Four Questions Your Cat Might Ask On National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day

January 22^nd is right around the corner. And though you may not be watching the calendar, your cat surely is— because it’s National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day.

This unofficial holiday will surely be on the mind of every feline, and plenty of questions will soon be on the tips of their tongues.

When they come to you with all their questions, make sure you’re prepared! Think about the questions your fuzzy friend may ask and be sure to have your answers ready.

Questions Your Cat May Ask You

If you’re not prepared for National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day, don’t worry! We’re here to help with some common questions that many cats ask.

From food to entertainment and more, we’ve got you covered.

Keep reading to learn about the four questions that your fluffy family member is sure to pose.

Why Can’t I Have Your Milk?

Despite what you and your cat may have seen on TV, milk actually isn’t great for your cat. In fact, most cats lose the ability to digest milk after they become adults!

This lactose intolerance can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms when owners give their cats milk, including an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you’re really determined to give your cat milk (or if your cat is really determined to have it), search for a lactose-free milk specifically for pets. Many pet stores and even grocery stores carry these varieties.

Instead of milk, try these other treats for your cat:

• Protein-based foods, including tuna, chicken, or beef
• Small pieces of fruit like banana, berry, or melon
• Other bits of breakfast, such as oatmeal or eggs

Keep in mind, not every cat is lactose intolerant. There are some that are still able to process milk, and may even enjoy it!

This may be the case if your cat is constantly trying to steal a sip from your glass. To test their tolerance, give them a little bit and closely monitor their health. If any of the symptoms listed above appear, keep them away from regular milk.

Remember that all milk has calories, whether it’s the regular kind or lactose-free. This means that your cat may gain weight if you don’t keep a close eye on their diet. Many domestic animals suffer from an increased chance of obesity, and cats are no exception.

To avoid this, you should only give milk to your cat in moderation. It’s fine if you use milk as an occasional treat, but your cat shouldn’t have unlimited or frequent access to it. Water should be the only liquid they drink every day.

What Can I Do While You’re At Work?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible for most people to stay home all day with their pets. However much you and your cat may prefer this scenario, it’s prudent to prepare for when you’ll have to leave your cat home alone.

For most people, their cat is alone the longest while they’re at work. And while you may be busy typing away, teaching, and otherwise working, your cat is languishing at home.

Thankfully, there are a number of easy and cost-effective ways to keep your cat entertained and busy while you’re at work.

Some fun options for your feline include:

• Food puzzles, the perfect combination of toys and treats
• Cardboard boxes, paper bags, and crinkled newspaper
• Cat furniture, including cat trees and scratching posts

In addition to these ideas, make sure your cat has access to lots of regular toys. Balls, jingle toys, and even stuffed animals are all tried and true favorites.

To make the week even more interesting for your cat, make sure to rotate the types of toys you leave out. This prevents them from being bored and encourages them to play more often.

You can also leave your blinds or curtains cracked so that your cat can watch the world while they want for you to come home.

If your family is big into TV and movies, you can let your cat join the fun with cat-specific media. From DVDs to TV channels to YouTube videos, there is a large variety of entertainment made specifically for animals.

Why Can’t I Eat The Ficus?

You’ve no doubt read plenty of articles about which plants are toxic or otherwise unsafe for your cat to eat. Just like milk and many foods, they can cause all sorts of intestinal issues.

But rest assured, there are plenty of plants you can grow in your house or backyard that are actually healthy for cats to eat! These include:

• Stimulants, including catnip, silver vane, and cat thyme
• Small amounts of grasses like lemongrass and cat grass
• Herbs such as parsley, mint, and rosemary

Fun fact! Though catnip is the most well-known stimulant for cats, it actually only affects roughly 60% of cats. In contrast, silver vine affects about 80% and similarly boosts your cat’s mood and lowers stress.

Unlike lots of other plants and foods, grasses and herbs can actually help your cat’s digestion, boost their metabolism, and naturally reduce hairballs.

And as a bonus, several of them are lovely to look at and have colors bright enough to rival roses or peace lilies.

Though these foods have less calories than many other cat treats, they should still be given to your cat in moderation. Even if they are healthy, too much at once can still cause an upset stomach.

A brief word of warning: if you decide to grow these outside instead of indoors, make sure to research each plant and its effects on natural habitats. For example, mint is a prolific spreader and can soon overwhelm other native plants.

Why Can’t I Roam Around Outside?

It’s no secret that cats love to explore. However, they can quickly become bored with indoor spaces and try to expand their adventures to the outdoors.

If your cat is frustrated that you won’t let them roam around outside, try running through this list of potential hazards to help them understand:

• Safety – Cars, wild animals, and toxins/ poisons are all dangers that threaten cats when they’re outside unsupervised.
• Health – Outdoor cats are more likely to contract diseases or parasites, such as distemper, respiratory infections, and ringworm.
• Environment – Even if they’re well fed, many cats kill prey animals for fun, upsetting native wildlife and ecosystems.

If your cat needs some outdoor time, there are plenty of ways to do this while still keeping them safe.

The easiest way to do this is to have a ‘catio,’ or secure outdoor space where your cat can explore. Screened in patios or porches and sunrooms are two great examples of spaces that would allow cats to get some fresh air without jeopardizing their safety.

Another way to do this is to leash train your cat and take them for walks. Though we’re more accustomed to doing this with dogs, cats can also be trained to walk on a harness.

If you or your cat aren’t comfortable with this, you can also try an animal stroller. These come equipped with a secure, see-through covering that lets your cat safely interact with the outside world.