Cats are the perfect companions for us humans. Who wouldn’t want a serial cuddler that doesn’t judge you (not too obviously, at least), an endless source of amusement, and a great listener all in one? But some things about our feline friends don’t always make life easy. From the constant shedding to the litter box odors, it can be challenging to keep up with the needs of our furry confidants.
While cats are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves for most of their daily needs, it’s not like they can avoid shedding, keep their litter box clean, or ignore their nature and not scratch the furniture just to please us. Especially if we don’t provide them with a scratcher to do it! As responsible cat owners, we need to learn how to help our kitties through any issues they may have.
If you’re thinking about bringing a new furry friend into your home and could use a little help to take care of a cat, we’re here to give you a paw! We’ve investigated and rounded up tons of cat hacks and tips to learn how to tend to your cat’s every need like a pro, so you can make sure they’re happy in their forever home!
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Get them neutered. To ensure all cats have a safe and happy home, one of cats protection’s key aims is to champion neutering as a way to keep the cat population under control.
If your cat lets you touch its paws, it means that they love and trust you.
To end a game of chase with the laser, give your cat a treat to give them a sense of accomplishment and a job well done.
Yes, the laser thing can be frustrating for cats because they never get to catch their prey, and there's no accomplishment! Physical toys are better imho.
If you don't let your cat outside, it'll avoid any number of random dangers the world can throw at it.
Cats won't be the reason birds and other animals go extinct look in the mirror
Well, domestic cats have already caused the extinction of at least 33 species, but humans did domestic them and travel with them, so the fault does lie us. I don’t believe we’re trying to s**t-talk cats, just educate that they are an environmental hazard.
Load More Replies...Or take your cats on walks or let them out under watch/lead in your garden. It's not fair for a cat to be cooped up inside all day long if they show signs of wanting to go out
Yup! I trained my cat to wear a harness so we could go outside. She didn't do a whole lot of walking - it was more like random wandering while eating grass. :)
Load More Replies...Exactly why I keep my fur baby indoors. His life will be longer and healthier. He's too timid to go outside anyway.
A cat's cognitive abilities are very similar to those of a 2-year-old human child; and cats allowed to roam outdoors alone face the same dangers as a 2-year-old child allowed to roam outdoors alone. They may get lost. Hit by a car. Kidnapped, then tortured and left to suffer, or killed. Attacked by an animal. Consume something poisonous, become seriously ill, and perhaps die. Fall, and become seriously injured. Become trapped in a place where they can't be easily seen or heard. If you have a 2-year-old child, you certainly would never consider allowing them to roam around outdoors without supervision. Please, if you have a cat, don't allow them to roam outdoors, either.
I let my cat outside but only when I am out there, she just sits and watches birds and squirrels for hours
I’ve had many cats in my life and they have all been indoor kitties, all living very long lives and content to stay inside. But last year we adopted a kitten who wants to do whatever her big brother (who happens to be a dog) does, which is wander around the backyard. We were nervous at first to let her go out but she has no interest in going over the fence and chases only crickets. Win-win.
Every single expert says cats should be indoor only. If you disagree with them, you're either arrogant or an idiot.
Except they so very much do not, what have you been reading? No, experts certainly don’t say that. Geez.
Load More Replies...they'll also be miserable. Cats are clever and know how to avoid danger. afraid they'll kill little birdies ? a collar with a little bell works wonders
When I was a child, the cats we had would not last more than 4 years. We lived in the city of Los Angeles, and although the cats would generally not travel more than a house or so away, they still would disappear, or we would find them fatally injured. The last cat I owned only went outdoors on a harness, and lived to be 20 years of age.
What a horrible depressing life. Imagine being confined to one place your entire life. Yes there are dangers but that’s part of life. Let them have an adventure
My outdoor cat lived til she was 19. Not common to lock them up in this country.
Living in a house is not "locking them up". It's providing a safe home for your beloved pet.
Load More Replies...Counterpoint: Outdoor cats kill song birds. They do it for sport, not need or food. Song bird populations are crashing. Cats are a large component of this pressure on their populations.
Load More Replies...Personally, I think cats deserve to be allowed outside. Which is why mine has a leash :) she's finally made the connection between the harness and the outside.
This is very commonly said in the USA, but here in the UK things are different, and it is rare for a Rescue Service to require that an adopted cat be kept indoors—and even then it will be for the sake of the particular cat. I get somewhat tired of well-meaning folks telling me that I am endangering my cats by letting them go out of the house: we don't have coyotes here in rural Buckinhamshire (yes, I am not exaggerating, somebody told me that my cats would get eaten by coyotes and that I would deserve it 🤦♂️)
Keep your cats indoors. They are an absolutely destructive menace when it comes to garden birds and small mammals, frogs / toads etc.
Load More Replies...Apples to oranges. Not the same thing at all. My cats are happy that they're not getting hit by cars or attacked by foxes.
Load More Replies...Brooklyn - please explain to us why all the experts are wrong and you think you are right. Because you have a cat that you can't be bothered to keep inside?
Load More Replies...Cats can go out. On a leash or fenced yard, just like dogs.
Load More Replies...When you move to a new place, unpack the litter box first. Then "unpack" the kitty and put her next to the litter box so he/she knows where it is... Cats use the litter box as a "home base" and start exploring from there.
and be sure to lock them in the bathroom before all the boxes come into the house, so they don't go darting out the door.
Talk to your cat. It helps to build a rapport, and he/she will respond to more tones of your voice.
I talk to my cats all the time..you don't to need to be mushy gushy..but if they trust your voice especially if you have to move to a new apartment or go to the vet...it really does help
Hang an inexpensive bird feeder outside a window and be sure you have a chair or table near the window so they can sit and watch the birds. It will entertain them every day!
Our cat sits on my piano and looks out through the window at the tree right in front of it
Teaching your cat to come when called is not only handy but could save his life. If he escapes outside, you can call him back home.
It is recommended that you play with your cat for 15 to 20 minutes before bedtime so that they can let out all their excess energy. This pre-bedtime play session will make the cat calmer and help them sleep better through the night.
and if they only get wet food once a day, give it to them at supper time, that way they won't be waking you at 4am for food.
Got feral cats in the backyard? Keep ‘em warm this winter. Provide some food and shelter for feral or stray cats.
Yep, we set up a couple of cat houses in the backyard a few years ago, during a particularly vicious cold snap. We'd already been providing a bit of food for the ferals, and we could deal with the chances of finding a little frozen body. The only downside is that we don't get to watch birds at our feeders anymore, but the regular visits from the kittens more than makes up for it.
If you find that your cat has a propensity to sit on your book or keyboard or in front of your monitor as you attempt to use it, place an open box on your desk big enough for your cat. If there’s one thing cats love more than sitting on keyboards, it’s sitting in boxes.
Touch it’s ears, paws, and belly frequently to get it acclimated to those areas being handled.
It’s a good idea to get two cats, especially if you’re out of the house during the day. Not only will your cat be less lonely, but they’re also less likely to get destructive if they have someone to play with during the day.
Yeah, definitely not a guarantee they will get along. I had litter-mate brother/ sister pair and they HATED each other- full on cat fights with abscesses. The key is to pair based on personality
When petting a cat, watch the tail. A tip flip is annoyance, a tail thump means get away, and a twitch from the base means you're about two seconds from getting bit. Stop as soon as you see any of these, and your cat will respect you more and tolerate more petting in the future.
My cat swishes her tail, when she wants me to play "throw" that is throw a treat and she will chase it
Store-bought toys look fun to us humans, but most cats are perfectly happy to swat around things like bottle caps, pipe cleaners, and old playing cards.
Plastic rings from milk jugs have been the most popular among my cats for something a bit over 50 years now. I dread moving the refrigerator when we leave...
Give your cat running water. Some cats like flowing water and the filter helps keep the water fresh.
Every pet owner should consider pet insurance. Even if you believe you have enough money to cover veterinary costs, pet insurance could still save you thousands of dollars if your pet gets sick or injured.
If you’re bringing a cat into a home with other pets or another pet into a home that already has a cat, don’t just put them together and hope everything works out. Cats tend to be very territorial, and they also need time to adjust to a new environment.
Jackson Galaxy has great tips for how to introduce cats and it really works. He's pretty dorky but his methods are very reliable.
From an early age, touch your cat's feet and toes often. If they get used to having their toes handled, it is much easier to cut their nails later.
Trim. They're not removing the claws, theyre trimming them. Cats can get their claws stuck in fabric if they're too long, and can injure themselves. They still have claws. They're just trimmed down. They can sharpen them again immediately.
A great way to keep your indoor cat active, particularly if you live in a smaller home, is to put up some shelves or towers for them to climb.
It’s time to stop spraying cats with water! Your cat starts to associate the unpleasant experience with you, and not necessarily his actions with the punishment.
Initially I would spray with water (because they were jumping on the kitchen counter and terrified they might jump on the stove). I would make scoosh noise at the same time as spraying, didn't take long to just make the scoosh noise to prevent jumping.
Place pinecones in potted plants, because they're uncomfortable for your cat to step on and will keep them out.
Keeping your cat at home is the safest and least unsettling option when you go on holiday as they’re less likely to be stressed and will be more content in their own environment.
This really varies from cat to cat and is absolutely not a general rule
Leaving treats hidden around the house when leave. It means that cat looks forward to leaving instead of being anxious because he gets to go on a treasure hunt.
Avoid letting the cat play with your hands. Letting your cat play wrestle with your hands teaches them that biting and scratching is an acceptable behavior.
Store dry cat food in a plastic pitcher or cereal container. Leaving your cat’s food in the opened bag runs the risk of letting it get stale.
If your cat goes crazy for catnip, consider growing your own. Catnip is relatively easy to grow in pots, and it’ll give you an endless supply of fun. Make sure to keep the pots out of kitty’s reach until you’re ready.
I once planted catnip in a neighbour's garden that was a particular pain. He came out to find a lot of his plants flattened.
Providing a cat-friendly climbing alternative not only protects your collectibles, but it affords items which may be destined for the landfill, a new purpose in life.
You can build your own cat tent with some basic items that you'll already have at home. Using wire coat hangers make a frame like a tent, with two hangers crossing each other over the top and place an old t-shirt over the frame.
Safeguard your sofa. Setting up decoy scratching posts, you can give cats a place to mark, stretch, and trim their nails, without damaging your belongings.
I once had a lady come into the shelter to adopt. I asked her if she had a scratch post, her response "no, I have a sofa". Give the lady a cat. And she also became a volunteer with us for many years.
Note: this post originally had 120 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Not even finishing this thread, as so far they are all quite obvious to cat owners. To people are are considering getting a cat: do not declaw them. You're essentially cutting off the top knuckles, and they will have arthritis later in life.
Thank you for this. It is so painful for them, they cannot jump, they cannot even use regular litter and if the need ever arises, are utterly defenseless. many countries have made it illegal.
Load More Replies...not a single hack in the list; just a bunch of tips; I know English isn't the first language of the author, but c'mon, where did you get the idea that "tip" and "hack" are synonyms?
most of the tips are incredibly obvious too; I've got a cat and am scrolling through this list hoping to find something I didn't already know
Load More Replies...Yes, this I know. Bouche has toys she loves all over the house. This does not stop her from stealing my stylus every single day. She's not the one with fat fingers.
I'd really like to add something to the list: Feed high-quality quality cat food without sugar or grain, with a high meat content (70%+) and use dried cat food only as a snack/reward. 70% of all cats will get chronic renal failure when they're old because of a poor diet. My cat died last year because of it.
Not even finishing this thread, as so far they are all quite obvious to cat owners. To people are are considering getting a cat: do not declaw them. You're essentially cutting off the top knuckles, and they will have arthritis later in life.
Thank you for this. It is so painful for them, they cannot jump, they cannot even use regular litter and if the need ever arises, are utterly defenseless. many countries have made it illegal.
Load More Replies...not a single hack in the list; just a bunch of tips; I know English isn't the first language of the author, but c'mon, where did you get the idea that "tip" and "hack" are synonyms?
most of the tips are incredibly obvious too; I've got a cat and am scrolling through this list hoping to find something I didn't already know
Load More Replies...Yes, this I know. Bouche has toys she loves all over the house. This does not stop her from stealing my stylus every single day. She's not the one with fat fingers.
I'd really like to add something to the list: Feed high-quality quality cat food without sugar or grain, with a high meat content (70%+) and use dried cat food only as a snack/reward. 70% of all cats will get chronic renal failure when they're old because of a poor diet. My cat died last year because of it.