Pets are like family members, and we invariably want the very best for these beloved companions. And cats, it seems, already live a rather opulent lifestyle, spending the majority of their days sleeping, eating and playing, whilst we, their owners, wait on them hand and foot.
From optimal nutrition to cosy sleeping quarters, cats don’t require much to be content – and a warm lap and endless strokes will go a long way towards ensuring they feel loved. But there is always room for improvement, and there are some simple ways you can up-level their lifestyle to lofty new heights, ensuring that they really do live in the lap of luxury. These simple tweaks will ensure that all of their basic needs are both met and exceeded, allowing them to enjoy an opulent lifestyle, just like you.
Nutrition
Feeding your cat the standard wet and dry foods available at your local pet shop might seem fine, but would you want to eat from the nearest fast food restaurant? Probably not. So, ensure that your pampered pet gets to enjoy Michelin-starred style dining all the way by feeding them real meat and fish – both cooked and raw – to ensure they are optimally nourished and to keep their coat shiny and healthy-looking, too.
Cats are carnivores, and require a high-quality diet to maintain a strong heart, good vision and a healthy reproductive system, so be sure to head to your local butcher at least once a week to treat them to the very best cuts money can buy. Be sure to have all bones removed, as these can prove hazardous to cats – particularly the small bones found in chicken, which can splinter easily.
To ensure your cat is always optimally hydrated, install a water fountain at home so that they can access clean, fresh water whenever they are thirsty.
Sleeping
The average cat sleeps for between 12 and 16 hours a day, which is a lot of shut-eye. And, with so much time spent snoozing, it’s important to make sure they have a comfortable place in which to do it.
Generally speaking, cats favour places that are warm, safe and at the right temperature. When the weather is warm, they’ll seek high, shaded sleeping spots, while during the colder winter months, they like to be near heat sources and will curl up with their faces between their paws to reduce body heat loss.
You may have noticed that one of your cat’s favourite places to sleep is your bed, which is about as luxurious as it gets – but if you can’t stand constantly having to lint-roller and wash your bedding, then getting them a bed of their very own is the next best thing.
Cat beds vary in design and price, and each cat’s taste is individual – so you might find that you have to try a few different options out before you find one they’ll love. The circular design of a cup-bed is often popular amongst pampered pets, following the natural contour of the curled up cat and providing a supportive sleep space – look for one with a detachable, washable fleece lining for added cosiness. A blanket-lined wicker basket or an opulent cat chaise-lounge might also do the trick – your cat will soon let you know what kind of sleeping arrangement they like best.
Play
Whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor pet, ensuring that they are suitably occupied and have plenty of things to play with is essential for their enrichment, and particularly in the development of kittens and younger cats.
Ensuring they also have a safe space they can wander in will also improve their wellbeing – if you’re reluctant to let them roam completely free but want them to be able to access some fresh air and sunshine, then consider a catio – or let them out in the garden when you are present and invest in a cat proof fence.
Indoors, a cat tree is a great option for keeping them entertained, and will also help to prevent them from clawing the carpet. Choose one with platforms on multiple levels, so they can climb, play and snooze on it.
