Good food, plenty of play, and avoiding these four mistakes will keep your cat happy

We all want to be the best pet parent we can be and most of us can't get enough of the playful antics and affection that our feline friends bring to our day-to-day lives. In fact, we love our four-pawed pals so much that we often don't think twice about spending money on the best cat toys or stocking up on more treats to ensure they stay happy and healthy.

And yet, sometimes we can inadvertently do things that leave our cats feeling sad and disconnected from us. "In my book, there are some things you should never, ever do to your cat," says behaviorist Jackson Galaxy.

When we came across Galaxy's TikTok video on exactly that subject and saw that it had amassed more than six million views, we knew that this famous kitty-whisperer's important tips would help give you the edge when it comes to building a strong and enduring bond with your feline friend.

You can check out the video below or keep reading to find out the four things Galaxy says you should never do to your cat.....

1. Declawing

"Just don't do it," stresses Galaxy. Whatever you're trying to solve, it won't get solved. It hurts them, it's illegal in many countries and it should be illegal here in the United States as well."

2. Squirting your cat with water

"Don't use the squirt bottle with your cat," says Galaxy. "All you're doing is making them scared and they're scared of you. As a training tool it just doesn't work. What happens when you're not in the room and your cat scratches the carpet? They'll do it again."

3. Yelling at them

"If you think that yelling at your cat because they did something will work, it doesn't. Again, all you're doing is damaging your relationship," Galaxy explains.

4. Giving up on them

"Don't give up. Don't give up on your cat," Galaxy advises. "If there's something going on, something getting in the way of your relationship or if they're damaging the home in some way, shape or form, you can work through these issues."

Looking for tips on how to ensure your feline friend stays happy and healthy? Then be sure to check out the nine reasons to use a cat puzzle feeder toy, written by our expert vet.