1. Let your cat graze

Plant catnip for your cat to nibble on indoors. Catnip is not only a digestive aid, it’s also a treat – most cats simply love the taste. For the uninitiated, it’s a high-fiber cereal grass, usually barley, oats, wheat, or a combination of these, that can be easily grown indoors in pots. You can often find catnip or catnip seeds at pet stores or botanical centers.

2. Get the right number of litter boxes – one per cat

Cats greatly prefer not to share their litter box. Providing a separate litter box for each cat (and cleaning it regularly) will reduce the chances of mishaps. Improper elimination is one of the main reasons cats are surrendered to shelters. Prevent this type of frustration by giving your cat a place of its own to go to the bathroom.

3. Brush your cat every day

This action accomplishes several things: it builds bonding, loosens hairs, helping to prevent hairballs, and allows you to notice changes in certain areas of your cat's body so you can alert you if they need to. If your cat isn't a big fan of brushing at first, give him a few treats to make it easier and make brushing a feeling of well-being. Bonus: Brushing will significantly reduce the amount of hair your cat sheds around the house.

4. Take time to play with your cat

Taking the time to play a few games with your cat will bring you closer and strengthen your bond while keeping your companion mentally and physically active. Many people mistakenly assume that their cat doesn't like to play, but it could very well be that they simply don't know how to do it. Try different types of games, and if you have two cats, separate them and take turns playing with each other, as sometimes cats don't like to play when another cat is around.

5. Install a perch near a window

Provide your cat with a place where they can bask in the sunlight and look outside so they can see birds and squirrels. This keeps them mentally alert. Most window perches are affordable and easy to install.

6. Have him microchipped

All cats, whether indoor or outdoor, should be microchipped. If your cat does run away and gets lost, this will greatly increase the chances of finding him or her. A study of over 7,700 strays and shelters found that unmicrochipped cats were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, while microchipped animals were reunited with their owners 38.5% of the time.

7. Clean the litter box daily

Would you like to use a dirty bathroom? Then, that says it all!