If you’re like most cat owners, you celebrate your feline family member every day, but September lets us take that love a step further. September is Happy Cat Month, a full month to embrace everything that brings our cats joy. Healthy cats are happy cats, and this is a good time to review your cat guardianship to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your feline friend’s wellness on track.
1. Schedule a checkup
Much like people, your cat needs regular wellness visits. If you haven’t scheduled a vet check in a while, September is a great time to do that. At your cat’s checkup, their vet will check their weight, look for common parasites, and evaluate them for signs of common health issues. They may also recommend various routine vaccinations and suggest tips that can help you keep your cat’s health on track between vet visits.
2. Monitor their weight
About 60% of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Excess weight puts your cat at risk of joint damage as well as potentially serious health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Your cat may also be more prone to litter box problems. Keeping your cat fit can be as easy as ensuring they eat a healthy diet, monitoring their treat intake, and keeping them active. Playtime is a great way to bond with your cat, too, which makes it a win in our book!
3. Provide an enriching environment
Indoor cats can be particularly susceptible to boredom, so indoor cat guardians have a responsibility to create engaging and interesting environments. You don’t have to “catify” your whole house – although that’s certainly an option – but a few simple changes can make your space more cat-friendly.
Add vertical space with shelves, cat trees, or cat climbing walls for safe climbing and exploring. Offer window views with a perch or cat bed near a convenient window so your cat can watch “cat TV.” Make it a “premium channel” by installing a bird or squirrel feeder outside.
Invest in new toys. Interactive toys are always a hit: feather wands, mat toys, puzzle toys, and similar options are great for engaging your cat and keeping them physically and mentally stimulated. If your cat seems bored with their current selection, switch things up.
Incorporate some herbal stimulation with catnip, catmint, cat grass, and other herbs and plants. Explore some safe options with your cat to find which ones they enjoy the most.
4.Let your cat indulge in natural behaviors.
Cats scratch. It’s a natural behavior that allows them to scent mark their territory, relieve stress, stretch, and shed their claw sheaths. Scratching benefits their physical and mental health. You can reduce the risk of problem scratching – scratching your furniture – by ensuring they have plenty of options for scratching, like cardboard scratchers, sisal or jute scratching posts, and carpeted scratching trees. If your cat doesn’t like one scratcher, try a different one. Some cats prefer one material over another or vertical rather than horizontal options. Position scratching posts at various points throughout your home so your cats have choices.
5. Provide hiding spots
If you’ve had a cat for more than a few hours, you likely know they love to hide. Hiding gives your cat a sense of security and control, and while they are happy to find their own places to squirrel away, offering them a few new and exciting hiding spots will make their day. Consider boxes, cat houses, or a cozy little tent. Once they’re secure in their hideaway, let them hide in peace.
Our feline family members bring us joy, and Happy Cat Month is a time to celebrate that by ensuring they have everything they need to be happy and healthy. At Cozy Cat Suites, we celebrate our cat friends every day. Whether your furry feline needs grooming or a getaway while you’re out of town, we’ve got them covered. Call us today to learn more or to schedule your visit.
