100 ways to love a cat

If you’re a cat lover, you know that there are countless ways to show your feline friend how much you care. From providing them with comfortable resting spots to grooming them regularly, there are many ways to make your cat feel loved and appreciated. You can keep them safe from harm by providing them with a clean and tidy living space, and taking them to the vet for regular check-ups to ensure they stay healthy. Playing with them using interactive toys, giving them treats, and teaching them new tricks are all great ways to bond with your cat. By following these simple tips, you can show your cat just how much they mean to you and enjoy a happy and fulfilling relationship with your furry companion.

Here are 100 ways to love and care for your cat:

1. Pet them gently and often. Cats love affection on their terms.
2. Make sure they always have clean, fresh water available. Cats are prone to urinary problems if dehydrated.
3. Feed them a nutritious diet. Cats need protein from meat, fish, or poultry.
4. Scoop the litter box daily. Cats like a clean bathroom.
5. Use a clumping, unscented litter. Cats prefer lightweight litter that’s easy to dig in.
6. Place litter boxes in quiet, accessible spots. Cats want privacy and convenience.
7. Provide scratching posts and pads. This prevents damage to furniture.
8. Clip their nails regularly. Blunt claws help prevent accidental scratches.
9. Groom them frequently. Daily brushing removes loose hair and debris.
10. Check their ears weekly. Clean excess wax and debris gently with a cotton ball.
11. Brush their teeth often. Dental health is important for cats.
12. Take them for annual vet exams. Preventive care keeps cats healthy.
13. Update vaccines on schedule. Boosters ensure continued immunity.
14. Have cats microchipped. This helps find lost cats.
15. Use flea and tick control. Parasites can transmit diseases in cats.
16. Keep their environment clean. Scoop litter daily and wash food/water bowls.
17. Vacuum and dust regularly. This reduces allergens in the home.
18. Provide window perches. Cats like to survey their territory.
19. Grow indoor cat grass. This aids digestion and satisfies chewing urges.
20. Offer appropriate scratching surfaces. These help keep claws in shape.
21. Play with interactive cat toys. Hunting “prey” satisfies natural instincts.
22. Set up climbing shelves or cat trees. This encourages activity and exploration.
23. Establish consistent mealtimes. Cats thrive on routine.
24. Keep the food and water bowls in separate spots. Cats don’t like their sources near each other.
25. Give treats in moderation. Limit high-calorie snacks to occasional uses.
26. Provide mental stimulation. Rotate toys to fight boredom.
27. Cat-proof the home. Put away string, ribbon, plastic, and small items.
28. Watch for changes in behavior. This can indicate illness in cats.
29. Learn your cat’s unique personality. Some like attention, while others prefer solitude.
30. Respect their space. Let them come to you first.
31. Create hiding spots and high perches. Cats feel secure with places to retreat.
32. Use synthetic pheromones. These help relieve stress and anxiety in cats.
33. Introduce new pets slowly. Allow time for adjustment to other animals.
34. Maintain routine during moves. Keep food, litter box, toys in their usual spots.
35. Give new furniture a cat-friendly appeal. Add a cat bed or scratching post.
36. Travel safely. Use carriers and restraints approved for cats.
37. Leave familiar scents during trips. Bring along bedding or worn shirts.
38. Provide cat sitters during absences. Checking in daily is best.
39. Give cats solo playtime. Even sociable cats need some alone time.
40. Show patience with senior cats. Meet their needs for comfort and security.
41. Adjust handling as cats age. Respect joints and bones that become arthritic.
42. Clean accidents thoroughly. Use pet-safe enzymatic cleaners to remove odors.
43. Discourage countersurfing. Cats learn quickly with consistent “no” messages.
44. Watch for signs of illness. Changes in behavior or appetite need vet attention.
45. Brush cats that shed excessively. Helps avoid hairballs and hair ingestion during grooming.
46. Protect cats from household hazards. Keep chemicals, plants, cords safely out of reach.
47. Baby-proof for kittens. Cover outlets, stow choking risks, and provide supervision.
48. Outfit windows with perches or screens. Prevents falls and allows bird watching.
49. Scoop litter daily. Cats won’t use a dirty box and may eliminate elsewhere.
50. Provide scratching posts. Stretching and clawing are natural cat behaviors.
51. Groom long-haired cats daily. Helps prevent mats and hairballs.
52. Start handling kittens early. They’ll be friendlier and easier to care for.
53. Give rewards during training. Positive reinforcement works best for cats.
54. Schedule vet dental cleanings. Tartar buildup causes gum disease over time.
55. Never declaw cats. This causes pain and behavioral problems. Clip nails instead.
56. Keep cats indoors. Protects them and local wildlife from harm.
57. Ensure collars fit properly. Avoid getting caught on branches or obstacles.
58. Install screens on windows. Stops escape attempts and accidental falls.
59. Respect their night vision. Don’t shine bright lights into cat’s eyes.
60. Let cats sniff new foods. Their sense of smell is key to trying new things.
61. Refill water frequently. Cats prefer fresh, flowing water sources.
62. Provide elevated hiding spots. Allows cats to perch and observe in comfort.
63. Give cats “agency” with choices. Example: food in different areas, multiple litter boxes.
64. Discourage play with hands and feet. Teaches cats not to bite or scratch people.
65. Provide appropriate scratching outlets. Helps satisfy scratching instinct.
66. Trim nail tips if cat won’t use scratching posts. Blunt tips help prevent injuries.
67. Feed a few small meals daily. Helps prevent gorging and obesity.
68. Store cat food properly. Keeps it fresh and free of bugs or rodents.
69. Monitor protein content for kidney health. Senior cats may need lower protein foods.
70. Brush dry food crumbles from teeth daily. Prevents plaque and dental disease.
71. Avoid dog and cat food blends. Cats need more protein than dogs.
72. Give cats space during vet visits. Bring along favorite toys or blankets.
73. Watch for signs of stress. Over-grooming, appetite changes, etc.
74. Praise good litter box habits. Positive reinforcement!
75. Provide scratching posts near seats, beds. Deters furniture scratching.
76. Vacuum floors and furnishings often. Reduces allergens in cat-friendly homes.
77. Bathe cats only when necessary. Maintain skin and coat health through brushing.
78. Scratch cats’ backs at the base of tails. There’s a reflex point there they love having scratched.
79. Let cats sniff guests before petting. Safer introductions for shy cats.
80. Give cats places to climb and scratch. Satisfies their instincts.
81. Leave water bowls away from food. Cats don’t like sources near each other.
82. Avoid scolding cats. Redirect to positive reinforcement instead.
83. Provide a quality diet suited for cat life stages. Kittens need more calories than seniors, for example.
84. Keep plants out of reach. Some common houseplants are toxic to cats.
85. Make time for daily play. Exercise and bonding time.
86. Provide clean, dry bedding. Wash cat beds regularly.
87. Keep their food dish in a quiet, low traffic area. Allows relaxed mealtimes.
88. Give cats affection on their terms. Don’t force interactions.
89. Trim claws of indoor cats regularly. Outdoor surfaces wear them down naturally.
90. Give cats hiding spots when scared. Under beds, in closets, etc.
91. Use synthetic facial pheromones. Helps relieve stress in anxious cats.
92. Reward them with treats. Positive reinforcement for good behavior.
93. Install cat fencing if cats go outdoors. Keeps them safe in their own yard.
94. Recognize signs of aging. Adjust care as needed.
95. Help cats maintain healthy weight. Obesity causes problems.
96. Make vet visits stress-free. Use calming aids if needed.
97. Spay/neuter cats. Reduces behaviors like spraying, roaming, fighting.
98. Show patience with cats. They have different needs than dogs.
99. Reward good behavior, ignore bad. Helps reinforce training.
100. Give your cat love, attention, and quality care every day!