Five Requirements for Healthy Cats

For cat owners, cats are more than just pets. In exchange for a warm place to sleep and a little food, they reward us with frequent entertainment, unconditional love, and teach us how to slow down and be in the moment (especially when they are sitting on our laps!)

"No Ma'am, I don't think this
qualifies as a safe retreat!"

In return, we open up our homes and wallets to provide them the very best life we can.  The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) lists five basic pillars for a healthy feline environment.  If any of these requirements are missing, it can cause stress and behavioral problems for the feline members of our families. Here is a breakdown of the five requirements:

1.) A Safe Retreat

Cats need to have a retreat where they can go to feel protected, especially if there are dogs, kids, or other cats that might not always be friendly to the kitty.  In general, cats want a safe place with at least 2 ways to exit. Some cats like the safety of height, and prefer a kitty perch on a windowsill or a tall cat tree.  Others prefer a more enclosed area such as under a bed or in a box.  Whatever the choice, try to have as many safe retreats as you have cats in your house.

2.) Separate, individual resources for food and water, litter boxes, sleep and play areas

Anyone who has ever been in a multi-cat household knows how impossible it is to feed kitties in separate bowls. Inevitably one will want to check out the other's dish, and they both end up eating out of each other's bowls.  That's fine, but even kitties that are best friends sometimes need a little space!  The important thing is that there are options, so that each of these environmental resources are available to the kitty when needed.  The general guideline for litter boxes is to have as many boxes as you have cats, plus one.  If one litter box is being used, or perhaps a feeding dish is blocked off for the moment, the cat can find another one if needed.

3.)  Play opportunities

We all love watching cats play, and play is crucial to their health and well-being.   Predatory toys, such as fake furry mice or fishing poles, allow cats to practice their natural hunting skills and also encourage human interaction and bonding.   Puzzle toys can help a cat's mental acuity and require that kitty works harder for its food.  

4.) Consistent, positive human interaction

Each cat is different in how much human interaction they desire, but maintaining a dependable and beneficial presence in a cat's life will always be good for them.  Never force your cat to interact with you-- they will tell you when they have had enough.

5.) Respecting a cat's sense of smell

Felines rely on their exceptional sense of smell, and use it to scent-mark certain areas and things.  If a cat is having trouble adjusting to something new, try not to clean any scent-markings off.  Felines also produce pheromones which help them feel more calm, and many pet stores now sell a plug-in pheromone diffuser that can help cat  households alleviate stress.  Notice whether highly scented products like candles, cleaning products or air fresheners seem to bother your cat.  Finally, cat litters have differing amounts of air fresheners, but a highly scented litter might cause a cat to find other areas to relieve himself.  

Being aware of these requirements allows us to enjoy our pets to the fullest, making their lives and our own happier and more meaningful!