[主題] 【好文分享】5 Secrets of the happiest cats讓貓快樂的五大密訣

讓貓快樂的五大密訣撰文：大衛．麥爾，Adopt-a-Pet.com創辦人

5 Secrets of the happiest cats By David Meyer,Co-Founder of Adopt-a-Pet.com

As a co-founder of Adopt-a-Pet.com, North American's largest non-profit homeless pet adoption website with 10,000 animals shelters and 170,000 adoptable pets listed, I have learned quite a few things over the years about what makes cats happy. This is the first in a series of articles about how to make your cat happy, and how to help all pets in your community.

身為一個寵物認養網站的創辦人，北美最大的一個非營利事業組織專門為10,000流浪貓狗動物之家的動物們找家，目前有170,000隻動物被po 在網站上。我從經營這個網站長久的時間裡學到了五個簡單讓貓很快樂的方法。這一系列的文章不但可以讓你的貓快樂，也會幫助到您社區裡的一些街貓。

Happiness is preventing health problems.

快樂的泉源來自於預防疾病的發生。

Secret 1. Happiness is a clean litter box. Cats are very cleanly animals, constantly grooming themselves, and eager to use a litter box when indoors. It can be easy in our busy lives to forget to clean the box, but remember, a clean litter box will keep your cat happy, healthy, and well behaved. Think of it like flushing the toilet for your kitty, so be sure to clean the litter each day, and replace it frequently!

密訣一：快樂的來源來自一個乾淨的貓沙盆。

貓是一種很愛乾淨的物，永遠不停的在打理清理自己的毛，而且進門時的第一件事就是想用貓沙盆。在我們忙碌的生活中很容易就會忘記去清理貓沙盆，但是，請記住一定要每天去清理貓沙盆，定時就更新貓沙哦!就想像是每天在幫您的貓孩子沖馬桶一樣的簡單啦！

【JoAnne 的話】每天定時清理貓沙盆的好處多多，您可以注意看到貓尿塊是否是一整塊而不是散散小尿塊，如果是散散的小小的尿塊表示貓可能有下泌尿道系統上的問題。如果貓沙盆常常有小蟲子或螞蟻，請帶您的貓去做了尿檢看看是否是尿糖值過高有糖尿病的疑慮哦!看看大便是否正常成形，如果大便顏色偏灰白，請注意胰臟的問題。

(註：大部份歐美人養貓有時是放養的方式。請注意：JoAnne 並不鼓勵在亞洲用放養的方式飼養貓咪，因為亞洲人口密度高，住商混合，住宅區裡會有家庭式小工廠，人車來往複雜，貓，八九不離十會被撞到。而且人口密度高，病毒性傳染疾病傳染的速度會以二百倍之快速傳播。)

Secret 2. Happiness is preventing health problems. Cats can't tell your when they don't feel well, so by the time your see a problem in their behavior, it can be a big problem. For example, fleas are probably the single most common thing that can make your cat unhappy, and by the time your see your cat scratching, your house has a flea problem. Be sure to prevent problems before they start. For example, by treating your cat monthly against fleas with a product like Bayer's Advantage.

密訣二：快樂的泉源來自於預防疾病的發生

貓孩子們不會說出他們不舒服了所以當您己經注意到貓孩子的不舒適，那表示問題已經很嚴重了。例如說，跳蚤是很普遍讓貓不快樂的問題之一。而且當你已經看到貓孩子抓到破皮時，你家已經被跳蚤給佔據了。預防更勝於治療，您不防可以使用一個月一次的蚤安滴劑來避免掉貓因為抓破皮感染還有家裡被跳蚤佔領還要清理打掃的麻煩呢！

【JoAnne 的話】給貓爸貓媽們，不要以為貓不出門永遠不會有跳蚤。重點是，人出門，你的身上衣服鞋子可能會帶回家的東西可多著呢！每一次只要提醒認養人在春夏二季要特別注意跳蚤的問題，通常我得到的答案會是，"但，我都是養在家裡呀!"是的，貓在家，我知道，但是您出門呀！

Secret 3. Happiness is mental stimulation. Cats are curious animals and they have instincts (such as stalking and pouncing) that need to get expressed. Give them toys, and whenver you can, dangle objects to get their attention and challenge them to chase and pounce. Also, give them a perch by a window where they can get sunlight and watch the birds outside!

密訣三：快樂的泉源來自給貓孩子們一些感官上的刺激。貓是很好奇的動物，他們有一些習性，如跟縱，跳躍等，貓孩子必須每天可以表達他們習性的事來滿足自己。給他們玩具，不管你如何的忙，有空時就抖動一些貓玩具讓他們有想跟蹤，讓他們去注意然後想玩想跳躍。給他們一個靠窗的地方可以曬曬太陽和看看鳥哦!

【JoAnne 的話】如果您只有一隻貓，不彷在認養一隻，因為這樣可以互相玩尾巴來得到滿足，一舉二得。請以認養代替購買哦!

Secret 4. Happiness is the right foods in the right amounts. More and more, I am seeing cats that are overweight, and as a result are lethargic and unhealthy. All you need to do is choose a well-known cat food, and don't overfeed your cats or give too many treats. I know it's hard to resist those sad eyes and meows, but keeping your cat at a healthy weight will ensure your cat feels great and avoid medical problems.

密訣四：快樂的泉源來自於給予適量合宜的食物。目前在臨床獸醫療上看到很多很多胖子貓，他們總看起來毫無生氣也不快樂。您必須替他們選擇有口碑及穩定合適的乾糧品牌，而且不要過量的給予，也不要給予不當的零食。我知道看著他們裝可憐的樣子很難說不但是為了他們好，請給予適量合宜的食物。記得預防勝於治療。

【JoAnne 的話】不合適及過量的食物帶來的疾病很多，請注意，蛋白質過量時容易造成胰臟及腎臟過度工作而產生胰臟炎或腎臟病。胖子貓很容易有糖尿病及心肌肥大症及脂肪癌腫。請注意哦!而食物裡的鎂過多時容易造成結晶結石，在膀胱裡造成膀胱發炎，尿道結晶阻塞等問題。

Secret 5. All you need is love ( and cuddles). Most cats love to be petted. We might give them a pat on the head now and again, but a cat can be made so happy if you just take five minutes each night before bed, and really give your cat your full attention and a long, good petting. This will really make your cat feel loved, and can also give you a chance to notice any physical changes on your cat that might need attention.

密訣五：快樂的來源來自─你的愛，你的抱抱。所有的貓都愛被摸摸，我們可以摸摸他們的頭一次二次，但他們可能會快樂到翻肚子如果你可以好好的撫摸他們。上床睡覺前只要花個五分鐘的時間，摸摸他們，好好注意他們，他們就會覺得幸福。而且還給了你一次觸覺檢查的好機會。

【JoAnne 的話】這樣的親子時間可以讓您注意您的貓孩子的外觀是否有異狀。毛色毛量是否有改變等哦!

Thanks for providing such good article and let me examin the way I treat my cat properly or not. Now I am sure Darcy is happy because I did all of them every day and maybe that is why my cat is so sweet and in good behavior.

下面引用由揚娜在 2011/11/25 11:10pm 發表的內容：
Thanks for providing such good article and let me examin the way I treat my cat properly or not. Now I am sure Darcy is happy because I did all of them every day and maybe that is why my cat is so ...

You are welcome! More good articles you may go on Facebook and click in Cat Paradise 貓天堂。