September marks Happy Cat Month, a chance to give back to your feline friends and shower them with attention. We’re all for showing cats we love them, so here are four simple and meaningful ways to do just that.
Feed your kitty well
One of the best things you can do to have a healthy and happy cat is to feed them good-quality food. As obligate carnivores, cats need a balanced, meat-rich diet that is adapted to their life stage (kitten, adult or senior). Make sure the label says ‘complete’ and try to aim for as many natural ingredients as possible. If your pet has a health condition, your vet may recommend a therapeutic or veterinary diet – always speak to them before switching to this type of food.
Make sure they drink enough
Cats have a low thirst drive, so they may not feel the need to drink often. However (and much like us), cats need water for organ function. Water also helps decrease the risk of kidney problems, a common problem in older cats. If you’re tired of your purry friend ignoring her water bowl, placing a few glasses of water around your house may pique her curiosity (quiet areas are best). Many cats also like drinking running water, so a pet fountain (or letting them drink from the tap) can be the ultimate trick to get them interested.
Put time aside for them
We find grooming sessions are the perfect opportunity to check in and bond with our cat. Many of them enjoy being brushed, more so if that means an extra tickle behind the ears! But if your cat isn’t too fond of grooming, you can start on the areas where they are most used to being touched, gently brushing in the direction where the fur grows. KONG’s Zoom Groom is a great tool for cats sceptical of the brush. It has soft, rubber fingers that not only massage your cat but remove a surprising amount of loose hair.
Make naptimes extra cosy
Which cat doesn’t love a good snooze? As predatory animals, sleeping is a natural way for felines to recharge energy and prepare for hunting. In fact, it’s estimated that adult cats sleep 15 hours a day on average! We like to treat our cats to their own blanket. So, whether they’re relaxing on our bed by our feet or drifting into sleep on the couch, it’s a simple comfort that can make naps and snuggly times with their human even better.
We think it’s important to have special days that honour our furry friends, they remind us of the small things we can do for our pets’ health and wellbeing, but also just how lucky we are to have them in our lives.
