Has the cuteness of your furry little feline friends melted your heart to the point that you want to bring them home?

We have put together a complete guide on cat-proofing your home before bringing in a new feline member. It also provides tips on making homes safer for existing cats. As you read on, you will know how we unknowingly miss out on some necessary safety measures that eventually put the cat at risk.

If you cannot go through the entire article, we have a checklist for creating a cat-safe home right here – Checklist to make your home safe and comfortable for cats

Why is it important to cat-safe your home?

Cats, in many ways, are similar to their wild ancestors. Comparatively, dogs are more domesticated. Thus, a cat’s needs differ from that of a dog. Think like a cat to have a cat-friendly house. Cats, by nature, are asocial animals. Thus, it is difficult for some to adjust to a home environment. If your cat has been with you since a very young age, she may have better adapted to the indoor environment along with your busy schedule. However, if you have taken in a stray adult cat, her expectations are different. Thus, adjusting to the new home environment (possibly with other cats) is a struggle for her. The needs and expectations of different cats may differ based on their surroundings and association with you. By following the tips given in this article, you can give your cat a chance to live happily in your cat-safe home.

Our aim here is to create a cat-safe home where your cat survives and thrives. Focus on your cat’s mental and emotional well-being with physical health. We can take care of our cats’ physical health with on-time vaccinations, nutrition, and good litter habits. Mental wellness comes with active playtime. A cat feels emotionally enriched when there is sufficient human companionship and the surety of being in a safe and secure space.

We can put all these requirements in their order of importance, as suggested by Battersea, to better understand where to begin and how to follow the next steps.

The requirements for all these stages differ for different cats based on their breed, temperament, immunity, emotional, mental and physical state. While following this guide, observe your cat’s specific requirements and plan accordingly. For example, a cat with health issues such as digestive disorders will require a special nutrition-filled food supplement, while other healthy cats will need well-balanced food. Similarly, a bold and confident cat will require lesser push to adjust to the environment than a timid cat.

1) Basic Needs – Food & Water, Litter, Health

The essential needs of a cat are food, water, a safe place to pass stools and urine, and freedom from diseases.

FOOD

Food products – Purchase high-quality and nutrition-filled cat or kitten food based on your cat’s age. Before buying any pet food – kibble (dry food), semi-moist, or wet food, read the cat food label and cross-check if it has any toxic ingredients for cats. Invest time in learning about the rules set by AAFCO for pet food manufacturers to follow when labeling products. Knowing how to read cat food labels will help you make informed decisions regarding the food you buy for your cats. We recommend avoiding the following ingredients.

• BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
• BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
• Carrageenan
• Glucose / Dextrose
• Ethoxyquin
• Glyceryl Monostearate
• Propylene Glycol
• Iron Oxide
• Meat By-Products
• Meat & Bone Meal
• Food Coloring
• Titanium Dioxide
• Wheat and Corn Gluten
• Caramel

Here is a list of food products that are safe for cats compared to other “marketing-gimmick” filled products in the market.

If you want the best for your cat, try to procure human-grade food. I will not disagree that it is expensive, but it is also worth every penny because it is much more rigorously regulated than foods made for animals. However, it is unfortunate that nearly all pet food products available commercially are feed-grade (waste products of the human food industry). So, it would help if you did some research to find the best human-grade food manufacturers available in your area.

Food bowls and dishes – Choosing suitable food bowls for your cat’s convenience is essential. We recommend avoiding plastic food bowls as bacteria and oil build up in the plastic material. Go for shallow and wide bowls as cats are sensitive to the feel of the dish around their whiskers. Keep separate food bowls for every cat in your house. Do not locate the food bowls near the litter boxes. And practice good hygiene with their food bowls by cleaning them regularly. Here is a list of food bowls and dishes.

Puzzle Feeders – Instead of food bowls, you can also consider puzzle feeders to challenge your cats to work for their food. Puzzle feeders boost their mental health and increase their physical exercise rate. These are a great buy, especially for indoor cats, as they lack sufficient activity, and a sedentary lifestyle might open the door for health problems like cat obesity.

Location of feeding – Along with the quality food and food bowls, choosing the right place to feed your cat is also essential. In a multi-cat household, you shouldn’t place two food bowls next to each other as cats prefer eating in solitary, away from other cats. Also, you will not want to stress them out while eating, which is common if cats develop negative memories around the food bowl.

WATER

On average, a cat should consume 60mls/kg per day of water. A 5kg cat should drink approximately 300mls a day (approximately over a cup) to ensure its body functions properly. In hot weather, the need for water will naturally increase—the given number changes as per the cat’s diet. If the diet includes more wet or canned food, then the need for water intake will be less. 

Dry food contains about 10% water, and wet/ canned food contains about 80% water. If a 5kg cat’s diet contains only dry food, then they need to consume at least 200 ml of water per day, and if the diet includes solely canned/wet food, then the requirement will be about 40ml per day.

If your cat looks dehydrated, taking her to a veterinarian is the best step to rule out any underlying concerns. Dehydration in cats is a serious concern. Thus, it is essential to ensure that your water is clean and stored in accessible containers. Change the water regularly as a film of dust develops over the surface if you keep it for long, and the cat will refuse to consume it. Drinking water from containers is an acquired habit for cats. Being carnivores, they depend on food for moisture and other nutrients in the wild. So, they are not naturally inclined to look for water. If not readily available, they might give up on it, and once dehydration sets in, it will be more challenging to manage the situation. If you suspect your cat is dehydrated, gently pinch and lift the skin between her shoulder blades to make a tent. Let it go and check if the skin goes back to normal within less than a second. If it doesn’t, your cat might be dehydrated and needs medical attention. 

Even if cats rely on food for moisture, it is possible they do not get an adequate amount if the diet majorly contains dry food. Thus, providing a fresh water supply is essential. Some cat parents prefer providing running tap water, which is not a bad option, but tap water might contain odors and tastes that your cats might not like. While some cats do not mind still water, others will tap the water and mess up because they prefer water in motion. Considering this aspect, water fountains can be a great solution for your cat-safe home. Our favorite is Goofy Tails Cat H2O Water Fountain. It is an automatic water dispenser for cats and comes with a dental care tablet. It has a surface skimmer that aerates water to ensure crystal clear water keeping the surface free from saliva and slime. 

In the wild, it is observed that cats drag their food sources away from water sources. Thus, it is safe to assume that they might not want their water fountain/bowl kept too close to food. Therefore, place your water source in a different location, away from food bowls. 

Now that we have some information about food and water, let’s move on to the next vital aspect of a cat’s health – Litter and Litter Boxes. 

LITTER

Litter boxes are more than bathroom spaces for cats. They are their sacred spots which they prefer sharing only with loved ones. Kittens often love playing inside the litter boxes when the litter is fresh, and the box is clean. Conversely, when the box is dirty, they refuse to enter and defecate or urinate outside the box. 

Follow litter box best practices and keep your cat healthy to avoid such episodes. How many litter boxes? 1 litter box per cat + 1 – that’s the golden thumb rule. An extra box gives a cat the liberty to use it when the other one is occupied. 

• Choose a litter box large enough for your cat to move comfortably – at least one-and-a-half times the length of a cat. 
• Different types of litter boxes are available in the market – open, closed, self-cleaning (automatic), and more complex ones but studies do not show any cat preference towards the type of litter boxes – open or closed. However, an open litter tray works very well as it is lightweight, easy to clean, and has a rim that prevents the litter from being thrown out of the box easily.
• Place a mat beneath every litter box to clean the area easily if litter spills out.
• Use unscented, clumping litter with medium to fine texture.
• Choose a scoop that is sturdy enough to last long. 
• Most available in the market break, eventually. We use a large metal cat litter box scoop that is slightly expensive, but considering that it will last a long time; it is worth the buy. 
• Pick a quiet place free of disturbance and obstacles to place your cat’s litter box. But this place should be such from where your cat can see you.
• If you live in a multistorey apartment, place a litter box on every level. You do not want your cat to keep rushing for the litter box when in need.
• Clean the litter boxes thrice a day and change your cat’s litter at least once in two weeks. Rinse the litter box thoroughly with unscented soap or baking soda at least once a month. Avoid scented cleaners, making it difficult for the cat to identify the litter box and be comfortable with it. 
• Pay special attention to your cats’ litter box behavior. If you feel your cats are jumping out of the box too quickly or refusing to use it, they might have developed a negative association because of another cat attacking them while they were in the box, or maybe they saw something scary. You will need professional help with a counterconditioning program if you suspect this. 

We have a detailed article on how to effectively prevent cat litter box problems, where you will learn about the different reasons your cat may excrete outside and related health issues. 

HEALTH

Essential medical care and some daily healthy habits will help you keep your cat in good shape and also give your cat a chance to live her life to the fullest. 

Vaccination: The first line of defense for cats against any disease is vaccination. Ensure all required vaccinations are taken care of. The type of vaccines depends on your cat’s lifestyle. Usually, cats are given vaccination doses for protection against rabies, the panleukopenia virus, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and feline leukemia virus. 

Immunity Building: While vaccinations are a must to save your cats from life-threatening diseases, there are cases where despite being vaccinated on time, cats have been attacked by diseases like the panleukopenia virus. We are personally experienced in this matter because one of our family cats became severely ill after being exposed to the virus, despite getting vaccinated. The veterinarian suggested that probably the cat’s immunity is weak, due to which he couldn’t stop the virus from wreaking havoc in his system. It is absolutely essential to bolster your cat’s immunity by providing supplements, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients in the form of a healthy diet as prescribed by your veterinarian. 

Neutering (spaying) your cat: Let’s face it – there are not enough homes for the cats that are up for adoption. 3.4 million cats enter shelters every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Neutering is a way of reducing overpopulation and letting cats live healthier lives. Spay your female cats before they enter their heat cycle (estrous cycle). This will reduce her likeliness of developing cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. Other diseases that develop from cats’ natural mating behavior are feline leukemia and feline AIDS. It is sensible to help male cats reduce their natural urge to fight over mates and risk lives. Furthermore, from a cleanliness perspective, if you do not want your male cat to keep spaying their urine on surfaces and leaving a pungent odor, get them neutered. 

Your vet will let you know the exact age when you need to get your cat neutered. It is mostly done when a cat is about to mature sexually. Indications of a female cat going into an estrous cycle are vaginal bleeding, demand for too much attention, frequent urination (marking) – the pheromones and hormones act as signals to attract male cats, more vocal than usual, restlessness, low crawling, and moaning (most cat owners think of this as pain), excessive grooming, sticks her buttocks in the air and moves her tail to one side – mating position.

Regular Brushing: Regularly brushing your cat’s teeth will help remove tartar buildup. Daily brushing is recommended, but if that is not possible, at least thrice a week is essential. We have put together a blog on decoding bad breath in cats. This will help you understand how you can keep your cat’s teeth clean (if you have a kitten, start early to develop this habit). It also sheds light on underlying conditions that necessitate an immediate vet visit. 

Balanced Food: Refrain from including only dry food in your cat’s diet. It contains too many carbs, which does no good for cats when consumed in large amounts. A healthy balance of raw meat, wet/canned food, and kibble (dry food) is recommended. We personally serve wet food to our cats for breakfast, follow up with some dry food for meals, serve some raw food during late evenings, and again wet food before bedtime. We have made this routine after examining our cat’s weight, hydration level, and natural inclination towards some types of food. All these food products contain meat as the main ingredient. This is essential because cats are obligate carnivores and rely on meat as the foundation of their diet.  

Pay attention to litter box habits: This is an essential aspect of healthy living for cats. A cat’s poop can tell you a lot about her health. A typical cat’s poop is deep brown in color, not too hard, soft or mushy (a good mix of them all), and doesn’t smell too foul (don’t expect it to smell aromatic, some odor is natural). Do not hesitate to examine your cat’s poop, as early intervention can save your cat’s life. Look for signs of worms, blood, mucus, etc. If you come across any, contact your veterinarian immediately. The problem could be anything from diarrhea that lasts for 24 to 48 hours to something as lethal as cancer.  

Now that we are aware of cats’ fundamental needs, let us move up the pyramid and look at the aspects of Safety, Security, and Love. 

2) Safety, Security, and Love

SAFETY & SECURITY

Only your cat can teach you how to make the house safe and secure for her. It will come to you with close observation. Follow your cats wherever they go and test for possibilities that might get your cat in trouble. This is not a one-day job, so keep at it. Here are some tips to get you started:

Arrange grills and strong nets for your balconies: Grills are a must when you have cats. You cannot have an open balcony and expect your cat not to try something dangerous. Even if your balconies have grills, your cat may escape from between the gaps. Hence, barricading grills with strong anti-bird nets will save the cat from jumping out and the birds who try entering the premise thinking it’s a secure place and get trapped with your obligate carnivore cat. 

Pool safety: If your cats have easy access to the swimming pool in your backyard, a dip into the pool for your adventurous cat can quickly become tragic. To keep her safe, either you can restrict her access to the pool or teach your cat to swim. The latter option is tricky but better as your cat probably needs it to save herself one day. Instructables Living has a step-by-step guide to help you teach your cat to swim. 

Gaps are fun, not traps: The space between furniture shouldn’t feel like a trap for your kitten/cats. It should be enough for them to easily pass, as they will go to every corner of your house. If you cannot increase the gap, block it so your cat doesn’t enter and feels trapped. 

Hide cords: We tend to leave cables hanging behind the computer desks/ television/ or any electrical gadgets. Cats smartly find them and chew on them. Clumsy kittens can tangle in the cords and hurt themselves while creating a complete mess with the cables. You can hide the wires with a cord concealer available at hardware stores. 

Strings, threads, yarn balls, and floss are fun but risky: Play with your cat using strings, threads, and gift ribbons by all means, but do not leave it open, as your cats might try playing with it and get entangled. There are cases of cats swallowing strings and suffering indigestion because of the foreign body in their system. Only surgery could save them. The strings can cut through the intestines and put a cat’s life in danger if not removed in time. Similar problems could happen even if your cat swallows a long strand of hair. 

Sharp object? Lock ‘Em Up: Keep needles, knives, tools, or any sharp object in closed containers out of your cat’s reach. Trim fraying carpets as your cat might scratch them and chew on them, ultimately consuming some sharp particles. These small particles can ruin a cat’s system.

Never leave household chemicals lying uncovered: Cats lack some liver enzymes that impact their liver metabolism, making them more sensitive to drugs and chemicals. Look for insecticides, household cleaners (sanitizers, phenyls, bleach, other cleansers), human/pet drugs, syrups, incense sticks, pot-pourri, essential oils (wintergreen, oil of sweet birch, citrus oil (d-limonene), pine oils, Ylang Ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, pennyroyal oil, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil). Jewelry contains a bitter-tasting chemical called dibutyl phthalate that can make your cat drool plentifully.

Keep medicines only in closed containers: Some medications that often poison cats are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen that can damage your cat’s kidneys. Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) such as Dolo or Tylenol damages red blood cells, and antidepressants such as Citalopram or Escitalopram may cause vomiting and blood pressure. It is safe to assume that no medicine can be left uncovered, whether a human drug or a pet drug. If consumed mistakenly, it can lead to fatal health problems in cats. 

Poisonous plants: We love decorating our homes with plants and flowers, but some of them may not go down too well with your cats – not that they won’t chew on them, but they can turn out to be quite toxic. ASPCA states that the following plants can endanger your cat’s life – Lilies, Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Tulips and Daffodils, Sago Palms, Cannabis Sativa, Oleander, Castor Bean, Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Yew, Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Chrysanthemum, English Ivy, Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum), Pothos, and Schefflera.

Small objects: Cats learn about objects around them by smelling and tasting them. Once objects are in their mouth, they cannot spit them out easily as cats have inward-facing barbs. Hence, they end up swallowing them. If these small objects enter their system and block their tract, their condition worsens rapidly. It is even more important that you pay attention to small objects lying around because it is easy to miss them – easy for you, not the cats. Look at objects such as clips, pins, needles, parts of toys, jewelry, etc. 

Plastic bags: Cats love playing with plastics, possibly due to their sound or how it flies around. But while playing, cats lose track of how they get more and more stuck in it. They might easily get their head stuck and run around the house to escape. This can be a dangerous situation, so avoid keeping plastics lying on the floor.

Kitchen safety: The kitchen is that one place where your cat would love to follow you often, primarily because of the different aromas she gets to smell. Adventurous cats will jump on the kitchen platform and poke their nose in everything around. If you leave anything unattended, like a hot pan or sharp utensils, your cat might knock it off and injure herself while creating a mess in the kitchen. 

Washing Machine safety: If your washing machine makes a loud noise, your cat might avoid going near it as they hate loud noises. However, cats who are too familiar with the environment will want to try their hands on everything. They might even hide inside the washing machine. Keep the doors of your washing machine closed, but before that, ensure that your cat has not made it their hiding place. 

Renovating/painting your home? Keep cats away: Dedicate a safe room to your cats if you have painting or renovating work happening at your house. There are four key reasons for doing this – 

1. Paint fumes are not safe for cats. Thus, try to use zero VOC paint products.
2. Cats hate commotion and strangers, which is common during renovation. If you do not want to stress them out, give them their comfort room to which only their loved ones have access.
3. They might intake plastics, paints, loose cords, and other chemicals lying unattended, and you know this is dangerous.
4. Why do you want cats to spoil the newly painted walls? Trust me; they will.

The safe room should have litter boxes, water, and food bowls kept at different corners. Even after the painting is done, ensure that the house is safe (no sharp objects, chemical remnants, small objects, broken glass pieces, etc.).

Taking your cat for a walk? Prevent her from touching toxic/unhealthy stuff: Our curious cats want to smell and taste everything they are interested in, but this might get them into trouble, especially outdoors. Inside the house, you have control over the environment, but out there, you do not know what your cat might consume. For instance, when I take my cat Zuzu for a walk, she does her best to go near a dog poop and smell it. I have to be quite attentive and stop her from doing this as diseases spread through feces. 

Keep a tab on weather conditions: Like us, cats’ preferences for clothing, comfort, and food change with changing weather. Cats love to be in warm spots. You might have seen them basking in the sun happily. Diet plays a key role in body temperature regulation. In cold weather, make dietary changes to help your cat stay warm. A diet rich in protein will help with this. Increasing the portion size a bit is also useful to ensure sufficient fat content. In warm weather, provide fresh and cool water. We usually keep wet food cans in a refrigerator and then keep them at room temperature for some time before feeding cats. We have seen that they prefer eating slightly cool wet food in warmer climatic conditions. A water fountain will also help with a constantly fresh, cool water supply for your cats. However, before doing any of this, consult your vet, as making any dietary changes may suddenly impact your cat’s health. Provide comfortable, warm beds in cold conditions. Give them a chance to sleep with you if they like it. You might also want to groom your cats regularly to keep their fur healthy. 

Plant cat-friendly plants: Cats are obligate carnivores – agreed! But sometimes, they like chewing on some types of grass and plants to aid digestion or simply for their taste. Wheatgrass, basil, lemongrass, oat grass, barley, thyme, rye are safe plants for cats. Read more about these plants here. 

Accidents at home: We have heard of many cases where the cat parents accidentally locked their cats inside or outside the house or left them in unsafe places like washing machines, kitchen cabinets, or wardrobes. A cat who loves you and seeks your attention will follow you everywhere and be in awkward positions, locked for hours. While food and water might not be a significant concern if it is a matter of hours, the need to visit their litter box will be. Thus, make it a habit to double-check before locking any door and keep a check on your cat every time you remember it, at least once every hour (if you are at home). Even if you left your cat in an awkward position mistakenly, you could get your cat out of it as soon as possible. If you are not at home, having a CCTV camera truly helps to keep a tab on your cat’s daily activities while you are away. Bioxo Pet Monitor Camera is a full 1080 HD video camera with industry’s first 3D panoramic navigation. You can monitor even nighttime activities at home if you are away. 

Create a harmonious multi-cat family: If you have multiple cats at home, reducing conflicts will become your prime responsibility. While you want to do all you can, you need to know that you can do only this much. You will gradually understand when to step in and when to let them be. Cats like to control their environment; thus, having a new member is equal to disturbing their peace. Start by introducing them patiently. 

• Give them individual territories to feel more confident and not feel left out. 
• Keep them separated but start introducing them slowly by smell. Exchange the clothes and blankets you have used for your cats to familiarize them with their scents. Let them smell each other on you. 
• Provide separate food bowls, litter boxes, and water bowls to every cat and place these at different locations. Cats prefer being alone while eating, drinking, and using litter boxes. 
• Follow the golden litter box rule – 1 litter box per at + 1. The additional box will help when a dominating one bullies a timid one. 
• Create hiding spots – Every cat will probably choose their own spots and want no one to disturb them. Observe what these spots are and let your cats be wherever they want to be. You will notice that whenever a stranger enters, your timid cat will run to this hiding spot of hers and not come out till the stranger has gone away. It also provides a feeling of familiarity and comfort to your cat – not threatening her existence. 
• It might take months for cats to accept each other. You will sometimes have to be okay with it because they are at least co-existing without fights. There could be cases where they like each other and do not mind playing, grooming, or sharing food. When you realize your cats tolerate each other, play with them and give them love without being biased because cats tend to feel jealous if they think their human is not paying attention to them. 

With that, let us look at another essential need of a domestic cat – love from their hoomans!

LOVE

As you and your cat don’t speak the same language, exchanging needs, feelings, emotions are slightly tricky. But with time, you realize that you probably understand what your cat needs as the communication through eyes and touch makes a big difference. It is also possible that we think that our way of expressing love is okay for our cats, but maybe we are not really reading the signs right.

Your cat keeps giving you signals through her tail movement, meows, eyes, and other body postures to make you understand what she wants, but you need to educate yourself to read these signs properly so that you don’t end up harming your cat without even knowing it. Also, love knows no bounds.

So, out of sheer love, we tend to spoil our cats by giving them food they like. Hardly do we know that sometimes cats eat more than required because they do not have anything else to do. Stress eating, eating out of boredom are clear ways of making your cat obese. So, should you really spoil your cat out of love?

I believe the best way to show your love to your cat is by being there for her, addressing every basic need of your cat, and treating her as a child rather than a pet. Experts have put together a few signs that can help bridge the communication gap between you and your cat –

Slow blinks: When your cat ‘slow blinks’ at you, she is giving an indication of being relaxed and comfortable. You can slow blink back at her to send a similar message.

Provide comfortable beds and sitting areas: The moment you bring in some soft, comfortable, and new (on which no cat has been) bed-like furniture, your cat will want to jump on it and own it as she loves clean, comfortable spaces to sleep on or just chill on.

Snuggle her: While most cats do not like to cuddle much, you will find some who will demand to snuggle. My cat Mira is over the moon when I snuggle her, pet her, give her kisses. It is all so evident from her slow blinks, tail held up high in the air, and content and cute face.

Play, Play, and Play: Playing is one of the best ways of showing your cat love and also keeping her in good shape. Make her run, chase a feather, jump high, explore places (under your supervision), use interactive toys, work to get food (puzzle feeders), and tire her to a level where she wants to do nothing but go for good night sleep. 2 session of 15 minutes each is all you need.

Do not leave your cats alone for too long: You might think that cats prefer being alone and are indifferent towards most things, but it is just not true. When you call out their names, they might not look at you directly and immediately, but their ears become alert, tails move, and sometimes they will give you a look from the corner of their big round eyes. Cats develop a natural bond with their humans, and they love being around them. Your cats follow you less for food and more for love. Their constant meows indicate that they want you around them and to make life interesting. Cats have their special moments when they want you around, loving. If you oblige, you have made a furry friend for life.

We have put together some fun and interesting ways in which you can show you’re your love and make her feel confident.

3) Predictability, Choice & Control

Felines hunted mice and rats for farmers, and in return, we provided food and protection. That’s how cats and humans started co-existing. Even if we consider cats as our string-chaser and lap-sitter pets and decide to train them to live at our convenience, cats haven’t given up on their freedom and choices completely. They have acquired their natural instincts of hunting, night vision, and being territorial from their ancestors belonging to the wild. Being solitary hunters, cats are not too good with social cues. Thus, it sometimes becomes stressful for your cats to connect with your energies, whether negative or too positive. While they tend to adjust with us, they prefer to have a ‘meow’ in the matter and also control the conditions whenever possible.

Despite the mutual decision of co-existence, cats might sometimes think humans to be huge and unpredictable apes, as mentioned by Tony Buffington, a veterinarian at Ohio State University. If you look at the situation from a cat’s perspective, they might find most things we do unpredictable, especially if we have too many mood swings like suddenly shouting or throwing pillows during an argument with our partners or sleeping for a little too long, or forgetting to feed them on time due to busy schedules or forgetfulness. For cats, routines are extremely important. They do not like surprises. Disturbance can cause behavioral problems in cats. Aggression and stress are not common to their personality. They develop it because of the unpredictable environment around them.

They would like to be free from perceived dangers. They want their home to feel the same each day. Thus, even when you decide to bring in new furniture, a new cat, new humans, or renovate the house in some way, give time to your cats to accept them. There won’t be much of a problem with new furniture as cats would like to explore them and gradually own them, but with new cats and humans, they might take time.

Disliking an unpredictable, unstable environment is a key element of your cat’s psyche that helps you understand all the other aspects related to her behavior. Changes could be of any type. For instance, if you regularly foster animals for short periods, bringing them home (even if they are kept in crates) will upset your cats. Similarly, cats can get upset with human guests who visit your home often. Some cats might like making new human friends and approach them for love, while others might run to their hiding spots the moment your doorbell rings and come out only when the guest has left.

If you plan to throw a party or invite an unusually large number of guests, ensure that your cats are not bothered by them when you are busy hosting the guests. I have personally noticed a very strange human behavior. When some humans (adult or children) do not get expected attention from pets, they feel insulted and tend to cause some sort of harm, either by aggressively petting your cat/ dog, playing music in loud volume, running suddenly after them, or doing some sort of mischief which is definitely not appreciated by your pets. Pay special attention to such possibilities and respect your pet’s privacy.

In my observation, human kids and cats can be great friends only if kids do not consider cats as toys for playing but creatures with feelings and freedom of choice. It is in the hands of adults to introduce pets to their kids with utmost responsibility while ensuring that none from two get hurt due to any sort of negligence or skirmish. Some kids fear cats, while others love playing with them. But the energy levels of over-enthusiastic kids can sometimes be too disturbing for cats.

It is important for elders to teach kids to respect a cat’s space, likes/dislikes, moods, and emotions. They should know how to handle a cat, how to pet them, where to touch them and how much pressure to apply while petting them. Only because a kid wants to play with a cat, you shouldn’t compel your cat to give in, even if the kid throws a tantrum. Instead, you should explain it to the little one in a way that s/he understands and starts respecting an animal’s space. Patience is the key here. If you successfully teach the child to have patience while befriending a pet, you are sowing the seeds of empathy and benevolence in the child’s psyche, and s/he will definitely grow up to be better, caring, and compassionate human.

If you really want to train your cats to do something for their own good, make sure to be consistent with the practice. Even with training, the aspects of predictability and stability are crucial. How else will cats know what you expect them to do? Consistently reinforcing a desired behavior by rewarding it is the best way to make life easier for cats.

You can keep your home environment predictable for cats and give them the much-deserved freedom to feel valued and loved. Here are a few tips:

• Be consistent with feeding – feed your cats every day, at the same time
• Place food dishes, water bowls/ fountains, litter trays at the same undisturbed location.
• Provide hiding spaces (mostly, they will choose it, and you will have to respect their choices). These hiding spaces can be made comfortable for cats by placing soft, warm clothes, and toys and ensuring that the environment is quiet.
• Change litter completely once a month and clean all the litter boxes thoroughly with baking soda or unscented soap, however, do not clean all litter boxes at the same time. Make sure at least one box is available for cats to use when in need.
• Let your cat choose the litter she prefers. Preference goes back to what they had used when they were kittens.
• You cannot replicate an external environment at home but adding a few things (multiples of them) will aid your cat’s mental and physical health – more and more hiding spots made out of cardboard boxes, vertical spaces such as cat trees, shelves, and window ledges will let your cat get a full view of any dangers it suspects. Options for food will get the boredom out of their lives. And interactive toys will add extra zeal to their otherwise inactive indoor lives.
• Show consistently in petting and handing them. Do not do this as per your mood swings – being suddenly aggressive will put your cat under undue stress.
• If you want them to get into a habit of brushing, do not start suddenly one day by putting a brush with toothpaste in your cat’s mouth. You will have to make your cat comfortable with the concept of cleaning/ brushing teeth and gums. A slow and steady introduction to toothpaste and brush is essential, and then continuing the practice on a regular basis is also important. Read this blog to understand how to ensure good dental health for your cats.
• Be consistent in providing access to rooms or places where you can allow your cats to be. For instance, I do not let my cat climb our kitchen platform for hygiene purposes. If I usually allow her and suddenly one day stop doing it, the cat will obviously be puzzled. But if I am consistent in stopping her from climbing the kitchen platform, it registers in her psyche that this is not expected out of her. So, even if sometimes my cats climb up out of sheer curiosity, she gets down immediately, knowing that I will not like it.
• Loud noises, especially firecrackers, can make your cat anxious and fearful. During festivals like Diwali in India, if you notice that your cat fears firecrackers, try to reduce its intensity by shutting the windows. If your cat desires to stay in her hiding spot, let her be. And if she demands your company, act as per her desires. This will help build mutual trust and bond.
• If you decide to renovate your house completely, retain a few things with which your cats are connected. By rubbing against furniture and humans, cats deposit special pheromones that help them familiarize themselves with the environment and reassure safety. Changing everything suddenly will baffle your cats and disrupt their peace.
• Scratching is not a destructive behavior but a way for cats to keep their claws in good condition. Thus, providing special objects for scratching like scratching posts, toys, or even cardboard boxes should suffice.

4) Social, Emotional, and Mental Stimulation

All the levels of the pyramid that we looked at till now impact this last level – a cat’s social, emotional, and mental state of mind. This is placed at the end because without taking care of the basic needs (food, water, litter, health), you cannot help a cat with her emotional needs.

SOCIAL STIMULATION

Before delving into this topic, understand that each cat is unique and has different social needs. If you want your cat to behave in a certain manner, train her with positive reinforcements but do not expect immediate results. Trial and errors and constant observation are keys to being successful in this case. 

Being solitary creatures, cats won’t mostly mind a lack of social connections. However, a disconnect with the humans they love will definitely affect them. Not just humans, it is seen that cats from the same litter and some from different litters are emotionally connected to each other. 

EMOTIONAL STIMULATION

If your cat has suffered trauma, fear, anxiety, and depression, disorders will follow and make her life worse. Something as simple as forcing cats out of their hiding spots will disturb their emotional state of mind. 

A cat’s personality develops based on the incidents in her life since birth. If you decide to get an adult stray cat home, understand that she might not behave like your indoor cats who have been with you since they were kittens. In the outside world, the stray adult cat might have experienced a lot that you are not aware of. If the cat has been tortured by a human or chased by a dog when she was a kitten, it will be difficult for her to accept these species readily. Conversely, if a kitten has been lucky enough to have not faced any adverse episodes, her connection with humans and other animals after growing older will be more accepting. 

Whatever be the case, if you have accepted the responsibility of a cat, you must observe her behavior around others to understand her emotional state. Express love whenever possible to give her the confidence that she is in safe hands. At your end, you can make sure that the already timid cat is not bullied by others at your house. If you notice that your otherwise healthy cat has suddenly started excreting outside the litter box, this could be a sign of fear and anxiety. Instead of disowning her for her undesirable behavior, analyze the root causes of the behavior and work on correcting them. The litter box accidents could be a sign of negative association with the litter box, which happens when the cat has experienced something wrong while she was using the litter box. We have put together an article to help you understand the various reasons due to which your cat might be defecating or urinating outside the box. If the reason is based on her emotions, then you need professional support with a counterconditioning program.

MENTAL STIMULATION

The once spry kitten brains can become weaker and weaker as they grow older. Vetstreet states that cats over the age of 15 can develop feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD), a cat version of Alzheimer’s disease. If hit by this disease, the cat can be disoriented, often cry, feel lost in the otherwise familiar house, get stuck in corners, excrete outside the litter box, shun other cats with whom she has grown up, and also ignore you. Heartbreaking, isn’t it? Here are some ways in which you can keep your cat’s brain young for as long as possible. 

• Despite being the last in the pyramid, the need for mental stimulation must be met from the cat’s young age. If you start early, you can slow down the process of mental aging. 
• Enrich her days with fun activities. The importance of regular playing is as important as providing food, now that you think of it. 
• At all costs, avoid obesity in cats. Getting her to move and making her apply her mind to achieve something desirable is the best way to keep her in shape. If you live in a multistorey apartment, place the food bowl on the top floor and get your cat to climb the stairs to get to the bowl. 
• Cat Television can be created for your cat’s viewing pleasure. This literally means a window from which your cat can see interesting sights like birds (as you place bird feeders). 
• Do not ignore your cat’s demands for playing, attention, or wanting to do something fun. 
• Reward-train: It helps them remember what is expected. 
• Treasure Hunt: Place small pieces of treats or food your cats love in different places. Let them use their senses to search for their food. 
• Puzzle toys: Invest in these toys as they act as brain-teasers for your cats.
• Predatory play can make them think fast, move fast, and reach their prey.
• Laser pointers help to keep cats fit by making them chase the pointer wherever it goes. 
• Indoors are safer and hence more preferred by cat parents. If you incorporate the suggestion given to keep the house safe and add some zing to your home, indoors can act as an external environment for building a cat’s mental health. As mentioned before, puzzle feeders will get them to move and reduce the risk of obesity. It also makes the cat think to get the desired outcome as food. 
• If possible, provide access to a safe outdoor environment. There is a lot in the outdoor world that your cats cannot experience indoors, such as exciting sights, birds, breeze, actual trees – not cat trees, smells, textures, sounds, etc. These elements help cats with mental stimulation while keeping them fit and energetic. But understand that the outdoor environment is riskier, so let your cat explore the stimulating outdoors under your supervision. 

If you love your cat and want her to have a healthy and fun life, try out various means to meet these ends. If you have a kitten, you have an opportunity to start early and provide her with all-rounded support to thrive. Instead, if you have an adult cat, start right away and patiently follow the suggestions to make your home environment safe and enriched for your cat to thrive.