5 Things You Should Never Do to Your Cat

Cats and dogs are so different in their behaviors, it's true. But these few common behaviors could create distance between you and your own feline

Cats chose to be with humans centuries ago. However, despite the time that has passed, some people don’t understand these wonderful creatures. That’s why today we are going to expand on the things that you never have to do to your cat. 

Attention: you should never, ever do these things to your cat

Without a doubt, the world has changed at a dramatic pace in recent years. In the case of cats, the idea that they are totally independent beings that need to be left alone to wander through roofs and gardens is no longer true.

And the idea that you don’t need to worry too much about their food because, since they are good hunters, they know how to get it without any major inconvenience is also outdated.

The truth is that if you choose a cat as a pet, you should be as responsible as you would be with any other companion animal. And that means that you have to take responsibility of his well-being from different aspects.

So, keep in mind the things that you never have to do to your cat.

1. Remove his nails

There is no rose without a thorn, the saying goes. And it should be added that there is no cat without nails, either. Therefore, despite the fact that the practice of extracting the claws from cats was popular- and is still somewhat popular in certain places- do not even think about subjecting the animal to this torture.

Without a doubt, declawing is a form of abuse. Besides the physical pain that it causes, you are taking away the cat’s essence if you remove his nails. They are natural-born hunters and they enjoy climbing different places. Without his claws, these and other activities are practically impossible to do.

Most likely, the animal will develop behavior problems. You can, however, cut their nails a little bit to suffer from less scratches and protect your furniture from damage.

2. Dress him up

The tendency to humanize pets is on the rise, and the market caters to it. For example, clothing and accessory offers are endless. However, if you insist on dressing your cat, not only will he feel uncomfortable and start to behave in ways that indicate that something is not quite right, he could also:

• Develop skin problems
• Lose mobility
• Get stuck somewhere and hurt himself
• Not be able to clean himself properly

The famous cat bell is also a part of this listing. Avoid it. The sound that it makes greatly bothers cats. With time, they even run the risk of hearing loss.

3. Smoking in front of him and inside the house

If you are one of those people that don’t want or can’t quit smoking in spite of medical warnings, keep in mind the fact that smoking in your home is absolutely harmful for pets. 

So if you don’t do it for you, do it for your furry friend and set this addiction aside. If you smoke, you won’t only affect your pet’s lungs with the smoke. Since they are animals that lick themselves frequently to clean themselves, if they live with a smoker, they will brush their tongue all over the toxic particles that the cigarette gives off.

4. Scare him

There are people that think it’s fun to scare their cat to see their reactions. Many people even film them and post the videos online. But you should know that this item should be on the top of the list of things that you never have to do to your cat.

These animals are very sensitive. If you insist on this practice, you will only get a terrified and distrusting pet that spends his days curled up in a corner.

5. Let him wander without control

Although we know very well that cats are animals that love to explore their environment, there are thousands of dangers in this big and marvelous world. Among them:

• People that abuse animals or poison food
• Cars that go at full speed
• Cats or dogs that want to fight
• Risk of contracting different types of diseases

And there is always the possibility that the animal gets lost and can’t get back home.

Therefore, the best thing that you can do is provide a protected space for your feline friend that he can explore himself. If you have a yard, balcony, or terrace, you should set it up with some sort of wire fence so that the cat doesn’t escape. If you don’t have these amenities, a window is always fine. You should also buy or make a variety of toys. Or build him a tree. It will delight your pet.