Cats don’t need a lot to be happy — adequate food, a clean litter box, treats, cat toys, a cat tree or tower, attention…maybe a catio, another cat tree, more treats….
Okay, we cats do need a little more to be happy than most people realize! What we need is really pretty simple, but it also doesn’t take a lot to make us unhappy. And a cat that’s unhappy is stressed, less healthy, and may behave in ways that make their humans unhappy too.
Once you realize some of the things that make your cat unhappy, they become obvious. And fortunately, the solutions aren’t difficult. They usually just require more mindfulness from you humans.
So let’s look into what could be causing your cat’s unhappiness.
Forcing Affection on Them
Yes, I know — we kitties are so adorable you can’t help picking us up, burying us in bear hugs, kissing us and smothering us in your affection. I’ll be honest, even the most friendly affectionate cat can find it annoying when you force your love on them.
The solution to this is super simple: stop doing it! I know, it’s hard. It’s almost like breaking an addiction. But if you stop forcing yourself on your cat, something amazing happens: they may start soliciting attention from you!
Cats need to feel in control of their wellbeing to be happy. And when you let them express themselves without pushing your own agenda on them, they will be more confident, happier, and will willingly spend more time with you.
A Chaotic Living Space
Are you disorganized? Is your cat’s breakfast or dinnertime different every day? Do you have papers piled up on shelves or tables where they usually like to relax? Do you play with them one day, then forget to pull out their favorite wand toy for two weeks? No wonder your cat is unhappy!
All cats love routine. And we hate unpredictability. We prefer having meals at a set time, and regular playtimes when we can expect them. And yes, we don’t really understand what clutter is. But when human stuff is in our way or placed where it could fall on us or otherwise be unsafe, it makes us unhappy.
The answer of course is to set up routines and schedules for activities involving your cat. For some of you (like my human), this may be difficult. She’s one of those chaotic, creative types. But if that’s the way your brain works too, maybe just make those things involving your cat the one area where you keep order and routine. That way, it gives you the space to go easy on yourself in other areas.
Dirty, Inconvenient Litter Boxes
When a cat avoids their litter box and your vet has given them a clean bill of health, it’s time to assess the location and cleanliness of the place where they relieve themselves.
Few things can make a cat more unhappy than a dirty litter box that’s hard to get to. Hey, it would make you unhappy too! Don’t you hate needing to use a public restroom, then having to walk half a mile to get there only to find it’s filthy and disgusting? Don’t do that to your cat.
One of the best things you can do for your cat is to really pay attention to their litter box preferences. That includes the box itself, the type of litter, and its location. Things like location may be harder for some than for others, but the more of an effort you can put into finding a good compromise, the happier your cat will be.
And please, clean the waste daily (more than once, if necessary), change out the litter, and rinse out the box at regular intervals. Maybe make the latter a part of cleaning your bathroom. After all, scrubbing the toilet and cleaning the litter box at the same time makes sense, doesn’t it?
Loud Noises and/or Strong Scents
Cats have sensitive ears and noses, so sudden loud noises and strong, unnatural smells will make them unhappy and stressed.
The more you can create a peaceful living space for your cat, the more content they will be. If you are living with people who make a lot of noise, or in an area that’s very noisy, figure out a small space that will give your cat peace and quiet. Somewhere as far away from the noise as possible, and that will muffle sounds.
Strong scents can disturb cats too. If you use air fresheners, perfume, or other scented items in your house, pay attention to your cat’s reaction, especially when these are freshly sprayed or applied. I’m just saying, there’s nothing better than a fresh, clean, non-chemical scent! Just natural, without anything added.
And please don’t use scented cat litter. Most of the time, cats dislike them, and they don’t do that much to cover odor. If the smell is bothering you, there are litters that absorb the smell instead of masking it. And if you are prompt about cleaning the litter box, it’ll also help keep down the smell.
These are some very basic things that make cats unhappy. And most of the time, the changes and adjustments aren’t that hard. You can start improving your cat’s happiness quotient and quality of life today.
Do you have any stories about your cat’s reactions to any of the above? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
