What do cats love? Since cats are intelligent and sensitive creatures, they can have a long list of preferences. In most cases, the things your cat loves are the same things you love: fresh and tasty food, long naps in comfortable places, and lots of fun activities.
As is the case with us, the things that attract cats’ attention and bring them joy or excitement can change as they age. Your cat may love her toy one day but find it boring the next day.
As a cat parent, it is your responsibility to notice when your cat’s interests change so you can keep her happy, healthy, and engaged.
Cats love sleep
It’s no secret that cats love to sleep. In fact, an average cat sleeps between 12 and 16 hours a day! Since cats are nocturnal creatures, they spend most of the day sleeping. Everyone loves a nice, long nap in a cozy and pleasant spot.
Keep in mind that kittens and senior cats will spend more time sleeping than, say, a teenage cat. But if you’re concerned that your cat is sleeping too much or too little, talk to your veterinarian about what is considered normal for her breed, age, activity level, and size.
Cats love grooming and being groomed
Adult cats spend about half of their awake time grooming and cleaning themselves. It’s clear that grooming is an important part of a cat’s life.
There are several reasons why cats devote so much time to grooming:
They stay clean and become “undetectable”
Grooming not only helps cats remove dirt from their fur, but it also prevents predators and prey from detecting them. How? Licking their fur removes any absorbed scents.
They maintain the health of their skin and fur
Regular grooming disperses the oils naturally produced by a cat’s skin and fur, keeping their coat healthy, shiny, and hydrated.
It gives them a sense of relaxation
There’s nothing more relaxing than a massage, right? Well, cats feel the same way! Instead of going to a masseur, they lick and groom themselves to reduce stress and calm down.
It helps them socialize with other cats
Cats groom each other and even their owners. This interaction helps them develop and strengthen bonds, whether with humans or other cats.
It cools them down
Humans sweat, dogs pant, and cats lick themselves. When it’s very hot, cats wet their fur with saliva to cool down.
Not all cats love to be groomed by their owners, but if yours is receptive, try brushing her fur with a natural bristle or rubber brush. It will remove any residue from her fur and be very relaxing.
Cats love fresh food
It is unlikely that you would want to eat a plate of expired food. The same goes for your cat. Old and expired food not only tastes unpleasant but can also develop mold or harbor various types of bacteria, such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus.
Whenever you serve your cat’s food, make sure to check the expiration dates on both wet and dry food. This will ensure that you are feeding her only fresh, nutritious, and safe food.
Cats love fresh water
If you have a cat, you know they will try to drink water straight from the faucet whenever they get the chance. Fortunately, there are many drinking fountains specifically designed for cats, so they always have access to cold, fresh, and moving water. If you don’t have a fountain, make sure to change the water daily.
Some cat breeds even like to play with water. If your cat loves splashing around, try filling the bathtub or a kiddie pool with a few inches of water during her playtime. This activity will help her get some exercise and cool down on extremely hot days.
Cats love to sharpen their claws and scratch
One of the basic instincts of cats is to sharpen their claws by scratching and pinching various surfaces. They seem to enjoy this very much.
In addition to sharpening their claws, scratching can help cats relax and rejuvenate. You can see it as the human equivalent of a nice, long stretch when your muscles are tired. A short scratching session on a cat tree or a scratching post can immediately invigorate a cat.
Cats love to play
Playing is serious business for cats, from kittenhood to old age. It doesn’t take much to entertain a cat. She will play with almost anything. This aspect is essential for their health and development.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of cat toys on the market, but your cat might enjoy playing games like hide and seek. Regardless of your cat’s play preference, it’s important to dedicate a few minutes each day to her.
Cats love to watch and chase birds
It’s not unusual to see cats stretched out on window sills. Why? It’s an ideal spot for bird watching! Whether cats love to watch birds because they’re prey or simply because the movement catches their attention, some cats can spend hours observing birds.
Try to limit their time by the window when the sun is at its strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and discuss approved sunscreen options for cats with your vet.
Cats love high places for observing and hiding
Today’s domestic cats share a common ancestor – the African wildcat. This small wild feline still exists today and, like our domestic cats, is both a predator and prey in its natural environment. As a predator, the African wildcat has evolved to hide in high places, such as trees or hills, to observe prey, and as prey, it retreats to high places where large predators cannot follow.
Cats love a clean and private litter space
Just like us, our cats want a private, quiet, and clean place to do their business. The general rule is to have one litter box for each cat in the house, plus an extra one. They should be placed in different locations, avoiding the busy areas of your home.
Cats love their people
Of course, although cats are often described as solitary animals, they need love, attention, and companionship and love to receive these from their owners. The ways in which cats show “I love you” are a little different from humans.
Some signs that your cat loves you include purring, rubbing its head against you, sleeping on or near you, rubbing its body against you, meowing, licking, and even turning its rear end towards you. Yes, really!
