I come across this article http://www.petplace.com/cats/is-you...appy/page1.aspx when searching around to improve my cats room...

What is Pet Happiness?

According to the English dictionary, happiness is a feeling of contentedness, well-being, pleasure, or good fortune. It is not, as curmudgeon Ambrose Bierce once said, an agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another [though some humans do seem to derive pleasure in that way].

With cats, many essentially wear their hearts on their sleeves, contentedness and well-being is a far less complicated affair and is plain for all to see - as long as you know what you are looking for.

Signs of Happiness

Content cats sleep for about 10 to 16 hours per day, mostly at night. They wake up early and set out in search of food. Breakfast, if you will! They appear bright, alert, active, and solicit attention from their owners. They also interact positively with each other in the case of multi-pet homes. Through the morning, they play, enjoy social activities, perhaps resting briefly between events.

Cats will often siesta around noontime, getting into the proverbial catnap mode, preparing for the next bout of fervent activity. Increased activity becomes apparent as the late afternoon approaches and into early evening, with the excitement of returning family members and mealtimes. The various actions and interactions that occur at this time are engaged in with interest and joy. Eyes are bright, ears are swiveling, and tails are high. A quieter late evening period ensues with contented animals enjoying each others' company or seeking out and staying close to their human caregivers for company. Cats may solicit petting and purr. All the world is at peace.

Unhappiness

Unhappy cats are created by adverse experiences, inconsistent interactions with their owners, lack of exercise, an unstable routine, in appropriate social interactions, and by underemployment. What owners have to remember is that while their homes are set up to please them, with all "mod cons" like telephones, VCR's, computers, furniture, and elegant décor, none of these things is really appreciated by the cat. For owners to keep their cats happy, they have to think like a cat. Think "how would I like it if" and then work their way through their cat's 24-hour day. How would I like it if my owner didn't protect my interests? How would I like it if my owner never played with me or barely communicated with me in any way? How would I like it if my life was totally unpredictable, uncontrollable, and was punctuated by adverse social interactions? How would I like it if I had nothing to do all day long?

When things go wrong, aspects of the "unhappy cat syndrome" start to emerge. Unhappy pets often sleep more in a 24-hour period, entering a state bordering on depression or learned helplessness. On the other hand, they may sleep more fitfully at night as they are not in a proper routine. Lack of gainful employment leads to any number of behavior problems that arise as diversions. These sometimes take the form of destructive behavior, or overeating. Some cats will not pay attention to their owners or become more aloof . Their eyes don't shine with excitement but rather appear dull and vacuous. Such cats may adopt hunkered, cowed postures and may show a lack of alertness and curiosity. Many are anti-social and some act out their negative feelings toward others. Many times, attention to the basics can turn an animal like this around. The following is a list of items that may need attention:

Steps to a Happy Cat

Most animals are happier if they have a set routine and know what to expect.

Exercise is a great stress reliever and should be encouraged. Indoor cats will also need a workout and this can usually be accomplished by using certain mobile toys.

Food should be healthful and supplied on a regular basis at mealtimes. It is probably a good idea to change flavors from time to time to prevent boredom of a certain type of food from setting in.

Medical matters that are bothering the cat should be addressed. Parasites should be controlled, endocrine disturbances should be addressed, pain should be alleviated, and allergies should be attended to. You can't be happy as a cat when you're in pain, itching all the time or in discomfort.

For cats that are withdrawn, they should be coaxed out of themselves and encouraged to join in and be more social.

Their involvement should be rewarded in no uncertain terms. You can do this by encouraging play with a feathery flyer (wand with feathers on bird that mimics the motion of a bird) or with a laser pointer moving the light around.

Summary

The happy cat that arises as a result of the aforementioned adjustments will sleep well at night and look forward to and enjoy each day and the entertainment that it brings. Aggressive behavior should melt away, fears will be quelled, and annoying habits will be replaced by constructive alternatives. Once this happy Utopian state has been achieved, an owner will enjoy his or her cat or cats even more and, perhaps more importantly, the cat will look up to its owner as it positively radiates appreciation and, what else, happiness.

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Cats are precious creatures that enhance one's life. Respect them, take good care of them, and above all, love them. Their love, affection and attention will be your reward.

I vote No because my partner said that the cats misses me. Especially the fat Oren. He keeps meowing in front of my bedroom. Pity him. It's been a month since i played with him.

I be gomol2 him when i returned this 8 Dec to Malaysia.

I have few friends who come over and play with Oren but I guess Oren still want his favorite toy to be around.

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Good Read For Cat Lovers

stop breeding domestic cats | start spaying/neutering your cat(s)
stop supporting those breeders | start saving strays cat

while im out working, they are put in a room and when im back they willbe free roam. when im asleep they'll play in the dining like no other business until they bang on my pintu bilik...and sometimes if im too lazy to wake up and sleep in the room they like running and jumping over my body (ouchh sometimes its hurt sampai terpijak kepala aku... but im ok..infact kelaka sbb always terkejut in the middle of my sleep) and few hours later ada something warm and heavy and fury nearer ...awwwhh they cuddly sleep closely next to me...so comel....so even tho they are indoor all the time and missed out the outside adventures which a cat should be doing but ..i guess my furkids are all happy... and ..still improving it

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mel you're always in my pray

....in certain things the eye of a woman will always see more deeply than a hundred man's eyes....

I marked "I am not sure" because....

In my old condo, they roamed free around the house and made me "roamed free" to clinics and also ENT offices. They were very happy back then because everyday after work, I would see toppled chairs and hairs flying everywhere.

When I moved to my new condo, I put them in a room and will only let them out when I came back from work. About 2-3 hours later, I send them back to their room. The room is big enough for them but I know they dont like it!

I have no choice, because if they want me to live long, that is the only way. If I die, their fates are unknown. I suffer of severe nasal problem - had nasal surgery 2 months back but nothing changes. Most of ENTs I have met suggested me to move to cold places or countries.

Some doctors did suggest me to give away my cats but I told them, I wil die much faster if I give them away.

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Ĵåγ™

If you think I am a human, you are DEAD wrong because.. Im a domesticated shorthair cat who went to school!

My Boys:- Trey Joshua Jay (DLH); Leroy Allen Jay (MCO); William Henry Jay (MCO)

seems that some of my cats are happier given the chance to roam all over the house, but this arrangement not possible for me. so they are given a room, with two kitty roaming the house. i will let a few cats everyday to roam the house when i'm back. but some of my cats are happier living in the room all the time - after a few minutes, meowing to get in the cats room. so i will let out those that want out only... sometimes i feel guilty when i get sick i'm not able to play around with them. but to stay healthier and to spend more time with them, i believe this is the best arrangement.

sometimes i felt the tug to cage them in the porch, so that they can watch the world go by. but for their safety, better to stay indoors. maybe in the future i can give them both in and outdoors. the current arrangement is best for all of us.

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Cats are precious creatures that enhance one's life. Respect them, take good care of them, and above all, love them. Their love, affection and attention will be your reward.

i agree with you. i got asthma a few years ago, but i will get it anywhere btw. cats aren't the triggers. and i think i'll die faster if not for my cats! and yeah, if the place is cold, like cameron i am wayyyy healthier!

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Cats are precious creatures that enhance one's life. Respect them, take good care of them, and above all, love them. Their love, affection and attention will be your reward.

I marked as there's room for improvement.....

same with me,

there will ll be always a room for improvement,

I choose "Yes, but I'm still improving the environment..." cause my cats seems to enjoy their lives with me. I gave them good food,weekly treat,a lot of toys,a scratching post,free in-house roaming and of course spend a quality time with them. But still I try to improve the environment from time to time. I think Pika is happier now since Paris accompany him. Lonely no more .

My girl Sydney Girl used to be unhappy showing tantrum and bites. After I have Boboy Jedi as her companion, she seems more happy having another cat to play with. Even though their age is rather far apart, nevertheless she is happier. Now with the arrival of Baby Boy, Sydney is even more happy. Only plays when she wants to with both boys and have the boys play for her when she is not in the mood. She would just sit on the highest point and watch with amusement like a Queen watching the gladiators perform infront of her in the arena.

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If there is a will there is a way