Offering Some General Advice On How To Improve Your Cats Overall Health In Honor Of Happy Cat Month
The A.V.M.A. (American Veterinary Medical Association) reports that 37 million U.S. households own cats. That makes up 26% of households in America! Clearly Americans love their cats. But, keeping cats healthy is easier said than done. That’s why the month of September is celebrated as Happy Cat Month!
Happy Cat Month aims to educate people about the importance of cat health and how to improve it. In honor of Happy Cat Month, this article will go over some basic guidelines to keeping your cat healthy and happy.
A cat eating a healthy diet
A Quality Diet
A very important aspect of cat health is their diet. Cats are considered obligate carnivores. This means they rely entirely on meat because their diet requires nutrients that are only found in animal flesh. Additionally, plants don’t provide enough nutrients for cats and their bodies can’t properly digest plant matter.
Picking Out The Best Cat Food
When it comes to buying cat food, give your cat the highest quality food you can afford. To determine the quality of a cat food, check the ingredients list. The ingredients are listed in order by weight. Stick to cat foods that have a short list of quality ingredients that you can recognize. Avoid products that contain fillers or additives as these are not healthy for your cat.
Additionally, look for cat foods that have the AAFCO label (Association of American Feed Control Officials). Foods with this label must meet strict guidelines for nutrient content. Essentially, this label sets a precedent as the gold standard for all cat foods regarding nutritional content. As for brand and flavor, that is entirely up to you and your feline friend.
A cat playing with a cat wand
Daily Exercise
It’s a common misconception that cats don’t need exercise. This is far from the truth. The truth is that nearly 60% of domesticated cats in the U.S. are overweight, according to VCA Hospitals. This is a huge problem that can be avoided through daily exercise.
While most cats can’t be walked, the way dogs are, they can still get exercise from other means. Engaging with your cat through toys and playtime is a great way for them to get their daily exercise. Therefore, we recommend spending at least 30 minutes a day playing with your cat. Try using interactive toys like a cat wand or an electronic, self-moving mouse.
Provide Stimulation
Spending time playing with your cat will give them plenty of exercise. But, it will also provide them with some much-needed stimulation. Like people, cats tend to get bored sitting around the house all day. Boredom usually leads to destructive behavior like scratching furniture or knocking stuff over. They need something to do to keep them preoccupied and avoid boredom.
Therefore, we recommend creating an environment for your cat that is enriching and stimulating. This includes plenty of toys for them to play with, both with you and alone. But, you can also provide them with things like treat puzzles, scratching posts, cat-grass, cat playground, and perches. Essentially, give your cat an environment where they can thrive and always find a way to entertain themselves.
A cat being brushed
Daily Grooming
Another commonly overlooked aspect of cat care is grooming. While cats are pretty self-sufficient when it comes to grooming, they are not perfect. They need a little help from their owners. While cats don’t need to go to the groomers on a regular basis like dogs, it can help in extreme cases. Groomers can be avoided if you do some daily cat grooming yourself.
Therefore, we recommend brushing your cat once a day. Invest in a quality brush that is tailored to your cat’s coat type (short hair or long hair). Spend around 10 to 15 minutes a day brushing your cat. This will help remove dead hair, reduce dander, and promote healthier skin & hair growth. Additionally, you should also make it a point to clip your cat’s nails regularly. This will reduce their need to scratch your furniture and help them feel better when they walk.
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