It’s Happy Cat Month! Fortunately for us, it isn’t hard to please our feline overlords. In addition to her basic needs—food, shelter, clean litter, and proper veterinary care—Fluffy really only requires toys, comfy beds, lap space, window seats, catnip, and, of course, boxes. But how do you tell if your furball is truly content? A Champaign, IL vet lists some signs of kitty happiness below.
Purrs
At the top of the list, we have Fluffy’s signature move: the purr. Although kitties don’t only purr when they’re happy, most furballs do turn their engines on when they’re feeling comfy and content. Cat purrs can also make us happy, by calming us, soothing us, and sometimes just charming us.
Affection
Fluffy can be complicated, but she’s usually pretty clear when she is feeling cuddly. If your feline buddy wants to show her love, she may curl up on your lap, follow you around, rub against your legs, cuddle with you, nap on you, meow at you, or run to greet you with her tail held up. (Then again, she may occasionally bite you, scratch you, or just ignore you. With cats, you just never know.)
Flopping
Cats are both predators and prey by nature. This makes for an interesting mix of boldness and timidity. If Fluffy is feeling anxious or uneasy, she may withdraw to her favorite hiding spot. A kitty that sprawls out in the middle of the floor is likely in good spirits. Your pet may even flop over onto her back. (Note: this can be a trick. Proceed with caution if you want to rub that furry belly!)
Play
Our feline pals are very playful, which is one reason they’re such fun to have around. Just like people, kitties don’t usually feel too frisky when they are ill. If your feisty furball is happily batting catnip mice around and/or smacking things off your table, she’s likely in good spirits.
Health Condition
Fluffy’s health and well-being also play important roles in her overall happiness. After all, it’s hard to feel content if you’re sick or sore! Proper veterinary care can go a long way towards keeping your kitty in tip-top shape … even if she isn’t exactly happy about leaving her domain to come to the clinic. Ask your vet to recommend an appointment schedule.
Please contact us with questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care. As your Champaign, IL animal clinic, we’re here to help.
