10 Things All Cat Parents Can Relate To

If you’ve ever had a cat, you know they are unlike any other house pet. From the joy they bring when they choose to sit on your lap to the seemingly impossible amount of hair they lose, these are just some of the things you can expect when you become a cat parent – and it’s 100% worth it.

1. You’ve spent more time than you’d like to admit finding food your cat enjoys

Cats can be notoriously picky eaters, so there’s a good chance many of you have had to switch the food you’re feeding them at least once. But just because cats can be picky eaters doesn’t mean that you have to be constantly swapping brands. We’ll let you in on a little secret, cat parent to cat parent – our Freshpet recipes are picky eater approved! We have three lines of food, each with products that come in a variety of formats, from patés to tender bites, so you can switch up your cat’s meal without having to change brands.

2. There is no better feeling than when your cat chooses to sit on your lap

Not all cats are lap cats, so when they do choose to sit on you there is no better feeling. This is especially true when there are multiple laps to choose from in the room. If you want to increase the likelihood of your cat coming to sit on you, just play it cool. They always seem to go to the person who seems the least interested in getting their attention.

3. You know the stress of needing to move, but your cat is sitting on you

It’s not every day that your cat chooses to sit on your lap, so you don’t want to offend them by moving them before they’re ready. This means once your cat sits down, get comfortable because you’re stuck there until they’re ready to go. Perhaps it’s a good time to create a new house rule – whoever the cat is sitting on can request provisions from anyone else in the house for as long as they're on their lap.

4. It can be a real struggle to find nice-looking cat furniture

Climbing trees, scratching posts, and litter boxes are must-haves for cats, but it can be a struggle to find nice-looking ones at your local pet store. Fortunately, there are several brands, such as Tuft and Paw, that sell designer cat furniture and accessories through their online store. This means you can incorporate these cat-friendly pieces into your home, instead of hiding them out of sight in some forgotten corner.

5. You’ve accepted that cat hair will be on everything, everywhere

For such small creatures, cats sure do have a lot of hair. No matter how often you brush them or vacuum your house, their hair just seems to be everywhere. The funny thing is, it’s not uncommon to find cat hair on things that you are sure they haven’t even been around yet – such as that new sweater you’ve just pulled out of your shopping bag.

6. You know that keeping your cat off the counter or table is nearly impossible

To those without a cat, the thought of having them on the same surface you prepare food and eat is less than appealing. But cat parents know that no matter how hard you try, it’s nearly impossible to keep your cat off of these surfaces. Of course, you can get creative with furniture and accessories to give your cats lots of vertical space to explore, but there’s still no guarantee that’ll keep them off of your counter or table. It’s okay though, it just means a little extra cleaning to keep the surfaces nice and clean.

7. Cats seem to be their most active between the hours of 4 and 6 am

Cats sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day. If you’ve ever been home with your cat during the day, you can confirm that most of these sleeping hours tend to take place when the sun is up. While they make sure they’re up for meals and the odd playtime, cats seem to reserve a few of their waking hours for the middle of the night. We’re talking sprinting around the house and meowing as they excitedly chase their favorite toy. This can be quite a jarring experience to be woken up to, but cat parents know that the best solution is to keep a pair of good earplugs on hand so you can just pop them in and fall back to sleep without having to interrupt playtime.

8. There’s no point buying cats expensive toys

Every cat parent has had the experience of purchasing their furry friend a new toy, only to have them completely ignore it. No matter how nice the new toy you pick out for them is, nine times out of ten your cat will be more interested in the box it came in. In fact, they’ll probably be entertained by things that are closer to garbage than a toy – think a piece of ribbon that came on a package, a ball of tin foil, or even a loose q-tip.

9. Cats have no sense of personal space

It’s a popular misconception that all cats are aloof creatures who enjoy being alone. While this is certainly true for some cats, others love nothing more than being around their human. And by “around” we mean literally on top. Trying to work on your computer? Your cat insists on sitting on your keyboard. Trying to read? Your cat needs to sit directly between you and the book. Trying to sleep? Your cat wants to share your pillow or better yet, use your face as their own pillow. Even the most patient cat-parent can find this behaviour trying at times, but there’s no denying that it’s your cat's way of showing that they love being with you.

10. You know exactly when your cat is done with being petted

As much as your cat likes a good pet, there will always be a point where they’ve had enough. If you aren’t able to recognize the subtle signs they give to show they’ve had enough, there’s a good chance you'll end up with a few scratches or bite marks on your hand. It could be something as subtle as a flick of the tail or a quick side-eyed glance, or it could simply be that you’ve learned the hard way that four or five pets are enough. Either way, you have mastered the art of giving your pet affection without overdoing it.

You may have to invest in a few extra lint rollers and earplugs to block out the early morning zoomies, but the joy cats bring to your life makes it all worth it.