Your Cat’s 8 Favorite Things

Cats can have a vast list of likes (and, possibly, an equally long list of dislikes!) since they are intelligent, sentient beings. Most of the time, your cat enjoys the same things you do, such as fresh, tasty food, lengthy sleep in cozy areas, and a variety of enjoyable pastimes, to name a few.

Cats, like humans, change their minds about what they find intriguing, entertaining, or thrilling as they get older—your cat may love her feathered toy one day and find it dull the next. It’s your job as a kitty parent to notice when your cat’s interests shift so you can keep her happy, healthy, and interested. Although cat preferences vary, these eight “kitten likes” are a good place to start.

1. A good nap.

Cats are known for their fondness of sleeping. In fact, the normal kitty sleeps for 12 to 16 hours every day on average! Cats are nocturnal creatures, so they sleep for the majority of the day—and who can blame them? Everyone enjoys a lengthy, relaxing slumber in a warm, inviting environment.

Keep in mind that kittens and senior cats will sleep more than an adolescent cat, for example. However, if you’re concerned that your cat is sleeping too much—or too little—consult your veterinarian about what’s normal for his breed, age, activity level, and size.

2. Grooming and being groomed are two things that cats adore.

Did you know that adult cats groom themselves for about half of their waking hours? Grooming is clearly a crucial component of a cat’s existence!

There are several reasons why cats spend so much time grooming:

• It helps to keep them clean. Grooming not only removes filth and grime from cats’ coats, but it also helps predators and prey avoid detecting them. How? Any odors that have been absorbed by their coats are removed by licking them.
• It keeps their skin and coat in good condition. Grooming distributes the oils produced naturally by a cat’s skin and fur, keeping her coat healthy, lustrous, and hydrated.
• It has a calming effect on them. Isn’t there anything more relaxing than a massage? Cats, on the other hand, are in the same boat! Instead of going to a masseuse, they groom themselves to relieve stress and relax.
• It aids their socialization with other cats. To create and strengthen their friendship, cats groom one other—and their humans! Cats grooming each other in hard-to-reach places are common.
• It relaxes them. Humans sweat a lot. Dogs have a tendency to pant. Cats lick their own fur. When it’s extremely hot outside, cats wet their fur with saliva to keep it cool.

If your cat enjoys being groomed by his humans, try brushing his coat with a natural bristle or rubber brush. It’ll get rid of any residue from his fur while also being extremely calming.

3. Fresh, nutritious food.

At dinnertime, it’s unlikely that you’d want to dig into a large platter of rotten food. Your cat is in the same boat. Stale and ruined food isn’t just unpleasant to eat; it can also harbor pathogens such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus.

Check the expiration dates on both wet and dry food whenever you serve your kitty’s meals. You’ll be able to serve her only fresh, nutritious, and safe foods this way.

4. Running water.

If you own a cat, you’re well aware that they will try to drink water from running faucets whenever the opportunity arises. Fortunately, there are numerous drinking fountains created just for cats, ensuring that they always have access to cool, fresh, running water.

Some cat breeds, believe it or not, enjoy playing in the water. Fill the bathtub or a kiddie pool with a few inches of water during your cat’s playtime if she enjoys splashing around. On very hot days, this activity will allow her to get some exercise and cool off.

5. Clawing and Scratching.

Cats have a natural instinct to sharpen their claws by scratching and clawing a variety of surfaces. They, too, get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Scratching can help cats relax and revitalize in addition to honing their claws. When your muscles are fatigued or achy, think of it as the human version of a nice, long stretch. A short scratch on a cat tree or scratching post will instantly wake up a weary kitten.

6. Playing and fun time.

From kittenhood to the golden years, cats take their playtime very seriously. It doesn’t take much to keep a cat occupied—she’ll play with anything from lint and string to high-tech cat toys—but it’s an important element of their health and growth. Playtime not only takes them back to their wild days when they had to pursue, hunt, and capture their prey, but it also keeps them active, engaged, and happy.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of cat toys available, but your cat may also enjoy activities like hide and seek. It’s crucial to sneak in a few minutes of playtime every day, no matter what your cat prefers to do.

7. Watching birds.

Cats curled up on windowsills are not unusual. Why? It’s an excellent spot for bird watching! Some cats can spend hours every day watching birds, whether it’s because they’re prey or simply because the movement catches their attention.

Protect your cat’s skin from the sun’s harsh rays if she likes to curl up in windows, especially if she has light-colored fur. Try to keep her away from the window during the hottest part of the day—between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.—and ask your vet about kitty-approved sunscreens.

8. And finally, cats love their humans.

Although cats are frequently stereotyped as solitary creatures, they require affection, care, and connection from their people. The way cats express “I love you” differs slightly from how we humans do.

Purring, bunting (or placing her head on you), sleeping on or near you, meowing, licking, and even poking her butt in your face are all signals that your cat loves you. Yes, it’s true.