Steps to a Happy Cat
Most animals are happier if they have a set routine and know what to expect.
Exercise is a great stress reliever and should be encouraged. Indoor cats will also need a workout and this can usually be accomplished by using certain mobile toys.
Food should be healthful and supplied on a regular basis at mealtimes. It is probably a good idea to change flavors from time to time to prevent boredom of a certain type of food from setting in.
Medical matters that are bothering the cat should be addressed. Parasites should be controlled, endocrine disturbances should be addressed, pain should be alleviated, and allergies should be attended to. You can't be happy as a cat when you're in pain, itching all the time or in discomfort.
For cats that are withdrawn, they should be coaxed out of themselves and encouraged to join in and be more social. Their involvement should be rewarded in no uncertain terms. You can do this by encouraging play with a feathery flyer (wand with feathers on bird that mimics the motion of a bird) or with a laser pointer moving the light around.
Summary
The happy cat that arises as a result of the aforementioned adjustments will sleep well at night and look forward to and enjoy each day and the entertainment that it brings. Aggressive behavior should melt away, fears will be quelled, and annoying habits will be replaced by constructive alternatives. Once this happy Utopian state has been achieved, an owner will enjoy his or her cat or cats even more and, perhaps more importantly, the cat will look up to its owner as it positively radiates appreciation and, what else, happiness.
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