While we’re positive you respect your cat on a daily basis, there’s actually a special holiday to honor our cats. March 28th is Respect Your Cat Day!
That means on this particular day, you should make sure to show your feline extra love. Whether it’s giving your kitty some bonus treats or a few extra pets, there are plenty of simple ways to respect your cat.
However, while these are great ways to honor your cat, respecting your cat goes much further. You also have to know how to properly take care of them and how they’d like to be treated, handled, and held.
Innocent things, such as feeding your cat too much food, holding your cat in a way that makes them feel unsafe, and even petting your cat in a way that annoys them, can come across as disrespectful to cats.
Here are ten tips that will improve your relationship with your cat so they’ll truly know you respect them on Respect Your Cat Day.
1. Pet Your Cat The Right Way
Petting your cat may seem like a simple task, but you might notice there are times you’ve pet your cat and their mood suddenly begins to change.
Cats are complicated, as many cat parents know, so you want to be careful where you pet them. This is good tip especially for children so they know how to pet a cat without disturbing them and making them jump or scratch them, as petting a cat requires a bit more finesse than petting a dog.
As the video above explains, cats like it best when you pet their head and neck region, while it is best to stay away from their belly.
2. Learn How To Hold A Cat
The right way to hold a cat may seem fairly obvious. However, there is actually a proper way to pick them so they are comfortable and less likely to be skittish and afraid.
This video explains that the more of a cat’s body is touching you, the more comfortable they will feel. It’s best to keep them close to your body so they feel more secure. The more they feel like they aren’t going to fall, the more stable they will be.
While this technique for picking up and holding works on some cats, it’s a given that not all cats like to be held at all. And that’s perfectly okay.
Just remember that if your cat doesn’t like being held, don’t force something on them they don’t enjoy.
3. Only Scruff A Cat In An Emergency
Scruffing a cat is a technique that’s good to know for emergencies. Naturally, mama cats will pick up their kittens by the scruff of their neck when they are very young, carrying them around from place to place in a safe manner.
However, it’s also used by mama cats as a disciplinary measure. That means that scruffing should not be done unless it’s a real emergency.
For example, scruffing a cat might prevent them from attacking another cat, human, or animal, or from running in the street. Don’t scruff your cat unless it’s absolutely necessary.
4. Maintain Your Cat’s Coat
Brushing is a significant part of parenting a cat. It keeps their coat healthy, thus helping to keep your cat healthy overall.
The video above is especially worth watching for people with long-haired cats. Long-haired cats can develop problems with knots and matted hair, so it’s extremely important to brush them on a daily basis so this doesn’t happen.
There are certain types of brushes good for long-haired cats, as the video shows, and it’s good to know exactly where matted hair can build up so you know to focus on brushing those areas.
5. Know How Much To Feed Your Cat
One of the most common questions cat parents ask the internet is “How much should I feed my cat?”
Just like how every human is different, not all cats require the same diet. Depending on your cat’s metabolism, lifestyle, and activity level, the amount of food they need will differ from other cats.
The video above goes over some basics to make it easier to figure out what to feed your cat, explaining the differences between the various dry and wet foods, along with the feeding guidelines each manufacturer recommends.
This is a good video to watch, especially if you’re a new cat adopter.
6. Learn When & How To Bathe Your Cat
Cats and water — a.k.a. the worst combination ever. You may be thinking it’s impossible to bathe your cat because it’s so difficult to get them in the water.
While you may be right that it’s difficult, don’t say it’s impossible until you try. Luckily, cats don’t need baths very often, and many don’t need baths at all unless they get into something particularly smelly and dirty. But sometimes a cat bath is necessary.
The video above goes over it step-by-step. The cat parent doesn’t just show how to bathe your cat; he also explains how to prepare your cat for their bath and make them comfortable. You don’t just want to throw your cat into the bath and see what happens, but instead get them ready for the ordeal.
You might have to be patient, but bathing your cat is not an impossible feat.
7. Trim Nails Properly
You might think that trimming a cat’s nails is so difficult that you’ve already given up. But before you give up completely, know that it’s important to a cat’s health, especially indoor cats.
As the video above explains, cats’ nails are always growing. Indoor cats may have problems if their nails get too long, as they can get them stuck on the carpet and tear them off.
Other problems can occur if the nail grows too long and curves into the pad, causing an infection.
Before you say it’s too hard, watch this walkthrough video because it might save your cat from an infection.
8. Learn About Litter Training
Litter boxes are great, but they’re not so great if your cat doesn’t use them.
If your cat isn’t housebroken, don’t worry because it’s a very simple task to teach them.
If you’re thinking about adding a cat to your family or you’re a brand new cat parent, the video above is great to keep in mind. Training your cat to use the litter box is pretty straightforward for both you and your cat.
Also, remember it’s extremely important for your cat’s health to keep the box clean on a daily basis.
9. Make Sure Your Cat Isn’t Bored
While many people get cats because they aren’t as high maintenance as dogs, that doesn’t mean you can just ignore them.
Cats need attention just like any other pet. If you are busy throughout the day, there are some great toys that can keep your cat’s attention without you having to give it to them 24/7.
Little, robotic toys that move by themselves and food dispensing toys are good distractions for your cat.
Remember though, these toys should not serve as a replacement for you physically playing with your cat.
10. Understand Cat Body Language
Part of respecting your cat is knowing how to understand your cat’s body language. Knowing what basic body movements mean can improve your relationship with them.
For example, knowing the difference between aggression and fear is very important. Similarly, when your cat exposes their belly to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s okay to go in for a pet.
Remember, just because your dog might be happy when they wag their tail, it doesn’t mean the same for your cat.
Do you have any other tips for showing felines respect? How will you honor your cat for Respect Your Cat Day? Let us know and leave a comment below!
