Almost a third of Australian households live with at least one cat, but surveys tell us the need for cats is unmet. Cats may rule the Internet, but people often misinterpret cat behavior. Earlier this year, the Washington Post boldly declared that cats are bad at jerking off—they’re just misunderstood. This research showed that, contrary to helpless stereotypes, cats are not antisocial. They can and do form close bonds with people.
The more we learn about cats, the more we realize that they are capable of learning, with complex personalities and preferences. From understanding your cat’s language to keeping them safe and healthy – here are science-backed tips to improve the lives of your feline flatmates.
1. Pay attention to body language
Cats communicate with humans using body language and vocalizations. However, cats meow when directed at humans, and while meows are context dependent, humans aren’t great at decoding them. But we can read a cat’s body language. For example, slow blinking indicates a positive emotional state. Cats who are not happy (for example, don’t want to be touched) will freeze, walk away, flatten their ears, hiss, or – if they feel they have no other choice – scratch or bite.
It’s best to allow cats to approach you on their terms rather than pushing them for social interaction. A cat approaching you with its tail up is giving a friendly signal, while a tail wagging from side to side signals annoyance.
Cats should always have the option to opt out of any interaction, such as being touched. If you’re not sure, just “ask”: stop tapping them. If they go away, they are not keen. If they rub their head against yours, they want to continue the interaction.
2. Provide a healthy environment
The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine agree on five pillars of a healthy feline environment: A safe place so cats can retreat if they are frightened. Multiple, separated key resources (food, water, toilet areas, scratching areas, play areas and resting or sleeping areas) so cats can carry out their daily activities comfortably.
Opportunities for play and hunting behavior, such as games with stick toys that simulate hunting.
Positive, consistent and predictable human-cat interactions, respecting the cat’s choices about how and when they interact. Respecting the importance of the cat’s senses by avoiding undesirable stimuli (strong smells and loud noises), and providing desirable sensory stimuli (for example, using canip or silver vine).
These columns provide a useful checklist. If you read this and realize that your cat’s food and water are next to the litter tray, you can improve your cat’s environment (and their eating and toileting experience) by separating these sources now.
3. Clean out the litter tray!
A litter tray may represent an unpleasant chore to you, but the importance of a spacious litter tray for your cat cannot be overstated. Cats prefer to use a clean litter tray even if they are the only cat in the house. Cats love to spend time in the tray before, during and after toileting, and they generally prefer a large tray. Poor waste hygiene is associated with the risk of urinary problems, which can be life-threatening.
A survey of more than 12,000 Australian cat owners found that urinary problems were more common in homes with fewer litter trays per cat, less frequent removal of feces from trays, and use of crystal-type cat litter. If you switch the type of litter you provide, a slow transition is recommended to allow cats to adjust to the change.
Here’s how you can take care of your cat. (Source: Freepik)
4. Read the room
Do you have more than one cat? The tension between Domestic cats Common but often overlooked, as it is not always a physical fight. Signs of inter-cat stress may also include staring for long periods of time, or stopping the use of resources such as litter trays or cat doors to prevent other cats from using them. In their 2024 Intercat-Tension Guidelines, the American Association of Feline Practitioners notes that this can lead to chronic fear, anxiety and stress-related illnesses in cats.
Learning to recognize and manage stress among household cats can improve the well-being of all parties.
When you love your cat, it’s tempting to seek to increase the happiness by adopting another. But many cats prefer to be the only cat in the house, and don’t cope well with a feline flatmate. If they have positive interactions with familiar, trusted people, they are less likely to be lonely.
5. Keep cats and other animals safe
Historically, domestic cats protected grain stores from rodents. But what constitutes responsible cat ownership has changed. About 65% of Australian cat owners keep their cats indoors all the time, while 24% keep their cats indoors at night. A major driver for cats’ indoor-only habitat is wildlife predation. Another is concern about roaming-related risks to cats, including cat fights, infectious diseases (such as feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV), accidents and motor vehicle trauma. But owners of cats that were kept entirely indoors were more likely to report “problem” behavior.
Ideally, cats should not be allowed to roam free unsupervised where they could harm wildlife, even within the boundaries of the property where you live. More than a third of local councils in Australia now have to keep cats overnight or 24 hours a day.
Outdoor access provides sensory stimulation, including a variety of sights, sounds, and smells. Free roaming options include providing access to a well-designed cat run, training your cat, or Observing your cat. Cats that don’t leave the house until they’re moved house or taken to the vet, quickly learn to associate the cat carrier with a trip to an unfamiliar environment. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a visit to the vet is imminent when the carrier comes out.
But that negative relationship can be changed. Cats approached, petted or rested in a carrier during a veterinary visit were rewarded with a treat. Cats are intelligent, and contrary to popular opinion, can be trained. The process can be enriching for cats and people alike. With patience and commitment, you can train your cat – from a simple “sit” to willingly stepping into the cat carrier.
In short, give cats a choice, respect their “cat-ness”, pay attention to their needs and try to see our world from their point of view. Your cat will be happy for it.
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