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Around , yet surveys tell us the cats' .

Cats may , but humans often misconstrue feline behavior. Earlier this year, the Washington Post boldly declared . This was prompted by research showing that, contrary to unhelpful stereotypes, . They can and do bond closely with humans.

The more we learn about cats, the more we realize they are complex individuals with unique and preferences, capable of .

From understanding your cat's language to keeping them safe and healthy—here are science-backed tips to improve the lives of your feline flatmates.

1. Pay attention to body language

Cats communicate with humans using body language and vocalization. However, while cats direct meows at humans, and the meows vary depending on the context, humans . But we can read cat body language.

For example, slow blinking is likely to indicate a . Cats who are not happy (for example, don't want to be touched) will freeze, move away, flatten their ears, hiss, or—if they feel they have no other option—scratch or bite.

It is better to allow cats to approach you on their terms, rather than pushing for social interaction. A cat approaching you with its tail up is giving a , while a tail swishing from side to side signals annoyance.

Cats should always have the option to opt out of any interaction, like being touched. If you aren't sure, just "": stop patting them. If they walk away, they're not keen. If they rub their head against you, they want to continue the interaction.

2. Provide a healthy environment

The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine have agreed upon :

1. A safe space so that cats can retreat if frightened.
2. Multiple, separated key resources (food, water, toileting areas, scratching areas, play areas and resting or sleeping areas) so that cats can comfortably conduct their daily activities.
3. Opportunity for play and predatory behavior, such as games with wand toys that simulate hunting.
4. Positive, consistent and predictable human-cat interactions, respecting a cat's choice about whether and how they interact.
5. Respecting the importance of a cat's senses by avoiding undesirable stimuli (strong smells and loud noises), and providing desirable sensory stimulation (for example, use of catnip or silver vine).

These pillars provide a useful checklist. If you read this and realize your cat's food and water are right next to the litter tray, you can improve your cat's environment (and their experiences of eating and toileting) by separating these resources right now.

3. Clean the litter tray

A litter tray may represent an unpleasant chore to you, but the importance of a spacious litter tray to your cat cannot be overstated. Cats , even if they are the only cat in the household.

Cats like to before, during and after toileting, and they generally .

Poor litter hygiene is associated with a risk of urinary problems, which can be . A found that urinary problems were more common in households with a low number of litter trays per cat, less frequent removal of feces from the trays, and the use of crystal-type cat litter.

If you switch the type of litter you provide, a is recommended to allow cats to get used to the change.

4. Read the room

Do you have more than one cat? Tension between household cats is common but often overlooked, as it's not always physical fighting. Signs of inter-cat tension can include prolonged staring, or even blocking the use of resources such as the litter tray or cat door, to prevent other cats from using them.

In their , the American Association of Feline Practitioners note this can cause chronic fear, anxiety and stress-related illnesses in cats.

Learning to recognize and manage tension between household cats can improve the welfare of all parties.

When you love your cat, it is tempting to seek to amplify the joy by adopting another. But many cats prefer to be the only cat in the household, and don't cope well with a . If they have positive interactions with familiar, trusted humans, they're unlikely to be lonely.

5. Keep cats and other animals safe

Historically, domesticated cats earned their keep from rodents. But what constitutes responsible cat ownership has changed. Around 65% of Australia's cat owners always indoors, while 24% keep their cats confined at night.

A major driver for indoor-only housing of cats is their predation of wildlife. Another is concerns about roaming-associated risks to cats, including cat fights, infectious diseases (such as ), misadventure and motor vehicle trauma. But owners of cats kept entirely indoors were more likely to report .

Ideally, cats shouldn't be allowed to free-roam unsupervised where they can harm wildlife, even within the bounds of the property where you live. More than a third of local councils in Australia cats to be contained overnight or 24 hours a day.

Outdoor access provides sensory stimulation, with different sights, sounds and smells. Alternatives to free roaming include providing access to a well-designed cat run, harness-training your cat, or supervising your cat.

Cats who don't leave home unless they're moving house or being taken to the vet, quickly learn to associate the cat carrier with a trip to an unfamiliar environment. It doesn't take a genius to work out that a vet visit is imminent when the carrier comes out.

But that negative association can be changed. when they approached, stepped inside or rested in the carrier for six weeks were much less stressed during veterinary visits.

Cats are intelligent, and contrary to popular opinion, can be trained. The process can be enriching for cats and humans alike. With patience and commitment, —from a simple "sit" to voluntarily stepping into the cat carrier.

In short, give cats choice, respect their "cat-ness," pay attention to their needs and try to see our world from their point of view. Your cat will be happier for it.

This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .