8 Key Things You Should Never Do to Your Cat

As paw parents, it’s our jobs to keep our furry friends happy and healthy. But it may not always be obvious when your kitty is stressed or upset. Hence, it’s important to know which things you should never do to your cat. Not sure which harmful practices to avoid? Below, Cat in a Flat dives into eight key things you should NEVER do to cats. 

1. Should I give my cat milk or water?

Should I give my cat milk instead of water? The image of a cat drinking from a bowl of milk is a common one. However, it’s largely a myth that felines—both kittens and adults—need milk to be healthy. Most of our furry friends are lactose intolerant. Which means that instead of a happy, content kitty you may end up with a sick or upset cat! 

Never give Mr Whiskers any sort of milk intended for humans as it will only make them ill. This includes cow as well as other alternates like oat or nut milk. There are milk options specifically made for cats, but you should be careful about giving your feline too much. While it is safe for cats to drink, it’s also very fatty and can cause your furry friend to put on weight. To avoid an overweight cat, you should only give them feline milk as a special treat. And NEVER replace water with milk as it’s not an adequate substitute. The best way to keep your kitty hydrated is by feeding them high quality wet food and providing them with plenty of fresh water sources around the home.

2. Don’t Do: Never treat your cat like a dog

It’s important to remember that cats and dogs are very different types of creatures. While some felines (such as the wonderful Maine Coon) can exhibit ‘doglike’ traits, this doesn’t mean you can treat them the same way you would a pooch. Your tiny house tiger’s behaviour is very different in part because, unlike dogs, cats never became fully domesticated. 

Most kitties could survive without human intervention. It may not look like it, but your fur friend still has many of the instincts of their ancestors. For example, Mr Whiskers probably enjoys play hunting (or even actually hunting wildlife)—which is a trait passed on from their wild cousins! Cats also usually have stronger boundaries than dogs. Hence, you should never force a feline to interact with you, but rather let them approach on their own terms. And while you can teach some cats tricks, they will only perform when it suits them. In a way, you aren’t training Mr Whiskers, Mr Whiskers is training you! 

3. Should I punish my cat? 

Should I punish my cat? Knocking things off tables, scratching the furniture, or waking you up at night—these can all be irritating feline behaviours. However, something you should never do is punish your cat, even when they exhibit bad behaviour. Yelling, clapping, shaking, or hitting your cat will only stress and scare them and make them afraid of you. Even worse, it’s unlikely to cure any bad behaviour and could even make your fur friend aggressive. 

The best approach to unwanted behaviour is to first ignore it, then redirect your fur friend’s attention. For example, if your kitty tends to scratch your sofa, don’t shoo them away. This will only temporarily deter Mr Whiskers! Instead, ignore them and, once your feline is finished, place a scratching post near the spot they like to scratch. Whenever your kitty uses the post instead of your sofa, reward them with a treat to reinforce the positive behaviour! 

4. Don’t Do: Never overwhelm your cat

Stress in cats can cause both emotional and physical issues. It’s very important to do everything you can to help your kitty feel calm and comfortable. Take simple steps to make your home as cat-friendly as possible. If you suspect your kitty is stressed or depressed because they’re lonely, you could consider getting them a friend or hiring a cat sitter to come in during the day to spend time with your feline. 

Of course, sometimes stress is unavoidable, such as when you move home with your cat or introduce a new kitty into the household. However, there are ways to minimise stress in these situations. Just be patient and allow your fur friend to adjust at their own pace. 

5. How clean should you keep your cat’s litter box?

How clean should I keep my cat’s litter box? Litter box hygiene is vital not only for a healthy toilet routine, but to keep your cat stress-free. Never allow your cat’s litter box to go longer than a day without being cleaned. If possible, do aim to clean it twice a day. An untidy litter box can lead to upsets, anxiety or even cystitis. The best way to keep your fur friend happy is with proper toilet tray maintenance! 

Providing a proper litter box (and enough of them) is also a must. You should never expect cats in a multi-cat household to share a single litter box. Do make sure that you have one litter box per cat, plus one extra (for example, if you have three cats you should have four litter trays). And make sure your kitty’s toilets are the right size and type for them to use comfortably!  

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6. Don’t Do: Never leave your cat alone for too long

While felines do have the reputation of being aloof and standoffish, it’s never a good idea to leave Mr Whiskers alone for long periods of time. Not only does your fur friend miss you when you’re not around, but leaving your kitty to fend for themselves—even if it’s just a few days—can be stressful and upsetting for them too.

Even shy cats can get anxious or lonely when on their own for too long. And boarding your kitty in the unfamiliar environment of a cattery can exacerbate these feelings. Hence, it’s always a better idea to hire a trustworthy cat sitter to provide at-home care. This way your furry friend can stay in a familiar environment while you’re away! If you have a particularly social cat breed (such as a Devon Rex or Maine Coon) and work outside the home, your feline might benefit from daily visits from a sitter too. 

7. Is declawing a cat bad?

Is declawing a cat bad? You should never declaw a feline unless it’s absolutely necessary. If, for example, a feline is suffering from a tumour or a severely injured paw, declawing may be medically needed. Otherwise, it’s not necessary for our furry friends. Look at it this way: declawing is the amputation of each toe at the first joint. The human equivalent would be cutting off the tip of every finger at the first knuckle—an incredibly painful and traumatic experience! 

Declawing can also lead to long-term issues such as infections, joint pain, and serious developmental and psychological issues. Your fur friend might become more aggressive due to no longer having claws. So, never permanently remove your cat’s claws, but do make sure to maintain them. This means frequently trimming your cat’s claws in a safe and comfortable setting. 

8. Don’t Do: Why you should never dress up your cat

For most felines, wearing anything—including clothes or accessories—can be a stressful and uncomfortable experience. Cats are incredibly agile and athletic animals, so they don’t like having their movements restricted. Furthermore, dressing up your kitty can make it harder for them to regulate their body temperature. Wearing clothing may cause Mr Whiskers to overheat. 

While it’s never a good idea to dress up your cat, there are other things you can do to add a little extra pizzazz to Mr Whiskers’ life! Instead of an outfit, buy your furry friend a new collar, bed, toy, or blanket. 

Want to learn more about providing the best care for your kitty? Read up on whether or not you should neuter your cat and find out great tips on how to be a more sustainable paw parent!