National Pet Appreciation Week

They love you day in, day out. Take this week to especially show your appreciation for pets and all the ways they enrich your life!

Photo courtesy of Chad Castigliano/Chronicker Photography

 Part 2 of 2: 10 Ways to Appreciate Your Cat*

#1 Therapy by Brushing: Most cats enjoy the rhythmic front-to-back glide of a brush or comb through their fur. Brushing also builds a bond between feline and owner while stimulating their skin and cleaning their fur.

#2 Give them a New Sleeping Space: Cats are sleep connoisseurs, so give them a newly designated sleeping spot and maybe plush it up with a new luxury cat bet or mat to make the space extra special.

#3 Switch up the Kitty Toys: They can never really have enough and cat toys tend to be inexpensive. So rotate the toys out to keep things interesting for your furry friend.

#4 Give them Daily Interactive Play: The benefits for kitty and you abound: physical and mental excercise, strengthening your bond, etc. Try a rousing session of "prey" peek-a-boo...peek out, sneak back, and wait for your cat to rush over. Don't forget the laser game!

#5 Treat Surprises: Let your cat discover treats in little places around the house, like their scratching post or food bowl. You can also offer treats as rewards after a play session.

#6 Options for Your Master Scratcher: For your cat's enrichment, offer them different options of scratching posts (upright, flat, or inclined) and keep them close together...they're more likely to take a quick scratch if the post is nearby. Scratching is an important way for cats to keep their claws conditioned (without taking it out on your couch!) and is an effective way to stretch their back and shoulder muscles. Learn more about cat scratching here.

#7 Peace and Quiet: If you walk into the YHS cattery, you can usually hear a pin drop over the soft classical music playing. Cats enjoy their quiet time. Share some silence over a calm pet; you'll both enjoy the peace! 

#8 Cardboard Creativity: It's not just toddlers who enjoy a nice, empty cardboard box. Your fur kid will enjoy all the endless options exploring their box, and it's a bargain for you too!

#9 Window Daydreams: If your cat doesn't have a place to perch by the window, they will be in heaven if you make a viewing spot for them. Whether it's a taller cat condo or simply a desk near the window, they'll enjoy the view...especially if it's within spotting distance of a birdbath or a birdfeader. Free entertainment!

#10 Chat Away: 95% of cat owners already admit to talking to their cat. Keep up the good work! Get familiar with how your cat communicates, and have a conversation. You can use verbal cues to train your cat, and make sure plenty of praise is sprinkled in. The more you communicate, the better you two will become at understanding each other.  

*Reblogged from cathealth.com