Many people think of cats as highly independent creatures that pretty much take care of themselves. Actually, cats need much more than food, water and an occasionally-cleaned litter box to truly thrive in your home.

If your cat is creating trouble around your house, scratching furniture and walls, lounging around getting fat, or not using the litter box, then you and your cat are probably not happy together.  Follow these five tips to make life happier for both you and your cat.

Tip #1:  Provide plenty of clean litter boxes!  Imagine if you only flushed your toilet every time you cleaned your cat's litter box.  How would you feel about using your toilet?  Cleaning your cat's box at least once daily is necessary for your cat to feel comfortable using it. Depending on the type of cat litter you use, your box should be emptied and washed out whenever it gets stained, or at least once monthly.  After a while, plastic litter boxes will begin to hold urine and stool odors and bacteria, so you should get new litter boxes two or three times a year. 

For households with multiple cats, the rule of thumb is to have one litter box for each cat plus one extra, in different locations around the house. Litter boxes should be large enough for your cat to get in the box comfortably and turn around without having to squeeze or step out. Different cats prefer different types of cat litter, so you may want to try several different litter boxes lined up, each with a different type of litter.  Buy the one your cat likes best.  The best litter boxes are big, clean, easily accessible, have our cat's favorite litter, and are in a quiet spot.
 
Tip #2:  Encourage scratching behavior in the right places. In cats, scratching is a normal behavior.  They do it to mark territory, to stretch their muscles and to clean and sharpen their claws.  If you don't provide good places for them to scratch, they will find their own!

You can purchase or make upright scratching posts and pads covered with carpet or sisal rope. You can also use horizontal scratching pads made from sisal, cardboard, or carpet.  Some cats will really enjoy scratching a large log or a piece of firewood. If you have carpets, try using scratching posts made from something other than carpet.

Using catnip on a new scratching post will encourage your cat to use it.  Also, place the scratching post/pad close to the area where your cat is already scratching so she will have a suitable place to mark her territory.  Cats love the scratching posts and pads when they are well used, so don't take them away just when they are getting good! 
 
Tip #3:  Make meal time fun!  This doesn't mean you have to offer different foods, just food in different places.  Make a game of hiding food in small dishes in several places around the house. You can make a homemade feeding toy by cutting small holes in an empty cardboard toilet paper roll. Fold over one end so it is closed, then add some dry food and fold over the other end.  Show your cat that the food comes out when the roll moves around, and your cat will have a fun and challenging way to eat!  You can provide fresh clean water in one or two areas in your home; water doesn't have to always be close to your cat's food. 

Tip #4:  Have play time with your cat.  Cats like to play by themselves, but they also enjoy playing with other cats and with humans.  Many cats love to fetch a crumpled piece of aluminum foil.  Kitty "fishing poles" and other dangling toys are great interactive toys for you and your cats.  You hold one end and jiggle it temptingly, and your cat will enjoy chasing and grabbing the other end. You can also use treats to teach your cat tricks such as "sit" and "sit up".

Tip #5:  Provide plenty of lounging places for your cat.  Kitty condos, window seats, and cat beds are all great lounging areas for your cat, especially when they are off the floor. Cats also love small, cozy places like empty cardboard boxes or paper bags. You might also try making a hiding place from a cardboard box with a hole cut in it, so your cat can get quiet time.

Remember, your cat will enjoy new things in the house, so try new scratching materials, new toys and new beds from time to time to keep life interesting.  However they don’t do so well with new types of cat litter and new food, so when you find one they like, stick with it!

When you follow these five tips, your cat will have a happy home, and you will be able to enjoy a fun relationship with your cat.

To get more information about cats or to adopt one of our beautiful cats, please call Faxon Animal Rescue League at 508-676-1061.