Every cat needs certain things to feel happy, healthy, and safe.
When their needs are met, and your cat is free from illness, your cat will feel good. Feeling good is essential to good animal welfare.
There are five important things every healthy, happy cat requires:
Places to hide – Cats hide when they feel scared. Cats may find new sights, smells, sounds, furniture, visitors, or animals scary. Let them go under beds, into boxes, or up high.
High places to watch the world go by – Cats like to sit up high and watch what is happening around them to feel safe. Use shelves, cat trees, or window perches.
Fresh clean water, food every day, comfy beds and vet care – Keep your cat’s food and water bowls in different spots around your home. Cats don’t like it when food and water are near each other. Offer a few beds around your home so your cat can choose where to rest. Keep up to date with vaccinations and parasite control. See a vet if your cat is sick or injured.
Scratching pads and posts – Cats need to scratch. Some cats like to scratch on flat things and others like to scratch on tall things. Offer both so your cat doesn’t scratch your furniture
Big, clean litter trays – Each cat needs TWO big, clean litter trays. Each tray should be longer than your cat! Figure out what type of litter your cat likes the best. Keep litter trays away from food and water.
Playtime – Cats like to pretend to hunt. Play with them every day for 5 minutes using toys like kitty fishing rods and wands. Don’t use laser pointers—they can’t catch the dot! Also offer your cat toys they can play with by themselves, like crinkled paper balls, toy mice and soft toys they can wrestle and bunny kick with.
Gentle handling – Cats like soft hands and slow movements. Don’t play rough with your cat or use your hands or feet to play. This can lead to bites and scratches.
To be understood – Some cats don’t like other cats. Think about this before adding a new cat to your home. Many don’t like to be picked up or being touched on the belly or legs.
To choose when to be touched – Let your cat come to you. Lots of cats just want to sit next to you instead of cuddle. To ask a cat if it wants to be touched, hold out your hand. If they touch you with their nose, you can touch them on the head or chin. If they don’t touch you, leave them alone.
If you need more personalised support, you’re not alone. RSPCA NSW is always here to help. Our behaviour helpline offers guidance and advice to support you and your cat. Please reach out via our contact us form here.
The Keeping Cats Safe at Home project aims to encourage and enable cat caregivers to prevent their cats from roaming outdoors to maximise their safety, in addition to the safety of native wildlife animals.
It helps them keep their nails healthy and stretches their muscles. It also marks their territory, so they can communicate to other cats without needing to go near them. They can also leave messages for themselves to “read” later.
Every cat is different. Some love to be touched, and others don’t like it very much or even at all!
Cats that do enjoy being touched like short petting sessions. Learn what your cat likes and always allow the cat to choose…
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