8 Things Your Cat Enjoys

Cats can have a large list of preferences (and, possibly, an equally long list of dislikes), as they are intelligent, sensitive animals. Most of the time, your cat enjoys the same things that you do, such as delicious food, lengthy sleeps in comfy places, and a variety of entertaining pastimes, to name a few.

Cats’ interests, enjoyment, and excitement can change as they get older, much like our own. Your cat may love her feathered toy one day but find it dull the next. It’s your responsibility as a kitty parent to notice when your cat’s interests shift so you can keep her content, healthy, and active. These eight feline “likes” are a nice list, even though preferences differ from cat to cat.

1. Cats Love Taking Naps

Cats love to sleep, that much is obvious. In actuality, cats sleep for an astounding 12 to 16 hours a day! Cats are nocturnal animals, so it’s understandable that they spend the most of the day sleeping. Everyone enjoys taking a lengthy, peaceful snooze in a comfortable setting.

Remember that cats in their later years and kittens tend to sleep more than cats who are younger, like adolescents. Talk to your vet about what’s typical for your cat’s breed, age, activity level, and size if you’re concerned that he or she is sleeping too much—or too little.

2. Cats Love Grooming and Being Groomed

Did you know adult cats spend approximately half of their waking hours grooming? Clearly, grooming is an important part of a kitty’s life!

There are a few reasons cats dedicate so much time to grooming:

1. It keeps them clean. Not only does grooming help cats remove dirt and grime from their coats, but it prevents predators and prey from detecting them. How? Licking their coats removes any smells it has absorbed.
2. It keeps their skin and coat healthy. Regular grooming disperses the oils naturally produced by a cat’s skin and fur, keeping her coat healthy, shiny, and hydrated.
3. It makes them feel relaxed. There’s nothing more relaxing than a massage, right? Well, cats feel the same way! Rather than visiting a masseuse, they simply groom themselves to reduce stress and calm down.
4. It helps them bond with other kitties. Cats groom each other—and their humans!—to develop and strengthen their bond. You’ll often see cats grooming each other in hard-to-reach places.
5. It cools them off. Humans sweat. Dogs pant. Cats lick themselves. When it’s super hot out, cats dampen their fur with saliva to cool off.

Not every cat loves to be groomed by his humans, but if yours does, try brushing his fur with a natural bristle or rubber brush. It’ll remove any residue from his fur and feel super relaxing, too.

3. Cats Enjoy Fresh, Healthy Food

You probably wouldn’t want to eat a sizable platter of ruined food for supper. Your cat is in the same boat. Food that is old or ruined not only tastes unpleasant, but it can also support the growth of mold or a variety of germs, including Salmonella and Staphylococcus.

Always check the expiration dates on both wet and dry food before giving your cat a meal. This will guarantee that you only give her healthy, freshly prepared food.

4. Cats adore flowing water.

If you own a cat, you are aware that anytime the opportunity arises, cats will attempt to drink water from running faucets. Because there are so many drinking fountains made specifically for cats, they always have access to cool, clean, flowing water.

Unbelievably, certain cat breeds enjoy playing in the water. If your cat enjoys making splashes, try adding a few inches of water to the bathtub or a kiddie pool before she plays. She can get a little exercise and cool off with this activity on extremely hot days.

5. Cats Enjoy Clawing and Scratching

Cats’ natural instinct is to scratch and claw various surfaces in order to keep their claws sharp. They also happen to find great joy in it.

Cats may unwind and revitalize themselves by scratching in addition to honing their claws. When your muscles are tired or aching, think of it as the human equivalent of a nice, long stretch. A quick session of scratching on a cat tree or scratching post will instantly revive a sleepy cat.

6. Cats Love Daily Playtime

From their infancy to their senior years, cats take playtime very seriously. Even though it doesn’t take much to keep a cat occupied—she will play with anything from lint to elaborate cat toys—it is essential to their health and growth. Playtime not only reminds them of their time spent stalking, hunting, and capturing prey in the wild, but it also keeps them active, interested, and content.

Although there are literally millions of cat toys available, your cat might also enjoy games like hide and seek. Whatever type of play your cat prefers, it’s crucial to sneak in a few minutes every day.

7. Cats Love Watching Birds

Cats curled up on windowsills are a typical sight. Why? It’s a great place to go bird viewing! Some cats can spend hours each day watching birds, whether they do so because they are their prey or just because the movement catches their attention.

Especially if your cat has light-colored fur, if your cat like curling up in windows, be careful to shield her skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its utmost intensity, try to restrict her time spent by the window. Also, ask your vet about sunscreens that are safe for cats.

8. Cats Love Their Humans