Benefits of a cat tree

Benefits of a cat tree

A cat tree is not just another extravagant piece of indoor decoration; it is actually quite a beneficial addition for your cat. Unlike humans who live in a horizontal world, the world of cats revolves around everything vertical. They depend on elevated areas for fun, exercise, comfort, and safety. If you have had experience in retrieving your cat from the top of your refrigerator, you will know how much your kitty enjoys being perched on the tallest structure of your room.

Some major benefits of owning a cat tree for your kittens or cats are:

Builds a great environment for multiple cats

While it is hard to believe but is very true; peace among multiple cats can only be done in a vertical way. The alpha cat will lay claim to the highest point of the cat tree to put on a show of dominance whereas the other felines will have to physically confront them to display higher rank. While this might be seen as violence between your pets, this behavior is actually quite healthy among cats. Additionally, cat trees will prevent physical fights between your felines.

Easier to share a cat tree

If you are an owner of more than two cats, you will be happy with the purchase. Since your cats will be able to share the same space while maintaining the hierarchical system, your pets will not have to share window ledges without getting into a fight. Cat trees will your cats perch on various platforms and they will be able to enjoy the scenery outside while keeping their statuses intact.

Used as a scratching post

Most cat owners will relate to the fact that cats scratching on your decorative furniture and sofa sets can be quite irritating. Cat trees have often been used for more than just a perch for your felines; it can also be used as a scratching post. Most cat trees in the market today will either have sisal covering (a type of rope covering) or could be made of bare wood. At times, you can also wrap your old carpet around the structure. However, you need to make sure that the covering material is not treated with harmful chemicals.

Can increase the territory of your cat

The higher your cat’s perch, the most powerful and confident your pet feels. With the help of a cat tree, you will be able to provide a space to go when your cat feels threatened or does not want to interact with anyone. In cases of owners with both cats and dogs, they will have to teach their pooches that cat trees are off-limits. A cat tree will offer peace of mind to your pet.

A cat tree will give your feline friend a beautiful place to sleep and play. But there are a lot of different types of cat trees in the market, so you need to choose one that will fit the size of your house and your budget. For owners with a single cat, you will be better off with a cat tree with a single or double perch, while owners with several cats should go for cat trees with multiple perches.

Benefits of cat toys

Benefits of cat toys

Cats are fascinating creatures to have as pets. They are highly independent and require little effort on the part of their owners. Although they sometimes play with their human companions, most of the times they will find ways to spend time alone.

If you own a cat, it is essential that you keep a few cat toys around that can encourage the cat to play and maintain its health. In this article, we look at some of the benefits of having cat toys and why they are so important to your cat’s well-being.

  1. Simulates a healthy hunting experience

Cats are carnivorous predators that have a great drive for hunting. Having toys for your cats to play with can be an enriching experience for them. Since their owners take care of their food and they don’t need to hunt, toys can satisfy their urge to engage in hunting experience that is safe and healthy. Playing with cat toys hones their hunting skills and releases some of the aggression. It also is a great way for the cat to maintain its bodily rhythms as it provides them with much needed exercise.

  1. Keeps their body healthy

Cat owners who provide their pets with toys can witness a rise in their health and well-being. By playing with toys they are able to build muscle tone. There are a wide variety of toys available like cat tunnels and cat posts that can be beneficial to their claws. Outdoor cats are able to maintain the wear and tear of their claws by scratching them on rugged surfaces. Indoor cats are not always able to do so. For this reason, cat toys are essential to maintain the general wear and tear of your cat’s claws.

Additionally, encouraging cats to play with toys can improve circulation of blood in their bodies that will directly improve their bodily mechanism. This in turn will be reflected in their overall health as your cat will be energetic and playful.

  1. Provides mental stimulation

Cats are naturally curious and require some form of entertainment or challenge on a daily basis. If they do not get any stimulation, they can quickly become bored and lethargic. While you’re away from home, cat toys can keep them entertained and mentally active which keeps boredom and depression at bay. If there aren’t enough things in your house for the cat to play with, they can become stressed as well. Cats that are stressed can develop many behavioral problems like urine-spraying, howling, aggression, etc.

An outlet is necessary to keep your cat healthy and anxiety-free. Regular play can ensure that your cat remains mentally unstressed and physically agile. Playing with your cat can also increase bonding between you and your cat. This will lower your cat’s stress levels and yours as well.

These are some of the benefits of having cat toys around for your cat to play with. Ultimately, a physically and mentally healthy cat will not only be fun to have around, but it will also ensure that your cat is happy to stay with you.

How to groom your cat

How to groom your cat

Cats are skittish creatures. They don’t like excessive petting and are considered low-maintenance creatures. For the most part, they will look after themselves. But, every cat requires some form of grooming. To ensure good health, it is important for you to look out for signs and symptoms that highlight the level of your cat’s health.

We list down a few ways by which you can groom your cat and check for signs of ill health.

Checking the ears, eyes, and nose

Every now and then as your cat hops onto your lap, give its ears, eyes, and nose a quick check.  There shouldn’t be any dirt, excessive wax, or debris built up. An unpleasant odor arising from a cat’s ears is a clear sign that something has gone wrong and a visit to the vet is in order.

Check to make sure there is no redness or swelling in or around your cat’s eyes. They should be clear and bright. Any sign of infection may require medical intervention.

Your cat’s nose must be smooth and moist. Any discharge coming from your cat’s nose may be a sign of infection. Look out for any bumps, ulcers or wounds that are taking too long to heal.

Grooming your cat on a regular basis will keep your cat healthy and free from the aforementioned troubles.

Getting rid of knots

Knots can build up if you haven’t groomed your cat in a while. They can be extremely uncomfortable to get rid of. For short-haired cats, use a comb with fine teeth to remove the knots, and a rubber brush to remove loose hair. Use gentle strokes in the direction of hair growth. For long-haired cats, a steel comb will do the job. Cat grooming can be a struggle for both the cat and the owner. Tease your cat with a treat whenever it wants to get away. Or if the going is getting extremely tough, perhaps it’s time to take a break.

Trimming cat claws

Cats, especially outdoor cats, are fond of scratching their claws against rough surfaces. They usually maintain the general wear and tear of their claws by doing this. But indoor cats may develop some problems. Check your cat’s claws every few weeks. Get your cat used to claw trimming from an early age so it doesn’t turn out to be too much of a hassle.

Make use of cat-claw trimmers available in the market. Never clip off more than the transparent tip of the claw, and do so while gently putting your finger and thumb in between the paw. If you have a kitten, do not trim. Simply file the claws as and when required.

Keeping your cat in good health requires little but necessary work. For the most part, your cat will take care of itself by licking and cleaning itself. The areas that cannot be covered by the cat alone require your attention. The coat of a cat, its eyes, nose, ears, and claws will signal you if they are in need of unclogging, trimming, or medical attention. Cat grooming will not only keep your cat from developing problems, but it will also deepen the bond between the two of you.