Ensuring Your Cat's Health and Happiness on this International Cat Day

You cannot live with a cat without realizing they have unique personalities, thoughts, and emotions. At Virbac India, we understand that ensuring your cat's health and happiness requires more than just love – it demands a deep respect for their natural instincts and behaviours. As we celebrate International Cat Day, let us reflect on how we can best care for these complex beings that share our homes and hearts.

Safe Spaces, A Must Have

Your home should be a sanctuary for your cat, filled with secure spaces where they can retreat when feeling threatened. Remember, cats have instincts both as predators and prey in nature, and their natural inclination to hide is deeply ingrained. When your cat encounters unfamiliar situations—be it a new visitor or a rearranged living room—they need a safe place to observe and adjust.

Consider providing:

- Cardboard boxes with multiple entry and exit points

- Accessible cupboards (ensuring they cannot get trapped)

- High shelves or perches (with safe access routes)

These hideaways allow your cat to feel protected while maintaining a watchful eye on their surroundings.

Respecting the Sense of Smell

Cats depend greatly on their sense of smell to understand and explore their environment. You might have noticed your cat rubbing its cheeks on furniture or corners of walls, leaving behind brown marks over a period of time—this is their way of marking territory. It is essential not to interfere or wipe off  these scent markers. They help your cat feel at home and secure.

Providing Plentiful Resources

Ensuring ample resources is key to your cat's well-being, especially in multi-cat households.

Essential resources include:

- Food and water bowls

- Litter boxes

- Resting areas

- Scratching posts

- Play areas

For multi-cat homes, follow the "n+1" rule: provide one more of each resource than the number of cats you have. This reduces competition and stress among your feline family members.

Play and Natural Behaviours

Play is more than just fun for cats—it is crucial for their physical and mental well-being. It lets them exhibit natural hunting behaviours, ensures they get exercise, and provides mental stimulation. Without enough playtime, cats can become bored, frustrated, and may even develop behavioural problems.

Offer a variety of toys:

- Solo toys for independent play

- Interactive toys for bonding with you

- Puzzle feeders to stimulate their problem-solving abilities

Remember, rotating their toy collection keeps them novel and exciting for your cat.

Positive Human-Cat Interaction

Maintaining a positive, consistent, and predictable interaction with your cat is important. Always stay calm and composed, even if they exhibit behaviours you do not like. Avoid shouting or screaming. Let your cat initiate interactions, whether it is being petted or picked up. Respect their signals—if they move away, stop petting them. Building a mutually respectful bond with your cat ensures a happy and healthy relationship.

Love and Attention

Contrary to popular belief, cats are not antisocial. They crave your love and attention. Each cat has unique preferences—some enjoy head rubs, while others prefer back scratches. Learn your cat’s likes and dislikes. Any change in behaviour can indicate early signs of illness, so stay attuned to their needs and consider a vet visit if you notice significant changes.

Environmental Enrichment

Indoor-only living has its benefits but also comes with risks like boredom and lack of exercise. An enriched environment can prevent or treat behaviour problems. Provide high places for surveying, scratching posts made of various materials, window perches for watching the outside world, and cozy beds for relaxation. These elements help your cat express natural behaviours and stay mentally stimulated.

Good Nutrition

Proper nutrition is foundational to your cat's health and happiness. As obligate carnivores, cats require a diet high in animal proteins and low in carbohydrates. A high-quality animal protein diet, works well to increase water intake – a perfect solution for our water-averse feline buddies. This also helps keep urinary troubles at bay! Work with your veterinarian to choose a diet that meets your cat's specific needs based on their age, health status, and lifestyle.

Consider:

- Balancing wet and dry food for optimal hydration

- Choosing foods with high-quality, digestible ingredients

- Addressing any specific health concerns through diet

Virbac India offers a range of Virbac veterinary products in India, including Virbac’s VETERINARY HPM^® diets, which are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats. These diets provide high levels of animal proteins and low levels of carbohydrates, ensuring the best cat food for your feline friend. On this International Cat Day 2024, consider integrating these products into your cat’s diet to support their overall health and well-being.

Combining a dry diet, like VETERINARY HPM^® by Virbac India  with wet diets, can provide the best cat food that covers both nutritional requirements and hydration needs. For instance, giving your cat one pouch of wet food daily, complemented by the appropriate amount of dry kibble, ensures a balanced diet. In cases of specific health issues, such as urinary or renal problems, consult your vet for a specific commercial diet (dry and/or wet) that suits the specific need.

As we celebrate International Cat Day, let us commit to creating environments where our feline friends can truly flourish. By understanding and respecting their unique needs, we can ensure our cats lead healthy, happy lives filled with comfort, stimulation, and love. After all, a content cat makes for a joyful home, enriching our lives as much as we enrich theirs.