Pet Expert Reveals How To Make Your Cat Feel Loved

Regular playtime

Image Source: Reddit

Cats are unique and independent creatures, but there are many ways you can show your love and affection for them. A great way to do this, is by engaging in regular playtime. This can include interactive play with toys like feather wands, or lazer pointers.

Petting and cuddling

Image Source: Reddit

Petting and cuddling is another typical way of showing your cat affection. Giving your cat gentle strokes and cuddles, whilst paying attention to their preferences for where/how they like to be touched, is the best way of giving your cat physical attention.

Provide a cozy bed

Image Source: Reddit

Your cat's bedding is just as important as your bedding. Offering a comfortable, warm and soft bed or blanket, for your cat to snuggle in, is a great way of building a stronger connection with your cat. This bond can be strengthened further, if you place the bedding/blanket in your bedroom.

Scratching posts

Image Source: Reddit

Scratching posts are a common item that cat owners purchase for their feline friends. Providing scratching posts and pads, will satisfy their natural scratching instincts. Scratching posts come in a variety of colors and styles, so you're bound to find something to suit the needs of your cat.

Grooming

Image Source: Reddit

Cats naturally groom themselves, but they do require regular brushing, in order to keep their coat clean and reduce shedding. Cat combs and brushes have a variety of uses, such as: removing fleas and ticks, regular brushing and fur thinning (for seasonal changes in their coat).

Treats

Image Source: Reddit

Cats should be given treats from time-to-time, and are a great way of reinforcing good behavior and habits. Offering occasional treats also makes your cat happy, as they feel valued and loved. Some popular cat treats are in the form of biscuits, but there are some in the form of meat-based sticks.

Safe outdoor exploration

 

Image Source: Reddit

If you have an outdoor area alongside your home, it can be very enriching for your cat to have time outside. If it is safe and possible, time outdoors should be supervised and take place in a secure area e.g. closed garden. This time outdoors can become less supervised, once your cat gets older and more confident with their surroundings.

Talk to your cat

 

Image Source: Reddit

Engaging in gentle conversation with your cat, will allow you to build a stronger bond with your cat. This form of conversation can range from positive words of affirmation, to sharing detail about your day etc. Despite the fact that your cat can't speak to you, they are emotionally intelligent animals.

Respect their personal space

Image Source: Reddit

Cats are often solitary animals, and it is important to respect their boundaries when they want to be alone. Cats will typically spend the majority of their time alone, and will seek out companionship, when they see fit. It is important not to disrupt them during their alone time, as this can cause them to react negatively.

Catnip toys

Image Source: Reddit

Catnip is a natural stimulant for cats, and is a great way of adding variety to playtime. A great way to do this is via catnip toys, which often contain catnip, or can have catnip added to them. The majority of cats love catnip toys, and they can provide hours of entertainment.

Provide a sunny spot

Image Source: Reddit

Cats love basking in the sun, and creating a sunny spot for them to lounge in, is the perfect way of showing your love for them. There are a range of great sun-lounger furniture options, including: cat trees, cat beds that can be attached to windows, beds and holders.

Toys and puzzle feeders

Image Source: Reddit

Offering toys and puzzle feeders to your cat, will help stimulate their mind and keep them active. Puzzle feeders are a great way of incorporating treats, and/or potential medication into your cat's food. This is due to their unique designs and shape, which require your cat to work for their food.

Routine

Image Source: Reddit

Cats thrive on routine, so it is important to keep feeding and playtimes consistent. Routine is a great way of showing your love and attention for your cat, as they are put at the centre of your daily activities and scheduling. Cats will often be aware of the times you set aside for feeding them.

Warmth in winter

Image Source: Reddit

Despite having a fur coat, cats can still feel colder weather. You can ensure they stay warm within the winter, by using cozy blankets and/or heated bedding. Cats will typically find certain spots, within you home, that attract the most warmth in the winter (and this is where they can be found sleeping etc.).

Hide-and-seek games

Image Source: Reddit

Hide-and-seek games are a great way of introducing variety into your cat's playtime. You can do this by hiding behind specific furniture, and peeking out to surprise them. You can combine this style of playtime with other toys e.g. feather wands, stuffed toys and small balls.

Safe window views

Image Source: Reddit

Cats are inquisitive creatures, and can typically be found sitting by or on window sills. Setting up a window perch, or bird feeder outside of your window, is a great way of entertaining your cat. This will keep their mind active, as well as their natural instincts, even when you're not at home.

Massage

Image Source: Reddit

Alongside petting and grooming, cats also enjoy massages, and it is a great way of deepening your bond with them. You should massage your cat gently, and pay attention to their preferences. For example, they may prefer their head being massaged, in comparison to their stomach.

Respect their food preferences

Image Source: Reddit

When it comes to their food, cats can be quite picky, and may require changes to their food from time-to-time. It is important to offer your cat a variety of foods, and cater to their taste preferences e.g. wet food and dry biscuits. It is important to take note of when they might be getting bored of their current food as well.

Provide fresh water

Image Source: Reddit

Ensure your cat has fresh and clean water at all times, especially if you are away from home e.g. working. Cats get most of their hydration from wet food, and their kidneys can withstand long durations without water, but they should have fresh water anyway (especially during the warmer months).

Respect their independence

Image Source: Reddit

As mentioned previously, cats are independent animals, and it is important to respect this independence. Yous should give your cat space when they require it, and allow them to approach you if/when they feel the need to. Cats will typically approach you when they want attention, playtime or feeding.

Safe exploration

Image Source: Reddit

Due to their inquisitive nature, cats enjoy exploring a range of different environments. You should allow your cat to explore new environments within your home, as long as they are supervised and safe. You can also rearrange their toys to add novelty to certain areas.

Regular vet visits

Image Source: Reddit

Keep up with regular veterinary check-ups, to ensure their health and well-being are in perfect condition. These check-ups will often allow you to stay on top of your cat's flea and tick treatments, as well as ensuring that your cat is maintaining a healthy growth rate/weight.

Praise and positive reinforcement

Image Source: Reddit

Offering your cat praise and positive reinforcement, gives them more incentive to exhibit good behavior. Praise can take on a range of forms, and can depend on your cat's preferences e.g. petting and grooming, brushing, massages and treating to them to some catnip.

Safe and fun toys

Image Source: Reddit

During playtime, it is important to provide safe and engaging toys, that mimic prey e.g. toy mice or fishing pole toys. Play can be enriched for your cat by using toys like this, as they stimulate their natural hunting instincts (within a safe and controlled environment).

Multi-cat playtime

Image Source: Reddit

If you have multiple cats, engaging in group play promotes bonding between them. This is great for cats of all ages, and allows both indoor and outdoor cats to play together. Group play also allows you to deepen your bond with your cats, whilst providing affection to your beloved pets.

Cat-friendly plants

Image Source: Reddit

If you're a lover of plants, it is important to take note of plants that are safe for your cat to be around. Some great examples are catnip or cat grass, as these are natural stimulants for your cat, and provide some indoor greenery for your home. These plants also only require small upkeep.

Music or white noise

Image Source: Reddit

Some cats, especially young kittens, experience a certain level of separation anxiety when they're left alone. A great way to help soothe this, is by playing them calming music and white noise. This can be played at low levels, so they aren't startled by any loud noises, and are able to relax.

Cat TV

Image Source: Reddit

Cat TV refers to videos that are created to entertain and stimulate cats' senses. The majority of these videos can be found on YouTube, and will usually contain animations of mice, fish or quick-moving shapes. This style of animation engages your cat's natural hunting instincts.

Cat-friendly furniture

Image Source: Reddit

Invest in cat-friendly furniture, such as cat trees or shelves, so your cat is free to climb around areas of your home. Some cats find it enriching for this kind of furniture to be placed within specific areas of the home e.g. places they rest/a certain room.

Respect their routine

Image Source: Reddit

It is important to pay attention to your cat's routine, and adapt their schedule if necessary. If your cat begins to reject certain feeding/playing times, you should try different schedule variations, in order to decipher what can work best for them.