Bond with Your Cat this Winter with These 3 Easy Tips

Even though the long winter is finally reaching its end, there are still some cold days left before families can run and play outside. Since so many of us are trapped indoors, it’s a great time to cuddle up and spend some extra time with a beloved cat! Sadly, according to the Ontario SPCA, nearly one-fifth of cats were returned to shelters in Ontario in 2013, post-holiday. The top three reasons included cats conflicting with other pets in the home, allergic reactions and behavioural problems, including litter box issues. Spend some quality time with your cat to make them feel at ease and part of the family with these three great tips!

Treat their Tummies

Make sure your cats maintain a healthy and balanced diet. This may require consulting your veterinarian. Just like humans, cats have different nutritional needs depending on their age and health. Otherwise, stick to quality food and fresh, clean water. Despite popular belief, milk shouldn’t be a main source of hydration and may actually cause stomach discomfort.

A pet health food store also told me once that including wet food in a cat’s diet is hugely important, because in the wild cats rarely drink water and instead get their moisture from the live food they catch and eat. Providing some wet food along with dry food sources allows for optimal health and helps prevent obesity.

Set the Stage

Just like we want to curl up during the cold winter, so do our cats! That’s why it’s important to make sure your cats are comfortable. Cats are naturally very clean so an untidy litter box won’t do. Try Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Complete Odour Sealing Cat Litter, the only litter that forms a tight seal around their mess and destroys it with unique odour eliminators and Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Also, place litter boxes far from food areas and use the North and South, East and West rule. Putting food and litter at opposite ends of your home encourages proper practices.

Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal is an absolute must in my household, especially because my beloved Racer is sometimes left alone for a few days when we travel. Keeping her litter box smelling pleasant is something that her and I both appreciate and with Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal, it’s not hard to do! I especially love how well the formula clumps so that I can easily remove waste without wasting extra litter.

Toy with Trinkets

Cats are incredibly curious about their surroundings. They’ll pounce on anything that moves, rolls or sways. Pair a scratching post with a ball of string, a feather teaser stick, or even a stuffed mouse – any of these will do the trick! Just be sure the items you bring are safe for your cat and cannot be swallowed or easily torn apart.

Remember that there’s no need to spend a fortune on toys, either. Sometimes the simplest gadgets can provide hours of amusement for a frisky feline. In fact, Racer’s two favourite toys are a knitted finger puppet that once belonged to my boys and a basic plastic ball from an old toy set. Toss around a few toys or trinkets you no longer use and see which one piques your cat’s interest!

With a little bit of care and attention, you’ll soon form an incredible bond with your cat. The joy a loveable feline can add to your house is worth every bit of the effort put into making her at home. Good food, a comfortable living space and a few little toys are all it takes to make your cat feel like she’s part of the family!