Never directly punish your cat
Never punish your cat physically. Even gentle taps on its back or nose are a big no-no. Physically dominating a cat will break your bond, and it can cause your pet to lash out or become withdrawn. Instead, research different ways to promote healthy cat behaviors.
Never push your cat off of the counter
No matter how curious your cat may be, it’s best to refrain from pushing them off the counter. Instead, try redirecting their attention or gently removing them from the situation that piques their curiosity. Remember, your cat doesn’t have any malicious intentions and would truly appreciate being treated with the care and respect it deserves.
Never declaw your cat
Surprisingly, declawing a cat actually involves removing the upper parts of their toes, putting them at a significant disadvantage when it comes to self-defense. Instead, consider alternative methods to discourage scratchings, such as utilizing specially designed tapes and sprays. This allows your cat to maintain their natural defenses while still addressing the issue of scratching.
Never overfeed your cat
Overfeeding your cat can result in future weight issues like diabetes, joint disease, and heart problems. To prevent these health issues, refrain from overfeeding and ensure your cat receives a well-balanced diet with essential nutrients. Additionally, regular exercise and portion control can play a crucial role in maintaining your cat’s overall health and preventing weight-related complications.
Do not fail to get your cat spayed or neutered
To avoid the challenges of caring for numerous kittens, having your cat spayed or neutered before they reach five months of age is advisable. These surgeries not only prevent unwanted litters but also reduce the likelihood of cats engaging in territorial spraying behaviors. Spaying or neutering your cat can also contribute to its overall health and well-being, reducing the risk of reproductive-related diseases.
Never let multiple cats share the same litter box
Cats value their privacy, especially in a multi-cat household. To ensure their comfort, provide each cat with their own dedicated litter box. This allows them to use the bathroom in the security of their own private space. Having multiple litter boxes also helps prevent litter box conflicts and territorial disputes among the cats, promoting a harmonious environment in your home.
Do not forget to insure your cat
There are numerous insurance companies that provide coverage for your beloved pets. Pet insurance comes in handy when your cat falls ill or, even worse, develops conditions like cancer. Investing in insurance early on is often more cost-effective than facing exorbitant medical bills without coverage. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Don’t give your cat milk
Most cats are actually lactose intolerant, despite the constant images you see in movies and TV showing cats merrily slurping up milk. Cats don’t possess the enzyme in their intestines to digest the lactose in milk, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Instead, stick to water.
Never neglect taking your cat to the veterinarian
Don’t forget to schedule regular checkups with your cat’s veterinarian. This proactive approach can help identify potential issues before they escalate into significant problems. At the very least, make sure to take your cat for an annual exam to ensure their well-being. Regular veterinary checkups also allow for preventive care measures, such as vaccinations and parasite control.
Never keep your cat from exposure to the outside world
Indoor cats enjoy watching the birds outside too. To provide them with ample exposure to the outside world, consider opening the window shades, allowing them to gaze outside. Additionally, leaving the window slightly open allows your cat to enjoy a breath of fresh air. However, it’s important to prioritize your cat’s safety by installing secure window screens to prevent any accidents or escapes.
Never back your cat into a corner
Avoid cornering your cat without an escape route – it’s essential always to provide them with a way out. Otherwise, they may become agitated, leading to potential aggression or lashing out. Such situations can also contribute to your cat feeling anxious or stressed, which may result in behavioral changes.
Don’t bring cat-toxic plants into your home
Before you go plant shopping, make sure that you do your research. There are many plants that can be lethal to cats, including lilies, daffodils, sago palms, and more. Ensure the safety of your furry friend by always double-checking the potential effects of any plant you bring into your home.
Never forget to clean your cat’s water dish
While you may believe that merely emptying out the old water from your cat’s dish and refilling it with fresh water is sufficient, the truth is, it’s not. It’s crucial to scrub and rinse the bowl to eliminate any potential mold or unhealthy substances. Your feline friend will thank you for the extra care!
Avoid loudly scolding your cat
Yelling at your cat can increase its levels of anxiety, causing your fur baby to become uneasy when it’s around you. It may also result in your cat becoming agitated around other people, causing a general distrust amongst humans. Some cats even see scolding as encouragement, as their behavior garnered attention from you.
Don’t give your cat yarn
Cats love yarn and string, showing playful signs whenever they’re presented with it. However, yarn presents many risks to felines. Yarn can be a choking hazard, cause internal entanglement, or result in strangulation. Be on the safe side and purchase some cat-friendly toys for your little buddy to play with instead.
Never force your attention on a cat
Allow your cat to come to you when it wants attention, rather than scooping it up when it would otherwise wish to be left alone. Cats are expressive creatures, making it easy to read their tells when they want affection or space. Respect your cat – it’s a living being with its own desires, after all.
Don’t play with your hands
Cats love a good play session. However, you need to ensure that you never play with a cat directly with your hands, taunting the animal by making them pounce on your fingers. It reinforces hunting habits, allowing your cat to forever see human hands as something to catch. Instead, play with your cat with different toys.
Don’t forget to groom your cat
Brushing your cat every other day will help to reduce the amount of excess hair they carry, helping to minimize skin conditions and reduce hairballs. Regular brushings can also help you to spot any potential fleas on your feline, while deepening the bond between you both.
Never smoke near your cat
Smoking is dangerous for humans, let alone cats. Cats are more at risk than most animals of smoke-related issues due to their self-grooming habits, as they can directly ingest the toxic particles. Combining this with inhaling second-hand smoke could increase the risk of your cat getting blood or mouth cancer.
Don’t forget to introduce a routine
Cats are creatures of habit that love routine, as it helps them to feel safe and content. To increase the happiness of your furry friend, ensure that both feeding times are at a set time each day, and that you carve out a dedicated slice of playtime for your pet.
Avoid feeding your cat only dry food
While it’s important to not give your cat human food, you also need to avoid a dry-only diet. Although dry food may be less expensive and lasts longer, some varieties don’t have all of the necessary nutrients your furry friend needs. Besides, eating the exact same meal day after day eventually becomes boring, so mix up your cat’s meals.
Don’t shave your cat
Unless advised by a vet, there’s never any need to shave your cat. Some owners may think that shaving their cat will help to cool them down in the summer, but it actually has the opposite effect – their fur helps to protect them from the sun.
Never give your cat animal bones
Although your cat may happily eat up a bone, it doesn’t mean you should give it to them. Bones can splinter, potentially causing fatal internal bleeding. Bones can also break your kitty’s teeth, cause mouth pain, and can give your cat infections. Instead, opt for treats made specifically for cats.
Don’t deprive your cat of attention
Cats need attention – whether it’s cuddles, playtime, or simply spending time with them. Ignoring your cat’s pleas for attention can result in destructive or aggressive behaviors due to their high levels of bottled-up energy. Furthermore, a failure to show affection to your cat can make your pet miserable. If they’re willing, go and give them a gentle squeeze!
Avoid subjecting your cat to loud noises
Cats naturally associate loud noises with danger, which is why they can be easily spooked by sudden bangs. Constant exposure to loud noises can give your cat noise phobia, making them forever startled by booms and crashes. Try to create a peaceful environment for your cat so it can live a happy, stress-free life.
Don’t drive with your cat on your lap
This should go without saying – never drive without your cat being securely fastened. If you need to suddenly brake, your cat could be flung inside your car, potentially injuring your pet. Worse still, if you get into an accident, there’s a risk that your cat could fly throw the windscreen, potentially causing fatal harm.
Never toy with your cat for your own amusement
All living creatures deserve respect – cats included. They aren’t your personal plaything to be picked up and used whenever you’re bored. Respect your pet’s needs, desires, and boundaries, enriching their life instead of hindering it. If your cat shows signs of distress when you approach it, it’s best to leave it be.
Don’t abandon your cat
Never – under any circumstance – abandon your cat. If you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, or your circumstances have changed, don’t simply ditch your cat outside, assuming it’ll be able to fend for itself. Take it to a cat shelter, ensuring it has a safe home.
Never leave your cat alone with children
If your cat is a relatively new addition to your household, never leave it alone with young children. Kids don’t understand animal tells like adults do, meaning that they might pester or annoy your furry friend. Ensure that children are supervised around your cat to create a stress-free life for your pet.
Don’t leave your cat outside without supervision
If your cat is naturally housebound, don’t let it outside and assume it’ll be able to fend for itself. If your cat isn’t used to the usual dangers of the outside world, it may easily get itself into peril. Start small, accompanying your cat as it ventures outside to ensure its safety.
Don’t forget to microchip
Microchipping your cat is highly important. Regardless if your cat ventures outdoors or not, you need to get it chipped in order to track it down if it ever goes missing. Pets that are microchipped are twice as likely to be reunited with their owners, making it a worthwhile venture.
Never throw your cat
Treat your kitty like a newborn child – with care, love, and affection. You should never, ever throw your cat – even if you think it’s teaching them a lesson in behavior. Being thrown will destroy the bond between you and your pet, making it hard for your furry friend to trust you in the future.
Don’t ignore frequent hairballs
You may think that your cat coughing up hairballs is a normal occurrence – but you’d be mistaken. A normal amount is about roughly once a month. Any more than that, and you should take your cat to the vet, as it could be a sign of serious health issues.
Never leaver your cat in the dark
If you have to leave your cat for an extended period of time, ensure that you don’t leave your cat plunged in the dark. Leave the blinds open, or switch a lamp on. Cats can’t see in total darkness, meaning they could injure themselves if there’s no light source in their home.
Don’t forget to clean your cat’s litter box
Cats are proud creatures, so it can severely affect their happiness if their litter box is constantly left to be a mess. A dirty litter box can also pose a health hazard, potentially giving your cat urinary tract disease or the fatal feline urethral obstruction.
Never pull your cat’s tail
Pulling on your cat’s tail isn’t just unnecessarily cruel, it can also create serious problems for your furry friend. Several of your cat’s vertebrae are located in their tail, meaning that pulling on it can actually result in paralysis. Treat your furry friend with kindness, not cruelty.
Avoid over-medicating your cat
Only give medication to your cat that has been approved by your vet. Don’t make a decision to medicate your cat by yourself, buying over-the-counter pills in order to try and help whatever condition you think your cat is experiencing. Vets are the experts – listen to them.
Don’t forget to brush your cat’s teeth
Brushing your cat’s teeth is important, as it can remove plaque or potential tartar. If you fail to practice dental hygiene for your furry friend, they may get gingivitis, which can progress to periodontal disease. This can be highly painful for your pet, and could ultimately lead to loss.
Never dress your cat up
As cute as cat outfits may be, you should never dress your cat up. Wearing clothing can cause your furry pal a lot of stress, making them more aggressive towards you. It can also make your cat both mentally and physically uncomfortable, reducing their overall quality of life – even if it’s for a few minutes. Leave your cat be – a collar is all it needs.
Don’t tease your cat with a laser pointer
You may think that cats enjoy chasing laser pointers, but the opposite is true. While they may provide a form of exercise and entertainment, they can also stress your cat out, giving them an endless chase that they can’t fulfill. There are plenty of alternative methods to keep your cat active.