnip mouse around, but it’s serious business for her!
Our feline pals are both predators and prey in the wild. This makes for an intriguing combination of characteristics. Fluffy may be charming, spoiled, and, well, a little lethargic, but she is a hunter at heart. Pouncing, jumping, and batting at your ankles as you walk by are all hunting techniques she would do in the wild. It’s critical to let your feline friend express her inner lioness! (Plus, it’s really adorable to watch.)
Give your little companion plenty of fun toys and spend a few minutes each day playing with her. This does not need to be time-consuming. Simply keep a laser pointer or cat toy on hand near the spot where you like to relax and watch TV.
Playing has additional benefits as well. It’s fantastic for bonding and provides your pet with a safe, appropriate way to burn off excess energy.
Let Your Furball Snuggle With You
One of the many wonderful things about cats? They fit right in our laps! Many kitties simply want to feel loved and safe. It’s always adorable how often Fluffy starts her motor as soon as she gets in for some snuggle time.
Cuddling your furry pal benefits both of you. When you snuggle with your pet, you both release a particular hormone called oxytocin. This encourages feelings of love, safety, and happiness.
Allowing your kitty companion to sleep with you at night is optional. Fluffy can be perfectly healthy and content even if you don’t let her sleep in your room. Nonetheless, many kitties enjoy cuddling up with their people at night. Is this good for sleep? Well, that one’s a toss-up. On the one hand, having a purring cat curled up next to you can be really relaxing. A rambunctious kitty pouncing on your toes in the middle of the night? Not so much. (Tip: if your feline buddy is really playful at night, tire her out with a pleasant play session before bedtime.)
Give Your Kitty Good Food
Giving your feline friend nutritious food is the first step in providing good cat care. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but you should offer something appropriate for her health and age. Ask your Plano, TX veterinarian for particular guidance.
Make Fluffy A Furever Promise
When you adopt an animal, you’re ultimately agreeing to care for it for the rest of its natural life. Don’t take Fluffy in unless you’re prepared, willing, and capable of caring for her no matter what.
Provide Your Cat With Small Comforts
Cats are pretty easy to keep. While proper food, a clean litterbox, and regular medical treatment will take care of the basics, it’s also crucial to make your pet’s environment enjoyable and comfortable.
Simply giving Fluffy beds and scratching posts can go a long way. Your cat will also love a comfortable window seat. Cat towers are also fantastic since they serve as vantage posts, nail care stations, and jungle gyms for cats.
Don’t forget to give your furball the occasional empty box!
Visit Your Plano, TX Animal Hospital Regularly
We recommend that all kitties be microchipped, spayed or neutered, and kept up to date on vaccinations and parasite control. Regular checkups and screenings are also crucial since they can discover problems before symptoms arise. Follow your Plano, TX veterinarian’s recommendations for an appointment schedule.
We know, Fluffy would probably prefer taking a nap than stopping by to see us. We understand! Most kitties are homebodies. Our feline patients aren’t fond of car rides, either. In fact, the drive in to the veterinarian’s office is sometimes more stressful for cats than the actual appointments. However, adequate veterinary care is essential to Fluffy’s health and well-being.
It’s also critical to look for indicators of illness. Some of these symptoms include vomiting, fever, diarrhea, weight fluctuations, loss of appetite, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Always keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary for your furry friend, and call us right away if you notice anything strange. (We mean strange for your cat, not strange in general. Kitties are full of odd quirks!)
Make Fluffy Feel Loved
Last but not least, keep that motor running! Chat with your furry pal, pet her, and play with her. Our feline companions are actually quite emotional and can create strong ties with their owners. Pay close attention to your kitty pal. In our opinion, kitty purrs and cuddles are among the most valuable blessings of life!
Do you have any queries about caring for your kitty companion? Contact us at your Plano, TX pet hospital today!
