20 Common Mistakes Cat Owners Make

Washing their water bowl.
A cat’s sense of smell is 14 times better than that of humans.
If you wash their water or food bowl, make sure not to use scented dishwashing liquids. Cats hate strong odors and these scents can discourage your pet from drinking water from their bowl.
Toxic houseplants
Some plants are toxic to cats.
Cats may ingest toxic plant substances while they lick themselves because there can be pollen or seeds stuck in their fur. Among the most toxic plants are daffodils, English Ivy, azaleas, Calla lilies, aloe, begonias, and ficus.
Giving bones to them
Cooked bones are a serious danger to felines because they can splinter and get stuck in a cat’s throat or stomach
Essential oils and diffusers
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. ​
Ingredients matter
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. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over 50% of dogs and cats in the US are obese or overweight.
Litter Box Mistakes
As the rule of thumb, it’s best to have at least 1.5 litter boxes per cat. So, if you have one cat, you need two litter boxes; two cats, three litter boxes. it is important to invest in a good, fragrance-free cat litter box and place it in a quiet room that’s free of frequent activity. If your cat is litter trained but urinates on the floor, it’s usually either a sign of urinary tract infections, or a dirty litter box.
Sudden change of diet.
Sudden changes in a cat’s diet may result in vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite and a sick feline. Your cat should be transitioned slowly from one food to another. Plan on taking at least a week to transition your kitty from one food to another.
Not training them
Just like dogs, cats can be trained. Training your cat will improve your life and theirs, and enhance the bond between you.
For example, you can train them to get off the counter, or not to scratch your furniture!
Forcing 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.
Storing food in packaging it didn’t originally come in
The food’s original packaging keeps it from going stale and drying out. it’s important to properly store and seal the cat food in an air-tight container so it doesn’t go rancid or lose its useful substances.
Exercise for Cats
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.
Feeding them milk
Cats are lactose intolerant. In fact, cats will have a stomach problem within ten to twelve hours after consuming it.
Not enough water
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. And be sure to keep several water bowls in your home, and move their water bowl to somewhere that isn’t alongside their food or litter box.
Ignore their vomiting
Some people think it’s ok for a cat to vomit once a week, but it’s not. While vomiting a few times a year or an occasional hairball is normal, vomiting once a week means there is a problem, and a vet visit is necessary.
Neglecting Their Dental Hygiene
Like humans, cats need regular dental care. Their teeth are often home to hundreds of bacteria and need to be brushed just like yours do.
Rarely Visiting a Vet
The only way to ensure that your pet is as healthy as they can be is by taking them to the vet for a checkup.
An occasional checkup makes it easy to catch potential problems . You also want to make sure that your pet gets all of their vaccinations.
Expecting a Cat to Not Harm a Smaller Pet
A cat is very likely to kill smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters because of their natural prey drive.
Bathing 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.
Not avoiding hairballs
To avoid the hairballs, you can brush your cat once a day and add more fiber to their diet. High-fiber diet improves the health of a cat’s coat and minimizes shedding.
Declawing them
Declawing is torturous to cats. It would be akin to cutting off our fingers at the last knuckle, leading to pain and mobility issues.