What Cats Really Want
Written by: Lesli Wyant, DVM

After surveying numerous fine felines about their likes and dislikes, Vetcentric.com compiled a list of the qualities that earned the loudest purring. Cat owners, take note:

A home of their own

When weighing the risk of being injured by cars, people, or other roaming animals, cats agreed unanimously that staying inside is preferable to the freedom of wandering in the great outdoors. An indoors-only lifestyle not only cuts down on the potential for physical trauma, but also decreases the likelihood of contracting contagious diseases, some of which can be fatal, such as rabies , the feline leukemia virus , and the feline immunodeficiency virus. Infection with the canine heartworm can also occur.

That's entertainment!

For cats, having a good place to perch is akin paradise. A window overlooking a bird bath or tree can provide hours of amusement for a curious feline. Cats also love kitty condos with hiding spaces and platforms to laze on.

A nice addition for your kitty would be a sturdy window perch. Adjustable to fit most sills, the Cat Napper allows your curious feline to see both outside and inside while the warm, cozy hammock design molds instantly to your cat's shape for maximum comfort.

Kitty cuisine

A high quality diet is a must for all happy, healthy cats. One feline respondent to our "What Cats Really Want" survey shared a great suggestion: a short-sided bowl doesn't tickle the whiskers as much during dining. Check out the whisker friendly Fat Cat Dish by WETNOZ at our store.

Members of our survey pool also indicated that they love having fresh water supplied once or even twice a day. A favorite activity of many cats is drinking from a running water supply, such as a dripping faucet in the bathroom. An even better solution is to provide a continious flow of water. The Drinkwell Pet Water Fountain provides a multitude of health benefits and will keep your cat out of the sink, and for some, out of the toliet.

Cow's milk got more hissing than purring: even though they love the taste, cats confessed to some lactose intolerance and preferred not to be tempted by a dairy treat. Tuna also got a thumbs down as it can be hard for kitty to digest and can cause severe constipation.

A pristine potty

Cats are "peticular" about their bathroom facilities, and if the litter box is not clean, big enough, or in a difficult-to-access area of your home, they may deem your favorite comforter a more appropriate place to do their business. Another comment meowed by many a member of our survey group: once a cat decides he likes a brand of litter, it is generally a good idea to stick with that one. Keep in mind, cats do not like scented litters.

You may consider using Sift Clean Sifting Litter Liners to make clean up the litter box a breeze. Remember to scrub down that litter box every once and awhile to extinguish those lingering smells. Good products to use include Simple Solution Litter Box Cleaner & Deodorizer and/or Get Serious Stain & Odor Extractor.

Keep it clean!

Cats are known for being fastidious self-groomers. However, that doesn't mean that they wouldn't appreciate a little help from you every now and then. Cats love regular brushing or combing sessions, which have the added benefit of preventing matted fur. Also, the more you brush, the less self-grooming your cat will require, and that will decrease hairball problems : the comb-like quality of a cat's tongue can lead to accidental swallowing of the loose fur, which will collect in the stomach and eventually lead to hairballs or vomiting.

The Self-Cleaning Cat Brush makes daily grooming a cinch. For long haired cats, consider purchasing a durable Metal Toothed Grooming Comb. A Grooming Comb as opposed to a Sliker Brush will help to pull out the dead hair and over-grown undercoat.

Careful about the claws...

Most cats were very appreciative of owners who tried behavioral training methods and provided scratching posts prior to having them declawed. Keeping kitty's nails trimmed is one of the most important things you can do. You the owner can trim thier nails at home using Cat Nail Trimmers. Human nail clippers are unacceptable as they can be very difficult to mange while attempting to hold your cat and they can splinter the nail. If you would rather not attempt trimming your cat's nails, most vet services and groomers will be happy to trim them for you for a small fee.

Let's play

Although most cats spend a great majority of their day catnapping, they all enjoy playtime. Chasing ribbons, milk jug rings, and laser point lights can entertain a cat for hours and help to keep them in shape . A word of caution, though: do not entertain your kitty with strings, rubber bands, or other objects that a cat could swallow, or you'll end up with an intestinal obstruction on your hands. Be sure to supervise your kitty while playing with smaller toys.

I want to be alone

Cats are solitary creatures in nature. Although they can come to tolerate sharing their territory with other cats, our survey respondents indicated that they preferred to keep the number to a minimum.

Regular check-ups

Most cats felt more frisky and healthy when provided with preventive healthcare and routine visits to the veterinary clinic. Regular examinations, recommended vaccinations, parasite and hairball prevention help make for a happy, long-lived pet.

*Article courtesy of VetCentric.com
Originally published June 12, 2005
Written by: Lesli Wyant, DVM
For more information on this article, please visit http://www.vetcentric.com