21 Ways You Are Hurting Your Cat Without Realizing

Feeding your cat the same food
If you feed your cat one particular type of food for their entire life, they can develop a very strong food preference for that single brand and flavor.
Brand preference is no big deal until you need to change your cat’s food. Even if you think that you won’t change your pet’s diet, you can’t predict when a medical diagnosis might require dietary changes. For example, many cats face kidney problems as they age which require a change of diet.
If you give them the same food all their life, it can be very difficult for them to accept a new food.
Using physical punishment
Although there may be situations that make you lose your patience, it is important to remember that punishment should never be the way to discipline a cat. It doesn’t work. It actually does the opposite of what you want. It causes them stress and they will only become afraid of you.
Cats do not understand the reason for your anger. When you punish them, they have no idea what they have done wrong. And because cats don’t understand that certain behaviors are undesirable, punishment may feel random and inconsistent to them, which can cause them stress, anxiety and fear. It also brings distrust of humans. They can begin to show rejection or even aggression toward you.
One of the best ways to discipline a cat is to reward them when they do something right. The reasoning behind this is that the cat will associate the good behavior with getting a treat.
Lack of hygiene
Cats are very clean animals and they spend a lot of time grooming themselves. A dirty environment makes them stressed and even irritates them, especially if it is concentrated in places where they often hang out, like their litter box, their bed, and their food and water bowls.
A food bowl with leftovers that has a bad smell, a litter box that has not been cleaned, or a dirty bed, will provoke cat-like anger and unwanted behaviors, such as insistent meows, hisses, and depositions in unsuitable places.
Yelling when your cat misbehaves
Yelling is another thing you should never do when disciplining your cat. IYou’re just freaking out your pet. Especially when you are upset about something that has happened a while ago. Cats live in the moment and are incapable of associating any punishment with an action that occurred in the past.
You assume that your cat is happy to sleep all day.
Cats are born to kill and hunt prey. We are bringing these natural hunters indoors into our small homes expecting them to live happily without exercising their instincts.
If you don’t provide them any constructive way to exercise, engage their hunting instincts, or mentally stimulate them, your cat will develop behavioral problems. They will get bored, accumulate a lot of energy, making them stressed and anxious.
Letting your cat eat everything
Most people give their cats human food, thinking they are being caring. But, giving cats human food isn’t good for them. Your cat’s digestive system is very different from yours just as their nutritional requirements are different. Make sure to avoid feeding them human food.
Sticking with dry food
Many cats don’t like water so they don’t drink enough of it. Because of this, they are more prone to developing urinary crystals and even kidney problems. More often than not, this can be prevented simply by adding wet food to your cat’s diet.
Thinking That Cats Always Land on Their Feet
This is a common misconception that often leads to injured cats because many cat owners take it literally.
Never ever hold a cat upside down and then drop them to see if they manage to flip over. And make sure your cat doesn’t have access to open windows, and that they can’t fall from your balcony.
Every year, animal hospitals treat cats who have fallen from great heights, often out of windows of multi-story buildings.
Assuming that cats are low-maintenance
As with any other pet in your house, cats need particular care with their vaccinations, deworming treatments, suitable hygiene, mental stimulation, socialization and physical activity. Neglecting any of their needs can lead to health problems.
Assuming indoor cats can’t get fleas or other parasites
Fleas and ticks can cause skin irritation, severe allergic reactions and even carry diseases and lead to serious health problems in your pets. And you can’t assume your indoor cat is safe from pests. Doors open and window screens aren’t foolproof. If you bring in ticks or even mosquitoes, your pet could be exposed to heartworms, Lyme disease, or even the plague.
Common signs that a cat might be suffering from a flea infestation are intense and frantic scratching or biting, patchy hair loss, or lethargy.
Simple monthly preventive medications and anti-flea treatments will kill any fleas that may have found their way onto your cat.