5 ways to make your cat happy

Our feline friends are true treasures to any household and so, it only seems right that we think about the ways we can give back and make them happy. 

Just like humans, cats have a wide range of emotions, and sadly this includes negative ones such as boredom, depression or even loneliness. But there’s good news — our felines aren’t quite as complicated as us, so keeping them happy is not as hard a task as you may expect. 

‘Is my cat happy?’, ‘How to tell if a cat is happy?’, we hear you ask. Fear not, as we’ve looked into the inner workings of a cat’s mind and compiled some top tips on how to make your cat happy...

1. Toys, toys, toys!

Just like humans, boredom can cause cats to feel down. It’s important to take the time to play with your cat, using toys and different games such as chasing a laser pointer or throwing a ping pong ball in a bathtub. You could even create an indoor jungle gym where they can jump, climb and play too. Overall, just keep it interesting. And if they become tired of their old toys, why not make new ones or rotate them — those old toys will then seem like new and exciting ones! So, remember, playing with them is a fantastic way to make your cat happy.

2. Provide views of the great outdoors

Watching squirrels and birds scootering outside can provide cats with hours of entertainment, but does your cat have a great spot to sit and view the outside mayhem? We suggest a cosy spot by the window where they can catch some sun and have a snooze after all the excitement has passed. Why not put a bird feeder outside their viewpoint; that’s sure to make a great show and entertain them for hours. A window with a view is the best cat TV and will likely keep your moggy very happy. 

3. Put on a YouTube playlist

Whether it’s pouncing towards that fake fish or tapping their gentle paws on a screen full of insects, many cats love YouTube. Yes, there are lots of videos that are purely made for our precious kitties! Whether that’s of other felines, fish, birds or even just videos of the great outdoors. So grab your computer, tablet or phone — as long as you don’t mind the odd paw or claw on it— and find a playlist full of engaging cat videos. It’s a quick and easy way to increase your cat’s happiness levels. 

Why not check out Trusted TV, a playlist dedicated to entertaining the pets of TrustedHousesitters?

4. Snuggle time

We know not all cats like to cuddle, but the ones that do will be overjoyed with a daily snuggle routine. Just grab a blanket to put on your lap so those unforgiving claws don’t catch your legs while they're kneading, and then settle down to enjoy some quality time with your kitty. While you know your cat best, we don’t recommend tummy tickles as that can cause your kitty to dig their claws through even the thickest blanket!

5. Dinner time = treasure hunt!

Most cats are fed the same food at the same time, and as much as this has its benefits, it’s not really a ‘challenge’. Why not add some excitement to dinner time and awaken your feline’s hunting instincts? By hunting for their food, they’ll gain mental stimulation and feel even more satisfied when they finally eat. While you can buy puzzle feeders and food dispensers, there are plenty of guides online that show you how to make them too.

Behaviour of a happy cat 

You may be wondering what’s the best way to tell whether your feline friend is happy or not. It makes sense. Any caring cat parent wants their cat to be happy, right? Cats are highly individual and each has their own personality - exactly as we humans - but they have different ways of showing happiness and contentment.

Cute moggies express their feelings through body language and vocalisations, and they use different parts of their body to display their mood of the moment. Read on, because we’re going to tell you the signs of a happy cat.

1. Vocal clues - Kitties of all ages can be very chatty, especially when they’re in a happy mood. So, if your cat is having long chats with you and their meows are high pitched, then there’s a chance you have a happy cat in the house. Cute and soothing purring is, most of the time, an indication of cat happiness and even bliss. In case you’re curious, read our guide on why do cats purr. 
2. Grooming - If cats are happy, they will keep themselves well-groomed and looking their best. On top of that, cheery kitties will groom other cats or even lick you - which is a sign of trust and love. 
3. Relaxed posture - Is your cat sleeping with their paws tucked under? Are they relaxed, chill and soft, all curled up like a donut? Well, when cats are in a good mood and don’t feel stressed or threatened they tend to relax and make themselves small and even more adorable. 
4. Expressivity - Cats are highly expressive creatures. You’ll notice their eyes and ears look different depending on how they feel. If you spot their eyes are suddenly dilated, then that means your kitty is a happy one. In the same way, when cats are happy their eyes face forward, but tilt back just slightly. 
5. Social napping - Felines love their naps, that’s for sure. But when they sleep with other kitties or - even better - choose you as a bed-buddy, then you’ll know they’re truly content. We’ve got more information about why cats sleep so much here. 
6. They want to play - When cats are happy, they’ll want to play with other pets and humans they trust and love. 
7. A healthy appetite - Happy kitties are those with a good appetite. Whether they want treats or ask for food by rubbing around your legs and meowing, signalling it’s dinner time, if your cat has a healthy appetite that means they are happy. Need some inspiration regarding cat food? Read our guide to fresh food for cats, learn what cats can and cannot eat, and check out best cat food for sensitive stomachs.   

Other 8 tips to keep your cat happy

In case you still need some more ideas to make your cat happy, here’s 8 extra tips to achieve that extra feline happiness.

1. Get a scratching post

Cats love stretching and scratching, as it’s good for their claws. In fact, scratching is a very important aspect of feline behaviour. If you don’t want your furniture to suffer, get a scratching post - or a few of them - so that your happy cat can scratch way as much as they feel like. 

2. Help your cat stay groomed

Regular grooming with your moggy’s favourite grooming brush can be great fun and will feel like a massage to the resident feline. On top of being a lovely experience for them, it’s also great for their coat and prevents matted fur and hairballs. 

3. Let your cat climb

In the wild, felines are natural climbers that pursue prey into trees and seek high places. Well, your lovely kitty still has those innate climbing instincts and abilities and will delight in having a cat tree they can climb at home. You can build your own or buy one. Or you could add “cat shelves” throughout your home so that they can take their climbing to the top. 

4. Go for a walk

Although some cats will prefer to stay indoors and won’t be too keen on being taken for a walk, some will love exploring the great outdoors with you from the safety of a cat harness and a leash - yes, really! You’ll need to get them used to the harness and the leash, but going for walks can make your cat really happy, if they are so inclined. 

5. Playtime

We already mentioned this one in the first list in this guide to make your cat happy when we talked about the importance of giving them toys that stimulate them and unleash their innate playfulness. But we’ll repeat it once more, because to keep your cat happy you should play with them each day. It will increase their happiness levels and strengthen your bond. 

6. Keep their environment clean

Cats can be picky creatures and they sure love neat and tidy homes. You may have noticed they won’t go near their litter box unless it’s spotless and clean, right? Then you know how important it is to keep their environment clean. 

7. Time for themselves

Like humans, cats need privacy and time for themselves too. You may have noticed they love to hide in a box or a secluded place - under your bed or behind the sofa, for example. So it’s always a good idea to arrange a hideaway where they can go chill, rest, sleep or hide whenever they want. A hideaway can be something as simple as a cardboard box, a covered cat bed or any place where they can enjoy being on their own. 

8. Consider adopting another cat

Unlike other animals, most cats will enjoy the peace and quiet of being by themselves. But it’s also true that they are also happy to have company that they like and tolerate. If you work long hours and have enough space, consider bringing a new feline to your home so that they can keep each other company. A disclaimer: as solitary creatures, this won’t suit all cats, of course, and it may take some adaptation. Be sure to do your research, assess your kitty’s personality and work with your local shelter to see if a new feline friend could be the answer. 

If you love cats as much as we do and want to keep reading, don’t miss these interesting and fun guides we’ve put together to help you understand your resident feline better: 

• Your common cat questions answered
• Cat anxiety: causes, symptoms, and solutions
• Why cats do cats knead?
• How long can you leave a cat alone?

Please let us know if you try out any of these tactics, or maybe you have another way of making your cat happy? Share them with us over on our Community Forum, tag us in your photos using #TrustedTales or send us a story at stories@trustedhousesitters.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Have a canine companion in your household? Why not read our top 5 ways to make your dog happy too.