The CATalyst Council, which promotes improving the cat-human bond and feline wellbeing — celebrates September as Happy Cat Month. And over the years, the definition of what makes a cat happy has changed and evolved. A decade or so ago, who knew there would be so many cats exploring nature with their humans, working as therapy pets, or that there would be whole conventions devoted to cat culture? So the idea of what makes a cat happy has also changed. A healthy cat is a happy cat, of course, but these days, feline wellbeing has taken a more holistic outlook. Humans are more open into looking into a cat’s mind and understanding her reactions and instincts, and working from there to give her a better life.
For this year’s Happy Cat Month post, I have some new thoughts for cats and humans. My three tips for a happy cat may surprise you this time around, and they are deeper than my usual, more lighthearted posts about cat behavior.
1. Find out who your cat really is. Is she really a shy and withdrawn creature, or does she only hide in certain circumstances? If she is outgoing, are there things that still make her nervous or startle her? Cats are not black and white creatures. They can be 80% shy or 60% outgoing, so you can’t expect them to behave a certain way all the time. If you learn your cat’s personality quirks, you can create a better life for her based on those.
For example, we have two outgoing cats — me and Binga — and one shy cat, Boodie. My human worked very hard to socialize Boodie. She handled her frequently, in a non-threatening way, for many years. But at the same time, she never demanded that she be outgoing around strangers. She was allowed to come and go as she pleased. She learned who was family, and eventually figured out that people who came over weren’t threatening or scary. So now she hangs around when people come over. She even let someone pet her recently. For Boodie, that is a big deal. She still is a little shy about being petted and handled, especially when she is having to go through a round of meds, but over the years, she went from 90% shy to being maybe 55% shy. I like to think that Binga and I helped too, by example.
2. Figure out if your cat is a loner, a cat’s cat, or prefers people to cats. A lot times, humans with a multi-cat family want everyone to get along, and they put a lot of effort into trying to make that happen. The thing is, sometimes that will never happen. Some cats just don’t want to be around other cats. Some cats will never get along together. Some cats would rather be with their humans than with another cat. If you have two or more cats, observe how they interact with each other, and with you. Do this without making any judgments, or desiring to “fix” things. The cats don’t need to be fixed… but their environment may need some changes to accommodate their personalities and needs.
Loner cats need to be able to spend time away from other cats. You may have to create levels in your house to give territorial cats more space. Maybe you have a cat that wants your undivided attention and does not want to have to share you every time she sits on your lap. It is a lot easier to create peace in a multi-cat household when you come from a place of wanting to make things comfortable for each individual instead of trying to encourage friendships that may never happen. Forced friendships never work with humans — why would they with cats?
On the other hand, if you have just one cat, is she happy that way, or does she seem lonely? This is easier to gauge if you know the cat’s background, or if she once lived with another cat that is no longer there. Cats that are used to the company of other cats may miss that. If the cat spent a lot of time alone and away from other cats, but she still seems lonely, it may be because she wants more time with you. If your cat seems like the type that would enjoy a kitty companion, consider bringing one into her life. If she is more of a loner, then make her happy by allowing her to be your one and only, and make sure you give her quality time.
3. Understand that your cat’s behavioral problem may be health related. When a cat eliminates inappropriately, humans often will assume right away that the cat is mad, jealous, spiteful, or some other emotion that is more human than feline. The truth is that often the problem is health-based. Even if emotion is involved — for example, if you’ve made changes in your household or adopted a second cat she doesn’t like — it could still be health related. Stress induced urinary tract infections are as real as any other UTI, and will need meds to clear up. Of course, if stress caused the UTI, you need to also figure out how to improve your cat’s living situation to relieve her stress.
Is your older cat yowling at odd hours? It could be she is getting senile… or she could have a digestive upset that is distressing her. Has your cat mysteriously stopped eating? Maybe it’s not because she dislikes her food — it could be dental disease. Nearly 60% of American housecats don’t get regular veterinary care, and that needs to change. You and your cat need a relationship with a good veterinarian to keep track of her health, and to catch any problems before they develop into something bigger and possibly life threatening.
These, of course, are just the beginning of keeping your cat happy, and healthy. But they create a great foundation to build upon. Many years ago, people assumed that cats were low-maintenance pets. You just got one, let her come and go as she pleased and that was it. These days, people want to forge a much closer relationship with their cats… and the cats benefit from that too. But it’s important to really understand cat nature (and maybe something about human nature too) to make the most out of the feline-human bond.
This is very good information!
Excellent advice, Summer! It always makes me sad when people do not take the time to get to know their cats and appreciate them for who they are. And it makes me even sadder because so many people don’t care…because “it’s just a cat”.
You constantly amaze me with your wisdom, Summer.
Great advice Summer
Great advice!
I have some that fall into all categories (you’d figure that would be the case with the numbers I have.) My loner cat has his own room – to keep him from hissing in everyone’s face and getting beat up for it. I work hard to try to get everyone enough time with me, with their friends and alone.
The more I take Plush out adventuring the more demanding he’s becoming. It’s been interesting. He has a show in three weeks – scratches on his face because he’s decided Katie’s space on the big cat tree is nicer than his spot on the one in my bedroom is not desirable. (Katie is my patch tabby and white – she’s not that nice. She’s super high maintenance.)
Mee-yow wow Summer what a furabuluss post!!! You reelly know yore stuff! LadyMew asks mee efurry so offen if mee iss lonelee beein ehre with her onlee. Shee was told at Sheltur mee hated other catss an mee lived inn a room alone fore 2 yeerss (mye-nuss mee 2 failed ‘doptionss where there were other catss an mee did not do well.)
Mee liked mee frend upstairss on 2nd floor balcony butt shee jumped off an ran away 3 weekss ago…mee missess seein that kitty. Butt mee not sure mee wuud want to share mee home with anyone else.
LadyMew told mee all her catss butt ‘angel’ Unkell Siddhartha were 1 cat kinda kittiess so shee understandss us….
Thanx fore such a grate psot again!
***purrsss*** BellaDharma
Good advice for happy catitude!
Great advice. All 4 cats in our house are different.
Bodacious
Great advice. Kitties have different personalities and different needs.
Great post. TW has decided that I like men and not women. She doesn’t know why. I was very outgoing with strangers until those air duck people came 5 or 6 years back. Yes, I seem lonely to TW but they tried getting me a pet and it didn’t work out. I’m too jealous of Pop.
We had four shy cats over the years. Flash, Abbey, Puck and Floki. Shy cats require patience and slow, gentle movements. On the other hand, I can pick up Chris and hold him tight and he will come back for more. I can even run the vacuum cleaner in front of him. No problem. When Puck was around, I tried to sweep as much of the house as I could before pulling out the vacuum.
The health related one is important. People need to understand their cat’s behaviour it is so important.
Great info, Summer. It’s important for humans to let cats be cats.
Summer, you are one of the smartest kitties we know! These are such great tips for humans to learn.
You are such a wise kitty, Summer! Every cat is unique just as every person is, and it’s up to their humans to figure out how to make them as happy as they can possibly be!
We are one of each. Ayla is a loner and stays in the bedroom a lot or goes out on the deck, Iza would like to be an only cat and she stays near TBT constantly. Marley is sort of a cats cat but he likes TBT too. Three things he cant stand thought are surprise noises, unfamiliar Humans, and changes in the house.
Always been a happy cat. I shared my domain for a short time with a kitty who preferred that strangers did not know she existed. When she left, I was still a happy cat. My tail was and is still straight up in the air.
However now my human has semi-retired and only works a few hours a day, she is home more. I really like that she is here with me more. I can ignore her or bother her til she starts getting grabby and giving me kisses. (Icky smoochies)
Good post, Summer. Flynn was always shy with other people, but Eric was very outgoing and everyone’s friend. I know Flynn must have been lonely to lose his brother, but he would go totally ballistic if another cat dared to come on his property.
Great tips, Summer ! Purrs
those are great tips and I am proud to say, I know Cody quite well and I knew Bobo quite well too, they had totally different personalities/quirks.
Those are excellent tips Summer.
Very comprehensive, informative list, Summer! We have different personalities but we compliment each other. It is important that each of our preferences are respected so we appreciate you pointing this out.
My kitten Sydney has her tail up in the air a lot! But, that’s good, because that means a happy cat!
Those are some wonderful points. Good post.
Angel will not tolerate other cats, since her brother left for The Rainbow Bridge. Maybe if Da Boyz didn’t jump up into her face all of the time, but having her in a separate apartment seems to suit her well. She only likes humans a little bit (well, she likes The Hubby A LOT) but she tends to prefer quiet and solitude.
good info…
last night at the twins game they played a family feud-like game where they asked a couple what finished first in a survey of people. the question was to name a three letter word that kids learn. the woman guessed “dog” and that finished second. I thought there was no way “cat” was going to beat dog, but it did. i think that says something about our changing culture.
Great educational post today Summer. We are so glad you brought up these particular topics. We have to help the humans understand us in order to try and create harmony. We can be as complicated as humans. Wonderful advice Summer. Purrs
That was wonderful information sweet Summer and nothing beats a happy cat!
Excellent advice on cats. I’ve had many cats in the past, but I never knew much about them.
Summer what a wonderful post …..Mom says I have always been social to the point of being in the same room with all family or visitors BUT they better not think I am their lap kitty. I am a bit of a tease too I will walk right up rub all over them asking for a head pet only and they best not linger there or they could draw back 1/2 a digit.
Hugs Madi your bfff
Good tips Summer!
Great advice, Summer!