Various Things to Make Your Cat(s) Happy

I'm a Catmom with two - almost 13 year old, American Short-Haired gray tabbies, named Topcat (TC) and Sweetie. These are my babies and I would do anything in this world to make them happy, and to keep them healthly and content. I've spent thousands of dollars on cat toys, cat beds, cat perches, cat scratchers, cat water fountains, catnip, barley/wheat grass, hairball medication, various litter box options, etc. If it's out there in the stores, I've probably bought it for my babies. Suffice it to say, that some items have been greatly loved, and others ignored. Money was generally not an important issue for them. Sometimes, the cheaper and simplier it is, the more they like it.

I've found that one of the best things out there is a corrugated piece of cardboard in a cardboard frame that you can sprinkle with catnip to get their interest. I think it is marketed as a "Cat Scratcher". Both of my babies love these, and, so, I have two on the lower level of my townhome, in my home office, three on the main level (Living/Dining Room and Kitchen), and three on the upper level (bedrooms and bath). The cats will scratch them, and then just sit on top of them, or lay down and take a nap on them, or fling toys onto them and then kick them off, etc. You get the picture. It is such a simple idea, but I have to say, one of the best things in my house.

Of course, other simple things that my babies love are empty boxes, paper bags, or the good ol' laundry basket. TC likes to jump into the laundry basket (when its empty) and then have me carry him around in it.

One of their favorite toys is the small little cushions which are filled with "fluff" and apparently sprinkled with catnip, and then covered in simple material. Just little rectangles. Nothing fancy. But they will lick them and carry them around, or put their head on them, all the time. TC likes to kick his down the stairs, so Mommy (me) will go get it and throw it back up the stairs to him.

I've also tried other more complex and/or expensive items to keep them happy, such as the cat water fountain. TC loves it, and will not drink from other water bowls, although he mostly likes to drink from the spout, rather than the larger open bowl part. Sweetie, on the other hand, has never liked it and will not even get near it. She apparently doesn't like the noise.

I also tried Feliway, both the spray and the air diffuser, several years ago, when they had a spat and wouldn't talk to each other, because a stray cat came up to their window and wanted to come in. Due to displaced aggression, since they couldn't get to the stray cat, they started fighting with each other. Sweetie wouldn't come out of the bedroom for days, and would hiss and growl everytime TC came into the room. I think the Feliway worked a little bit, but I really ended up having to go through the introduction process all over again, although they had been together for at least seven or eight years. If you cat is easily frightened or nervous, this might work for them.

Of course, the cats' favorite things are their cat perches. I have six cat perches throughout my house. The babies like to have the highest view possible, and also love to have their perches near the window. That way they can watch the birds or other things outside, while still surveying their territory inside. I've found that my babies need percehes with the widest bases so that they don't topple over when one of the cats jumps on them. I would certainly recommend a cat perch or two to keep your baby happy.

Those a just a few ideas that came to mind initially. I would love to hear some of your ideas for making your cat or cats happy, and will continue to post frequently. It really doesn't take a lot of money or complex ideas to keep them happy, but if it did, I would go to any lengths for my babies' welfare.