Domestic Shorthair

For health and safety reasons, it’s best to keep cats indoors. For cats, though, it means their sights, sounds and smells are limited to their home. That’s why feline experts recommend making sure your cat has plenty to do to keep their minds, bodies and senses engaged. Among the choices are food puzzles to satisfy their urge to hunt, cat trees and wall-mounting areas for climbing and scratching, interactive toys and games such as “cat-fishing” with a toy attached to a string on a pole. Best of all: Consider a “catio,” a screened enclosure for your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely, weather permitting. Providing your pet with environmental enrichment and opportunities to jump and exercise will keep them happier and healthier.

While some may view chunky kitties as having "more to love," the extra weight is actually doing more harm than good. Obesity is linked to multiple health concerns, so keeping cats lean is key to better health. The first step is recognizing your pet’s body condition, because many people don’t realize their pets are overweight! Your veterinary healthcare team can help, both with assessing body fat and with guidance for reducing weight, including special diets.

Quick-loss diets can be deadly for cats, so aim for slow, steady reduction. First step: Close the kitty buffet and measure out a daily portion. “Wet” food, which has a higher water content, can help, as can food puzzles that slow down eating. Interactive toys and games will help burn calories, with the end goal of a cat who’s fit, not fat.

Cats are often considered to be solitary, aloof animals, but in fact, unowned cats manage a complex web of social interactions in their communities. While it’s safer and healthier to keep cats inside, many of them prefer being with their own kind. The good news is that shelters have lots of feline friends to adopt! Consider adopting a bonded pair of cats, or a younger cat or kitten if you have an adult cat already.

Don’t rush the introductions: Let each cat choose how much – and how little – to interact, and provide separate food, water, litter boxes and cat trees. Even if both cats become good friends, they will likely still enjoy the privacy of their own space from time to time.