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What 13 Gross Mistakes We Make in Relationships with Cats
09.04.2024 06:10
Many people make mistakes when handling cats, some due to carelessness and others simply due to ignorance.
Little activity
Cats need physical exercise. For example, domestic cats only get it in their home.
They can't go outside to chase bugs or play with other cats, so you need to make sure they get enough entertainment in the house.
Otherwise, they will try to get your attention by meowing or scratching the furniture, and boredom can also lead to depression.
Therefore, make sure that there are enough toys in the house, regularly arrange joint games, for example, before each feeding. You can use a fishing toy or a laser pointer.
Improper nutrition
Some people do not eat meat for religious or moral reasons. This is certainly not a bad position for a person, especially since eating less meat is good for our planet. But cats need to be fed meat to be well-fed and develop well.
In addition to such important substances as taurine, without which cats can go blind, there are many other important substances in meat and in good cat food that provide animals with all the necessary substances.
Lack of education
In general, it is not necessary to train cats, but often people complain about the behavior of their pets without explaining to them through training what behavior is desirable and what is not.
Punishing the cat
Cat training should always be done through rewarding positive behavior. Cats usually do not understand why they are being punished.
When the owner comes home and finds a puddle on the carpet, the temporal connection between urination and punishment is no longer obvious to the cat.
Likewise, punishing your cat with a spray bottle when she meows at night is pointless. Because she achieves her goal: by meowing, she attracts your attention. Such punishment will only make the problem worse.
Instead of damaging your relationship with your cat through punishment, positive reinforcement of desired behavior creates a closer relationship with your cat.
This leads to good relationships between cats and their owners.
No visits to the vet
Even indoor cats need to be taken to the vet for a check-up once a year.
Minor illnesses can be detected early and will not develop into major health problems. For example, a veterinarian can detect dental problems and thus prevent toothache in an animal.
In addition, you should definitely show your cat to the vet if there are any changes in behavior - for example, if the animal stops eating or suddenly hisses when you try to pet it. It is better to visit a doctor. It will not be superfluous.
Do not spay your cat
Opinions vary on this issue, but unless you want to breed cats, spaying is highly recommended.
On the one hand, castration of cats makes them less aggressive, which makes it easier for them to live together with other cats in an apartment, and on the other hand, it leads to a decrease in the number of fights and, accordingly, injuries in cats living on the street.
In addition, uncastrated cats often have problems. They mark their territory with urine, which is very undesirable and unpleasant. Moreover, street cats must be castrated, otherwise they reproduce uncontrollably.
Too few toilets
Often there are problems associated with cats peeing in the apartment, and very often this problem can be solved with the help of additional toilets. The general rule is: "1 tray per cat + 1". So, if you have one cat, then you should have two trays.
This is especially true for cats that live indoors and are unable to go outside. But if your cat pees indoors, the first step should be to get another litter box.
Don't leave your cat alone
Cats are curious and want to know everything that is happening in their territory. They love to watch their owners work and sniff everything new in the house. However, cats often need privacy.
Give her a place where she will feel calm and comfortable, for example, in the bedroom. Perhaps it will be a scratching post that stands in a quiet corner where no one comes and disturbs her.
You don't let your cat rest
Shelter is necessary, but it is useless if the cat is constantly disturbed. If the cat is alone in a room, let it rest quietly. Do not pick it up or carry it around, let it sleep peacefully.
Especially if there are small children in the house, make sure that they do not look for the cat to play with or pet, as a tired cat may become aggressive.
No scratching post
Many cat owners know very well that cats love to scratch sofas. This causes a lot of inconvenience, but often it is simply due to the natural desire of cats to sharpen their claws.
The couch is a good place for this because it doesn't slide or wobble when your pets scratch on it.
To give cats the opportunity to follow their natural desires, you should purchase a scratching post. A cat tree that is tall enough for them to stretch out their entire body is best.
Lack of "vertical space"
Cats are good climbers and should be able to explore their apartment on multiple levels. It doesn't matter if it's a fashionable catwalk, a hammock, or a few inexpensive shelves, the main thing is that the cats can safely explore their territory on multiple levels.
Too little affection
Cats are sociable animals and often seek closeness with humans. If you take a cat into your home, you should not only give it food and water several times a day, but also pet it. Grooming is also a good way to maintain a bond with the animal.
Lonely cat in the apartment
If the cat is not a street cat, it is desirable to have another cat in the apartment. Cats living alone are usually unhappy, they lack the company of animals. Keeping two cats is not much more expensive.
Previously we explained why cats sleep at a person's feet.
