10 CAT-EXPERT APPROVED WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CAT HAPPY

We genuinely believe that a happy cat makes for a happy pawrent. When we domesticated cats long ago, we brought them indoors and conditioned them to live in our home environment. While they’re safer with us, they don’t spend as much time outdoors in their natural habitat. This also means that instead of chasing birds and bugs, and climbing trees, we need to find other ways to keep them entertained and happy. 

As Amy explained in our chat, cat happiness and health are linked. For example, active play is lots of fun for your kitty and helps them keep extra weight off. Mental stimulation is also im-paw-tant for our kitties, and getting your furbaby to use its brain and those hunting instincts will make your cat happy.

So, now is the part where you're probably asking yourself, "Is my cat happy?" This is a great question, and while the answer is probably yes, there will likely be some ways you can improve on this. Keep reading!

We love sharing pawsome cat tips for pawrents, and it's even better when we get to share knowledge from an expert like Amy. Let's jump right in!

Give Your Cat something to Climb

Cats love to climb and be up high. Even if you're in a small apartment, giving them something or somewhere they can do this is bound to boost their happiness levels. We’ve got a few cat tips for owners to try to add that height: 

• Clear some space on that high bookshelf of yours so that your cat can enjoy making its way up and down

• Invest in a tall cat tree if you prefer to keep your kitty off the furniture

• Use an old ladder and tie a few cat toys to some of the steps as a fun, affordable play area for your furbaby

Keep Delivery Boxes for your Cat

It's no secret that a delivery box can make the purrfect toy for your cat. Who knew something so simple could provide hours, or even days, of entertainment? If you love a bit of online shopping as much as we do, keep a box now and then to give to your cat to enjoy. Being able to explore and play with different packages will keep them busy. Depending in the size, you cat throw in a ball or mouse for cat games galore!

Feed your Cat Healthy, Delicious Food

Food is definitely near the top of the list of what makes a cat happy. While it's great to give your cat the occasional treat, ensuring that they are fed a healthy, nutritious diet will make cats feel good and ensure that they get all the nutrients they need for their bodies to work correctly.

Bring the Outside Indoors

Depending on where you call home, it might not be safe for your cat to have access to go outdoors as it pleases. This doesn't mean that your kitty can't still experience the wonders of nature. Something as simple as bringing fallen leaves inside and allowing your cat to smell and play with them is a fabulous way to enrich their indoor environment without spending a cent!

Make use of the Bath

One of Amy Shojai's cats had a love of playing with toys in an empty bathtub, and we adore this idea! Grab a ball or catnip toy, throw it in the bath, and allow your cat to explore this new way of playing. Not only does it contain the toy for more fun, but it also means cleaning up any mess is easy.

Embrace Nature

Have you let your cat watch Kitty TV on YouTube? If they've enjoyed it, why not create your own version at home? Put a bird feeder outside a window and watch your cat enjoy the sights of birds coming and going for hours! You can also open the window slightly when it's raining so that your furbaby can experience the smells and sounds of the weather. 

Create a Treat Treasure Hunt

Cats have a natural hunting instinct, but they might not get to use it as much when they're living indoors. One way you can get them to use this part of their brain is by hiding treats around your home so that your cat has to hunt them out if it wants to eat them. For pawsome cat games without toys, we'd suggest this activity!

Feed Your Cat with a Puzzle Feeder

If you're looking for a more exciting way to feed your cat, then a puzzle feeder is an excellent investment. You can get different types depending on what you think your cat will like best, but all to give your cat mental stimulation with a tasty reward at the end!

Invest in a Good Cat Scratcher

There's nothing like a good claw scratch to make for a happy cat! Having a lovely scratching post in your home provides a place for your furbaby to care for its claws and also prevents your furniture from being damaged. Spray the scratcher with a little catnip spray for maximum fun!

Give Your Cat Space!

If you have dogs or little ones, or even if your cat is an only pet, making sure they have a space just for them is key to their happiness. This is also generally the space where they will use the litter box or eat their food. Door Buddy's adjustable door strap can help you do this in your home with minimal effort!

If you've ever asked yourself, "is my cat happy?" then you're not alone! Here are a few giveaway signs that your feline is one happy kitty:

• Purring, chirruping, or meowing happily

• Eating regularly

• Grooming in front of you

• Making biscuits/kneading

• Using the litter box properly

• Playing

• Greeting you

• Arching their back when you pet them

• Putting their tail up

So, next time you're wondering, 'is my cat happy?', take note of their behavior at home as this will tell you what you need to know. If you think your cat might be acting a little odd, check out this blog post on five strange cat behaviors explained.

Thanks to some ameowzing tips from expert Amy Shojai, you're ready to make your cat's life as happy as paw-sibble, and we'd love to be a part of your journey. If you use our adjustable door strap to help give your cat space, don't forget to post about it on social media and tag us so we can see how Door Buddy works for your furmily!