Welcome to Happy Cat Month! While the Best Friends Veterinary Care team believes that your cat’s happiness is an everyday priority, the CATalyst Council™ created this official recognition to raise awareness about feline well-being.

Here are some tips for measuring your cat’s mood, followed by seven secrets to making your cat happy.

The happiness purr-ometer: Is my cat happy?

Unlike dogs, cats tend to express their emotions in subtle ways. Paying attention to your cat’s visual cues and behavior can help you learn to speak their language and determine their mood.

Signs that suggest your cat is happy include:

  • Normal eating, drinking, grooming, and sleeping habits
  • Normal litter box habits
  • Regular social interactions and play
  • Direct eye contact and chatter (e.g., high-pitched meowing and “talking”)
  • Purring, if accompanied by relaxed body language
  • Rubbing, head-butting, or kneading
  • Slow blinking
  • Upright tail position

If your cat demonstrates some or all of these signs, congratulations, your feline friend is feeling fabulous. However, if your cat is hiding, not grooming, or displaying other concerning or uncharacteristic behavior, schedule an appointment at Best Friends Veterinary Care. Ensure your veterinarian rules out illness or pain as the cause of your cat’s behavior before following the recommendations below.

Happiness is a contented cat: 7 secrets to making your cat happy

It’s time to let your cat’s happiness out of the bag. Our seven secrets to a happier, healthier cat include:

  • #1: Engaging your cat with interactive play — Cats are natural hunters, and engaging them in interactive play helps satisfy their predatory instincts. Use feather wands, laser pointers, and motion-activated toys to stimulate your cat’s natural urge to stalk, chase, and pounce. As little as a few minutes of daily play can help keep your cat physically fit and mentally stimulated.
  • #2: Embracing novelty by rotating your cat’s toys — Variety is the spice of life, and the same is true for cats. Regularly rotating your feline friend’s toys can keep things fresh and exciting. Try different types of toys—such as balls, stuffed animals, and puzzle feeders—to find out what your cat enjoys most. Avoid rotating comfort items such as beds or scratching posts because this may cause stress or anxiety.
  • #3: Creating a comfortable environment — When it comes to comfort, cats have some unique preferences. While we can agree on a mutual love for soft bedding, cats also enjoy small hiding spaces (e.g., boxes and enclosed cat beds) and elevated perches (e.g., cat trees or shelves). Cozy quarters and high places help cats feel safe, providing a place to escape to and secretly observe their surroundings.
  • #4: Respecting your cat — Cats are highly individual and prefer different levels of human interaction and engagement. Recognize and respect your cat’s preferences for petting, grooming, privacy, and social interaction. While it can be tempting to snuggle a cat who prefers a low-contact relationship, doing so can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety and negatively affect your bond.

  • #5: Maintaining your cat’s health with regular veterinary care — Health and happiness are intimately linked. Regular veterinary care, including routine wellness visits, ensures the prevention of many avoidable illnesses and health conditions, as well as early detection of disease, pain, and age-related changes that can compromise your cat’s happiness and well-being.
  • #6: Challenging your cat’s mind — Cats are intelligent creatures and need mental stimulation to stay happy. Puzzle feeders, cat trees, and interactive toys promote learning, problem-solving, and a positive mood. Consider setting up a bird feeder outside a window or playing cat-specific videos to provide visual stimulation.
  • #7: Keeping your cat’s litter box clean and tidy — Litter box maintenance is crucial for your cat’s comfort and well-being. Scoop your cat’s litter box daily and replace the litter often. Avoid abruptly changing brands or types and only use unscented litter. Ensure the litter box is in a quiet, accessible location to promote comfort and consistent use.

The secret to making your cat happy is providing consistent, attentive, and purr-sonalized care. While the tips above can help you increase your cat’s happiness, their responses will show you how to make Happy Cat Month a year-round event.  

Is your happy-go-lucky feline feeling low? Let the Best Friends Veterinary Care team help. Contact us to schedule an appointment.