When it comes to our own wellness, there are three parts to consider: Mind, Body and Spirit. We want to exercise our mind to keep sharp and aware, our body to keep physically healthy and our spirit to nourish our spiritual side. When it comes to our pets, it's not too different. While the spiritual side for cats might be more of a stretch (I don't know many cats who go to church or practice yoga), the way to keep their minds and bodies healthy are pretty similar to what we need to do for our own!
Cat Wellness – Keeping Our Furry Friends Healthy
1. Mind
I know that my cats are always happier, and more well-behaved, when they are able to exercise their mind frequently. For us, that means fun and challenging toys! They like what I call “peek-a-boo” toys where a ball, toy mouse, etc. will hide inside a toy and they need to figure out a way to either make it move or get it out. My Sammy also especially likes lasers! His newest toy randomly shoots a beam around the room for 15 minutes at a time. It's fun to watch him try to figure out where it is going next.
2. Body
Those toys also help keep our cats active! I like to add in the classic feather on a string toy that gets them running and jumping. But exercise isn't the only part of keeping their body healthy – food plays a big role. You want to choose a high quality food that puts lots of GOOD things in while keeping the BAD things out. Wellness Natural Pet Food has two great options with CORE Grain Free Dry Formula and CORE Grain Free Air Dried.
CORE Grain Free Air Drie Grain-free CORE Original helps support your cat’s optimal health and digestion with turkey, chicken, whitefish, herring, salmon oil and cranberries. It is nutrient-dense and enhanced with antioxidants and probiotics. It also obviously tastes good because my cats love it! Grain-free CORE Original has no meat by-products or fillers and no grain, corn, soy, wheat-gluten or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. It DOES include fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat.
Grain-free CORE Air Dried Indoor is an ultra-digestible cat food with 70% of delectable protein ingredients in every tender and moist bite. It’s a protein-rich meaty topper, treat or complete, balanced meal that can help support your cat’s optimal health. It supports healthy weight for less active cats with an indoor lifestyle like mine and supports whole-body health with omega fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin. It has no meat by-products or fillers and no grain, corn, soy, wheat-gluten or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. And while it may not be an intended use, my dog gets really jealous when he sees the cats eat this food so I let him have it as a little treat on top of his food. It's his favorite treat.
3. Spirit
While “cat spirituality” is definitely different from humans, they do thrive with human connections and attention. Each of my three cats wants different things from me. While my little Cleo loves to curl up and snuggle in my lap whenever I'm on the couch or reading in bed, my Sammy prefers watching me work at my computer (and occasionally battling the mouse cursor on my screen). However they look for it, I know that human connection is another important part of keeping them happy and healthy.
Our cats are a BIG part of our lives and their health and wellness is an important priority. All the effort that goes into maintaining it is more than returned through the love, laughs and cuddles they provide to us!
robin masshole mommy says
My brother just got a new cat. He has never had one before, so he will appreciate this.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is a great post. You have to be so cognizant of your cat’s health. They deserve to be taken care of as well as our dogs, even if they aren’t as demanding.
Pam Wattenbarger says
It is so important to keep your cats healthy. This food sounds perfect for even the pickiest kitties.
Marcie Wahrer says
These are all great suggestions on how to best care for our kitties.I love that you made sure to include a spiritual aspect because pets have a need for a connection too.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have been looking for better brand of cat food for my two cats. I think it is so important to give your pets the best care you can to make sure they stay healthy.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Having a cat, or a dog, or any pet for that matter entails a lot of responsibility. Pets are family members too and we should look out for their health and well being. I love this post. I’m getting these products for my cat to try out.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
A lot of people just feed their pets and forget how important all the other stuff is!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is really helpful! I’ve been finding some great ways to keep my pets healthy. Would love to know more about this. 😀
Candy O says
Going to share your post with my sister. She’s got two cats. I can’t wait to be able to have pets again!
Our Family World says
I will recommend this article to my bff who owns 3 cats!! im sure she will love this post.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Just the other day in the Pet Store, I saw a cool-looking cat toy.
It was a turf with holes in it (ground simulator) that had fur balls down under its surface so cats could “hunt” for them!
I thought it was a pretty neat idea for mind exercising your cat.
Melissa says
I don’t have cats now but I work at a rescue and we always have cats and kiittins that need homes. I will suggest to the new owners the Core foods from Wellness Natural Pet Food.
Marybeth Hamilton says
So cute! Cats can be so hard to read, so breaking it into three different areas is helpful. I love when I find just the right activity to challenge my cats’ minds!
Dawn McAlexander says
Your cats are so cute! We really haven’t had any cats in our lives since our beloved Garfield passed away a couple of years ago. I love a friendly cat, and Garfield was the friendliest.
Crystal says
Taking care of our pets is a big responsibility. There’s so much more than just feeding them. Thanks for reminding me of ways I can improve their quality of life.
makeba says
It’s so important that cats have the right foods to stay healthy. I have a cat, and I’m so glad that you share this! I’m going to have to check this brand out!
Amy Orvin says
I have been trying to buy better foods for my cats , but have never tried Core yet. I want them all to be as healthy as possible for many ,many years to come. Which is why I am trying so hard to feed them better. I will check into CORE!
shelly peterson says
This is a great post that I will share with my daughter who has a cat.
ellen beck says
I love all animals but especially cats. I have done rescue for years and manage a feral colony. Each cat has their needs and own personality. I liked this post.
Kiwi says
This is a cute post on kitty mind body and spirit. Great segway into how cat deserve the best in food and overall improve in their wellness.
Laura says
Thank you for sharing! It’s so important to keep our cats healthy. We have two of them. Spoiled little things! lol!
Darcy Koch says
It is just as important to take care of your cat’s physical and mental needs as much as you attend to your own.