20 Things You Must Stop Doing to Your Cat

In this video, we will look at 20 things you should stop doing to your cat.

Don’t yell at them when they misbehave
You should never yell at your cat when disciplining them. It doesn’t work. You'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. Your cat not only will get scared, but they will be very confused as well.
Don’t force them to interact with you
Cats are very independent creatures. They don’t like to be smothered with affection and they need some personal space every now and then. Make sure you provide them all the personal space they want. Likewise, provide your cat with a place where they can hide, be alone, and feel comfortable and secure.
Don’t make them hate their crate
Do you have trouble getting your cat into their carrier? It’s probably because any time your cat goes into a carrier, it’s to go to the vet. You can break this association by leaving your carrier open in your home. Your pet will sniff it, lie inside it, and all around get used to it.
Don’t bathe them
Cats are excellent at grooming themselves and they rarely need to be washed. If you decide to wash them, once or twice a year is enough. By washing your cat frequently, you’re doing them no favors.
Don’t hug them like a baby
When you pick up a cat and cradle them like a baby, they may feel vulnerable and want to find a place to get back to where they feel they are in control of their surroundings.
Don’t surprise them
You probably have watched videos of cats getting scared of cucumbers, but what actually happens is that your cat isn’t afraid of the cucumber itself, but it is the fact that the cucumber appeared next to them without them noticing it. Cats tend to be scared of the unknown, as it could represent a danger or predator, and in the case of a cucumber, a snake.
Although some may find it funny, surprises cause anxiety and fear in your cat. It’s best to look for other ways to have fun with your pet.
Don’t skip the vet
Regular check-ups are so important for your furbaby’s health. The vet can identify issues you might not even be aware of.
Don’t give bones to them
Contrary to what cartoons often show, house cats have no business gnawing on fish skeletons or any cooked bones. Cooked bones are a serious danger to felines because they can splinter and get stuck in a cat's throat or stomach
Don’t declaw them
This one is a must to avoid. Declawing is torturous to cats. It would be akin to cutting off our fingers at the last knuckle, leading to pain and mobility issues. It can even breed a sense of feeling vulnerable or defenseless.
Don’t stick 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. You can even add a little water to your cat’s food.
Don’t dress up your cat
Don’t buy clothes for your pet just because they may look cute in them.
Halloween costumes and Christmas hats can be fun for people, but cats will be totally annoyed if you try to dress them up.
Don’t feed them milk
Although feeding cow’s milk to cats is thoughtful as a pet lover, it hurts them more than it helps. This is because most cats are lactose intolerant.
Don’t use essential oils
Essential oils can be toxic to cats whether ingested orally, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled. It’s because cats lack the enzymes that are needed to metabolize essential oils properly.
Don’t feed them more than the recommended daily intake
Improper feeding can lead to obesity, malnutrition and many health issues. Always monitor the calories in your chosen pet food and adhere to the suggested serving sizes.
It’s important to remember that food is not love, and feline obesity is on the rise.
Don’t use harsh cleaning products
Many cleaning products used in our homes are toxic to cats.
Even if your cat isn’t directly exposed to these products, they may run over a floor that has been mopped and then lick their paws and ingest those toxins. Always check the label. Any product that contains bleach or ammonia is hazardous to animals.
#3. Don’t ignore them
Your feline isn't actually as solitary an animal as you might think—even though it seems like they often want to be left alone most of the time.
Cats do enjoy interacting with their special humans and need routine socialization.
Don’t let them sleep all day
Just like dogs, felines need regular exercise to work off extra energy and stay healthy!
The best way to exercise a cat is by making them chase their favorite toys around the house. Interactive toys, like a wand toy with feathers, strings, or other prey-like attachments that evoke a cat’s predatory behavior are an excellent way to keep them fit.

[dtseringdorje]

Declawing should be forbidden by the criminal law.

[beauxr.benoit]

#20. Don't force them to interact with you.
#19. Don't yell at them when they misbehave.
#18. Don't make the hate their crate.
Note: !This is stated in this video.!
#17. Don't bathe them. It states in this video to wash them instead, but realize that the cat may not
even like that and you will be doing so to risk an injury for yourself.
#16. Don't cradle them like a baby.
#15. Don't surprise them.
#14. Don't skip the Vet.
#13. Don't Scruff them. The place where Momma cat carried them. They won't like it if you do it.
#12. Don't give them bones.
#11. Don't declaw them.
#10. Don't stick with dry food. If they don't get enough water, they'll get Kidney Stones. Kitty will
really be pissed then.
#9. Don't dress up your cat.
#8. Don't feed them milk, cats are Lactose intolerant.
#7. Don't use essential oils, they can be dangerous to the cat.
#6. Don't feed them more than the Dily Recomended amount.
#5. Don't use harsh cleaning products, they can be toxic to cats.
#4. Don't let them sleep all day.
#3. Don't ignore them.
#2. Don't forget to tire them out if they need it. They might need exercise if they are in the house all
day.
#1. Don't forget to give them a scratching post.

[bobsmith]

This is basically how I treat my cat. The only real exception is the dry food. I've tried wet food with her, but she won't eat it. But I give her a lot of cold water from the refrigerator—she loves that.

[thomasmartinscott]

My cat WANTS me to "Scruff" him. He sits by me and meows. When I say, "C'mon", he hunkers down and sticks his neck out. He does it EVERY day. I finally pick him up that way, and he just purrs loudly. After a few minutes, he jumps down and does it again. When he doesn't want that, he just jumps right into my lap.

[ZaasKenar]

In regards to the "never bathe your cat" part - not all cats are good at grooming themselves.
I've dealt with 30+ cats in my lifetime and their grooming activity varies from "next to never" to "multiple thorough sessions per day".
Not to mention old cats often need help with cleaning themselves due to various health issues.

[kachiri]

Declawing: I like that this video showed that animation of a human's fingers removed at knuckles. Really gets the point made. Other videos I seen that mention about the declawing don't show anything like that. Good work, showing that!

[amandajoyce]

This is a fabulous list of terrible things done to cats daily in the name of love through utter ignorance. Things that needed to be said!

[taraanne]

But remember, don’t cradle them UNLESS you have a certain breed, some breeds like to be cradled. Such as a ragdoll cat.

[SalishOrcaOfIndigo]

Some cats LOVE being held and cradled. My cats do! They are always jumping into my arms, even climb up my body when I'm standing, because they want to be held. I think this depends on how young they were socialized, and how they were raised. My cats also like to sleep in bed with us.

[denisegreen]

I was afraid to get cats. They are the best animals I ever have. We had 3. Now we have 2. It all depends on the cats personality. One of our cats is really chilled and calm. You can touch, pick him up and rub him anytime. The other you have to know his limits. Both are great cats though. We raised both as kittens

[thomasmartinscott]

Packing Tape on the furniture spot you don't want them to claw works wonderfully. I had a new couch and 2 of my cats began clawing the arm. I covered it in cellophane Packing tape for about a week. They developed habits of clawing elsewhere, and when I took the tape off, they never went back to clawing the couch arm. I've had cats for 70 years.

[EchoGhost]

My cats love to be held like a baby. The just sit in my arms without any force needed and love the attention. Plus my boy loves being held and walked around the house, seeing things from our level. However, I do agree with not doing it to your cat if they aren't used to it or don't want to do it. It depends on the cat's personality and forcing them can injure them.

My cats also don't mind belly scratches despite most cats not liking them. They'll go on their backs, stretch and roll around, and get belly scritches. I'll also play with them by ruffling their bellies but never do this if you're not confident your cat won't hurt you or they don't like it. Again, my cats are big teddy bears and love playing like this and know not to bite too hard or dig their nails in too much. They also enjoy this rough housing and are the ones who controll how long it goes on for.

[lfwagh]

We've had cats since I was 10 years old (46 years). We've never bathed them. They don't need bathing, unless they get into something seriously dirty (oil, sprayed by a skunk, fleas etc.). Generally we leave kitties alone unless they want loving. When you live with a cat, it's all about them and what they want, not what the humans want.

[lmoh]

Once upon a time, back in the 90s, a family member owned a cat. One day this person saw their children playing with the cat, putting the face up close to the cat. The person freaked out and understood that in order to let their kids safely play with the cat, the cat had to be declawed. So without telling anyone, this person took the cat to the local vet, and declawed the poor creature. This cat was never the same, and I was the first one to notice the strange change in behavior. It broke my heart. The cat became hostile towards the family members, specially to the one that kidnapped and drive to the vet, I also became hostile to this family member, but who cares about what a kid got to say right? Smh.

One day, the cat couldn’t take the suffering and betrayal anymore and fled the house. With no claws to fight or hunt, the cat embarked in a journey, it understood that the cruel outside world was paradise compared to the atrocities endured back at “home”. Weeks went by, but the cat never came back. One day we found an animal, flattened out on the pavement in one of the streets of the neighborhood, as if it was some sort of street art. There it was, the cat that never came back. It broke my heart, I never wanted to own a cat until now.

20 years later I have my own, and anyone who dares hurt my cat, will get declawed, I’ll be doing the declawing.

[nensprklzz]

Pin pls

0:19 Dont Force Them To Interact With You
0:40 Don't yell at them when they misbehave
1:13 Don't make them hate their crate
1:49 Don't bathe them
2:05 Don't cradle them like a baby
2:33 Don't surprise them
3:06 Don't skip the vet
3:26 Scruffing
4:27 Don't give bones to them
4:50 Don't declaw them
5:25 Don't stick with dry food
6:01 Don't dress up your cat
6:31 Don't feed them milk
6:48 Don't use essential oils
7:24 Don't feed them more than the RDI
7:55 Don't use harsh cleaning products
8:17 Don't ignore them
8:45 Don't let them sleep all day

[wfcoaker]

I have two toms, litter mates. I have never treated them as people. If I wanted to live with people, I would. Most of the things mentioned in these videos don't apply to mine. They don't give a darn about cucumbers and they love belly rubs. I think it's because they've always been treated as cats, and not as some sad replacement for the kids I never had. They're my cool roommates.

[terencebabb]

Don’t torchure a cat by declawing them because they scratch your furniture just get them a stratching post declawing should be illegal

[PetraYT]

Honestly, we've had several cats over the past 45+ years or so, and I can't even remember if we EVER had to wash one. The only reason I'd wash a cat was if their fur was covered in a harmful substance. (Hasn't happened to our cats though.)
P.S. If you even THINK about "declawing" (=mutilating) a cat, you are NOT a cat person. Don't get a cat. Cats do have claws. If they use them too much on you, slap their face with your finger, but do NOT mutilate them.

[smolsews]

"don't ignore them"
Me at 3am: "sod off!" 😂

[frikghorgan]

My cat and I have a game where I'll hide behind a corner making some noise, and when he runs to investigate, I jump out and say "BOO!". He loves it and always excitedly runs over; he usually pounces the second he rounds the corner in an attempt to surprise me first (I usually let him "win" by acting like I'm the one that was surprised). It's adorable and he loves it...there's a difference between playing a game with them trying and trying to scare them.