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Michael Bell, Safer PropertiesPhone: (707) 548-1611
Email: [email protected]

Pet basics: How to make a cat happy

by Michael Bell 05/13/2024

featured image with cat and text over top

Are you a prospective cat owner wondering how to make a cat happy? While all cats are different in personality and characteristics, they all have certain preferences and needs in common. If you’re in need of ideas for keeping your kitty happy, here are some of the most important things for cat owners to focus on:

Catify your home

Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy coined the term “catifying,” which translates into creating an environment in which indoor cats feel comfortable and can grow in. One of the key concepts in catifying a space is to provide plenty of places for them to climb, perch and play off the ground. 

Provide safe outside environments

Keep an indoor cat active by allowing them safe, supervised playtime outdoors. You can do this in a variety of ways, including using a leash and harness or by constructing a “catio” at home. 

Have plenty of scratching surfaces

Scratching is an instinct a cat develops to stretch its muscles and hone their claws. Providing your cat with plenty of satisfying surfaces to scratch will keep them comfortable and help you avoid furniture or carpet damage. Try both horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces to determine which your cat prefers.

Give them a view

There are few things a house cat loves more than lounging in a window sill. Watching the outside world provides countless hours of entertainment for cats, and the warm sunlight can be the perfect napping spot. If your window sills are too narrow, try placing cat trees or other furniture up against the window for your cat to perch.

Grow cat grass for them to nibble on

While cats are carnivores, they eat plenty of grass in the wild. Cat grass is something you can easily grow at home to provide your kitty with much-needed vitamins and extra help with digestion. Not to be confused with lawn grass, cat grass is a mixture of common seeds including wheat, rye, barley and oats.

Keep them challenged

Cats are intelligent creatures and can get bored without enough mental stimulation. Try challenging them with cat toys and interactive play. Each cat has different preferences when it comes to toys, so experiment with different types to see which ones your kitty finds most interesting. 

Sometimes it can take a while to get to know your cat and what makes them happy. However, if you stick to these key things cats love, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your cat happy indoors for years to come.

About the Author
Author

Michael Bell

In twenty five years of real estate sales and marketing experience, I have sold hundreds of properties, while developing detailed knowledge of Sonoma & Napa area communities. I am a life-long resident in the North Bay and after a full day at work, I enjoy spending time with my four children, and participating in their many school and recreational activities. 

Over the years, my clients have expressed diverse plans and dreams. I seek to truly understand and appreciate my clients' goals, focusing my efforts on realizing them. It has been fun learning more about the unique opportunities that attract people to the area such as the culinary community, the viticulture and wine industry as well as outdoor adventure tourism. It is important to me to listen to my clients, do what it takes to serve their needs and I am dedicated to treating everyone involved in a transaction both in a personal and professional manner. I work hard to anticipate and respond to the routine tasks at hand as well as the complex challenges that come up during real estate transactions while ensuring my goal to deliver you the outcome you desire.