Top 3 Things You Should STOP Doing as a Cat Owner — and What to Do Instead
Think you’re doing everything right as a cat parent? You might be unintentionally creating stress for your cats! Here are the top 3 things you should stop doing — and what to do instead — to make mealtime, water, and litter box time much happier for your feline friends.
As cat owners, we all want to give our pets the best care possible — but sometimes, without realizing it, we’re doing things that actually make life harder for them. That’s why I’ve put together the Top 3 things you should stop doing as a cat owner — and what to do instead.
These aren’t about being a “bad” cat parent — they’re about learning small changes that can make a big difference in your cat’s health, happiness, and behavior.
Disclaimer: Not every cat will be bothered by these things — some may seem perfectly fine with them. But even if your cat tolerates it, why not make life easier and more comfortable for them when you can?
1. Stop having your cats eat together
Cats are NOT social eaters (however, there are some exceptions!). Most naturally prefer to eat alone. Having them eat side by side increases the chances of anxiety, resource guarding, and potential aggression or other negative behaviors.
What you can do instead:
Feed cats in separate spaces when possible. Put their dishes at different spots or on different levels, or use visual barriers so each cat has a calm, private spot to eat. Microchip feeders or timed/puzzle feeders also help give each cat uninterrupted mealtimes. Bonus points if you place their dish facing into the room, not toward a wall — it makes them feel more secure.
2. Stop relying on only one water source
A single water bowl might sound fine, but cats often drink more when they have multiple options. Limited access can mean less hydration and more risk of urinary issues. Not just that – but if you are in a multicat household, having only one water source can increase chances of tension if two cats choose to drink at the same time. Or worse, one cat might block another from accessing it.
What you can do instead:
Place several bowls or fountains in different areas of the house to encourage more frequent drinking and reduce any potential stressors that may come from having only one source to drink from.
3. Stop using automated litterboxes
WHAAAT??? BUT THEY'RE SO NICE!!!! They're actually not.
While convenient for us, many cats dislike the noise, movement, and smell of automated litter boxes. They can also be too small, too enclosed, or too high up. Despite how companies may market them, these boxes are NOT designed with cats in mind — only humans. Some cats even avoid using them altogether, which can quickly turn into bigger behavioral or health problems. Plus… I haven’t seen an automated litter box that doesn’t get trashed in a few months or is actually easy to deep clean. They’re simply not worth it.
(Note: if you need to use an automated litter box — for example, if you’re disabled or away a lot — I HIGHLY recommend the Popur litterbox. It is not perfect, but is fairly cat friendly and easier to deep clean than most.)
What you can do instead:
Stick with large, open litter boxes that give your cat plenty of space and comfort. For odor control, consider XXL stainless steel litter boxes, use litter genies, and scoop twice daily. Your cat will thank you!
Remember, these may not be problems for every cat.
Some cats seem perfectly fine with them – some even are! But even if your cats tolerate it, making small changes can improve their comfort, reduce stress, and prevent future behavior or health issues. Every cat deserves a little extra consideration, and small tweaks can make a big difference in their happiness.
