Six ways to improve your cat’s one wild and precious life

Like their canine counterparts, cats require exercise, enrichment and play

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I have grossly underestimated cat owners. I believed cats to be low-maintenance creatures – particularly compared with dogs – simply requiring a plate of tuna, a comfy bed and as little human contact as possible. After Tracy Allison, our photo editor, shared that she takes her feisty cat, Tux, on walks to improve his mood, I realized I was mistaken.

It turns out that, like their canine counterparts, cats require exercise, enrichment and play. For some cats, toys are enough, but Tux, an outdoor cat confined to the house after a scuffle with a feral tomcat, was unimpressed with feathers on a string. Allison pulled the trigger on a leash and harness.

In her piece, Allison shared how you too can walk your cat, recommending protective accessories including a breakaway collar and pet-safe sunscreen. A pro behind the camera, Allison also included some very adorable photos.

Read the story: ‘The leash is his best friend’: how (and why) I walk my cat outside like a dog

Not all cats will take to walks – and that’s OK. Allison also asked experts how to enrich their lives indoors, recommending the best puzzles and toys. We also shared tips for pet-proofing your home, vetted by cat owners themselves.

Below I’ve outlined a few of our top recommendations that will earn you “cat owner of the year”.

Ready to give your cat a taste of life outdoors? Start with an extra-long leash. Allison uses this one for walking Tux, which she said allows her “enough slack to prevent an immediate escape and enough time to calm him down before he can bolt”.

A well-fitted harness is another one of Allison’s must-haves. Tux rocks this one from Rabbitgoo, which is well-fitted to ensure he can’t wriggle free.

Instead of your cat’s normal food dish, swap it for a tricky puzzle, suggested Stephanie Merlin, a certified cat behavior specialist.

She told Allison that this puts their problem-solving skills to work and helps them sneak in a bit of exercise.

Tux is partial to this cat enclosure (he uses the extra-large size).

“It gives him the full outdoor experience without the stress of staying constantly alert. Lately, Tux’s favorite thing is sitting out there late at night and listening to crickets. I like to think it reminds him of when he was a young stray sleeping under stars,” Allison wrote.

Read the story: Your indoor cat is bored. Here are toys and tools to fix that

“Whenever people tell me their cats ruin their furniture but they don’t want a scratching post, I’m like, ‘Well then, you’re accepting ruined furniture,” one cat owner told Filter contributor Marissa Miller in our guide to pet-proofing your home.

“When my male cat was urinating blood all over my home, I learned he was associating his litter box with discomfort,” wrote Miller. After learning this was due to severe dehydration she switched his basic water bowl out for this one, which she’s found “emits a constant stream of fresh water that kitties can actually see, leading them to drink”.

Read the story: ‘It saved my couch’: 10 must-have items cat owners swear by to pet-proof their home

My two-week vacation to Japan is fast approaching. While I’ve planned my itinerary, I’ve yet to finalize my packing list. Lucky for me, Filter contributor Tim Stevens, who travels 150 days a year, shared his best advice for packing like a pro.

Amongst his recommendations was a plush travel pillow and a lightweight swap that may just convince me to leave my laptop at home.

ProtoArc XK01 Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard

Read the story: Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home

“If 100 people were blindfolded and taste-tested the original Guinness next to Guinness 0, the majority of them wouldn’t be able to tell the difference,” wrote Filter contributor Beth Demmon in her guide to the best non-alcoholic beers.

We decided to put her theory to the test, recruiting Guardian staffers, including one of Irish descent, to try both beers and see if they could differentiate between the two.

Discover the results: Guinness v alcohol-free Guinness 0: we held a blind taste test to see if we could spot the fake

The average American sits for nearly 10 hours per day. We might as well make ourselves as comfortable as possible.

To find the best seat cushions on the market, Adam Doud tested eight models on airplane seats and hard chairs. Surprisingly, our Filter contributor’s favorite was this affordable cushion, which even beat out a luxurious option made by a popular mattress brand. Xtreme Comforts Seat Cushion

Read the story: You need to sit down for this – the best seat cushions in the US to relieve your back

When Filter contributor Tobey Grumet Segal turned 50, she decided to upgrade her skincare routine.

After testing out a slew of products, she found 13 of the best tinctures and gadgets worthy of your dollar.

None of her recommendations will transform your skin into the supple, baby skin of a Sephora tween. However, the facial mist and vitamin C serum she’s added to her routine may help protect your skin from pollution and sun damage.

Level up your skincare routine: I started using these 13 skincare products after 50, and they really work

As a member of gen Z, I’m practically conditioned to be obsessed with wellness. I’m even known to dabble in “woo-woo” practices, recently trying a $1,400 PEMF mat with crystals to see if it could bring me inner peace.

So I was thrilled to discover the gadgets that our contributors swear by to feel good inside and out, which included a sleep tracker that has been on my wish list for years, and a practical running belt.

Read their recommendations: ‘A literal life-saver’: 12 essential exercise products our writers use to get fit