10 Tips for Enhancing Your Cat’s Wellness

October is Pet Wellness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about ways we can enhance the lives of our best friends. Our PetSure Vets have put together their top ten tips for making your cats live a happier and healthier life. How many of them are you doing already?

1. Clean those litter trays!
   You heard us, get in there and scrub those trays. Cats are fastidious when it comes to their toilets. Simply scooping out poop is often not enough to satisfy them, even if they continue to use the litter afterwards. Your cat will be much happier with fresh litter and a lovely clean tray. It is important to avoid using ammonia-based cleaners or strongly scented cleaners on the trays, as the smell is unappealing to cats. Scrubbing the litter tray with hot water and unscented dishwashing liquid is a great way to ensure they are nice and clean.



2. Multiple litter trays are best
   Yes, we are still talking about litter trays. However, still on this topic, you may want to ensure that your cat(s) has more than one litter tray. As a rule of thumb, you should have one extra litter tray per cat. This means if you have two cats, provide them with three trays. One cat, two trays. It is also important to make sure their litter trays are placed in quiet areas of the house where your cat(s) can have some privacy while going to the bathroom.



3. Climbing, scratching, hiding
   These are a few of their favourite things! Fill your home with cat trees, tunnels, scratching posts and don’t underestimate the joy cardboard boxes can bring. Remember cats use vertical as well as horizontal space so, strategically placed shelves can give your cat a high vantage point to look down on the rest of the household and give them a great place to escape from events, people and other animals they may wish to escape from. Keep it fresh and interesting by rotating different pieces of cat furniture once your cat has grown tired of it (you will know when they have lost interest).



4. Play time and toys
   A great way to bond with your cat is play time! Laser pointers, wands, cat glove toys and even remote-controlled toys can all provide entertainment, exercise and fun for your cat. Make sure you have daily play time with your cat. Often the early evenings are a time where cats are active. You may want to get the laser pointer going while watching TV or have the kids play with the kitty while you are making dinner. Some cats enjoy playing fetch with a small ball or other toy (cat safe). It is always fun to experiment with different toys to see what your cat likes best.



5. Keep them safe
   According to PetSure Claims data*, in 2021 the top claimed condition for cats was traumatic accidents which includes cat fight abscesses, road incidents, bone fractures and snake bites. These may all be avoidable by keeping your cats indoors (if possible) and creating a secure enclosure where they can still experience and view the great outdoors, minus the potential hazards.



6. Sometimes you do make friends with salad
   Talking about all thing’s cats! Cat grass and catmint, otherwise known as catnip, are two plants that grow in pots, which can offer healing properties for your kitties. It is beneficial for your kitties to graze on as it is rich in vitamins. Have a few pots in handy so you can rotate them once one pot has been eaten down. Thank us later.



7. Watch their weight
   Like humans, excess weight in cats can lead to serious health problems including diabetes, heart and respiratory problems, cancers and orthopaedic complaints like osteoarthritis. Feeding cats with treat balls, slow feeders or puzzle feeders not only prevent cats from overeating but also provide mental stimulation at mealtime. For more great tips to help keep your pet a healthy weight, check out our article here. If you are not sure if your cat is overweight, chat to your vet who will be able to help you.



8. Grooming time
   Bonding with your cat may include play and cuddle time, but grooming time can also be a great way for you to bond. This will help remove loose fur and in turn reduce hair balls, check for and remove parasites, as well as checking signs of skin irritation (lumps and bumps that may need a vet assessment). Brushing also helps circulate natural oils through the coat and stimulate blood flow to the skin, which can improve skin and coat health. Some cats are responsive to being bathed, but for those who are not, try using a warm, damp face washer to go over your cat to help remove dust, dirt and other environmental contaminants from the surface of the coat.



9. Make sure preventative care is up to date
   You have heard the saying a million times, ‘prevention is better than a cure’, but it can be easy to let preventative care lapse when life gets busy. Check that your beloved kitty is up-to-date with vaccinations, flea, tick and worming prevention. If you are unsure what preventative controls your cat should be on, you may want to check with your vet. You may want to set reminders in your phone for any upcoming dose(s) to make it easier to stay up-to-date.



10. Regular check-ups can save lives
    Our cats age much faster than we do, which means that a year is a very long time for a cat to go without a check-up from the vet. A six-month check-up is a great way to help detect and treat problems early, as well as ensure you and your cat have a great relationship with your vet. For cats that do not like the crate, car and clinic, you may want to reach out to your local house call vet who will be happy to visit you and your furry introvert for a check-up in the comfort of your home.

These are our top ten tips for feline wellness on this Pet Wellness month, give your cat a cuddle for us! Make sure you check out our top ten tips for canine wellness too.

*PetSure Claims Data 2021 calendar year, data for all insured cats, all breeds, all ages.