Crash. Bash. The antique vase was smashed. This was the story of my life when we got our oldest cat, Sassie. She spent as much of her time as possible sitting on top of furniture, pushing, pushing, pushing objects with her paw. No matter how many times I moved her, she would return to her perch to happily try to push any available item to the floor. It took me a while, but finally I wised up and purchased her a stocking full of toys for Christmas. Now we have a house full of cats and cat toys. I’ve learned a lot about cat care over the years and know they need stimulation and physical activity to help them be happy pets and healthy pets.
When I want my cats to feel extra special I give them cat treats. This helps with bonding and can be used as a reward for good behavior. Plus, it is funny to see how fast they can come running from all over the house when I shake the bag and yell, “Who wants treatsies?”
Our cats have a scratching post in the family and toys scattered beside it. I rotate the toys to keep them from becoming bored and don’t put them all out at once. The cats especially love anything with bells or toys that squeak. We often hear toys squeaking through the house. They seem to have the urge to play in the middle of the night. Be sure to avoid too small toys or toys that have parts that come off easily. I’ve picked up many a broken piece of toy the cats could have swallowed.
Another important factor in keeping pets healthy is grooming. Our twelve year old cat, Sassie, was looking bad. A quick trip to the vet revealed some health problems. The vet also suggested we groom her ourselves to help comfort her.
Our cats also have their own personal cat bed. I put it in a cozy corner in my office so they can take turns sleeping there whenever I am working. We don’t have a cat tower, but I am thinking of getting one so they can look down on us. They enjoy the safety of high spaces!
Want to know professional tips to help your pet #gethealthyhappy? If you have questions or need advice about any little extra that you’d like to give your pet, a perfect opportunity is at your pet’s annual checkup with your veterinarian.
This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but Simply Southern Mom only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
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I really like their Hill’s® Science Diet®
Adult Gourmet Turkey Entrée. One thing I do is to play often with the cats
i would love to win a kitty goody bag for my babies or if theres only dog ones left i could give one to my dad
The dental chews are the best. My Heidi loves to go on long walks and run around in the back yard. I carry treats for her to be good while on the walks.
We have adopted both dogs and cats! And we volunteer in our local shelter. When my kids get older I want to foster pets,
My puppy likes the Hill’s® Ideal Balance™ Small Breed Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Puppy!
My favorite is the Adult Advanced Fitness! Travel tip, keep them in a cage on the floor board, works for my kitty when we go to the vet!
I love and most want my puppy to try the Breakfast Medleys™ with Country Chicken & Egg – Treats. I think the best tip is to keep them active; walk them often and play with them. My puppy is more hyper than my older two ever were and it is important we walk him and play with him so he uses his energy in a good way.
My favorite Hill’s product is the Adult Advanced Fitness Original-Dry. My favorite tip is to protect your pet when traveling. Carry them in a container.
My dog loves Hills Science Diet Jerky Snacks with Real Chicken
I like the Hill’s® Ideal Balance™
Indoor Natural Chicken & Turkey Recipe Adult
I forgot a tip but I guess that would be to get regular vet visits for your pets
Science diet chicken rice. Make sure they stay active and engaged!
I would want to win for my cat my tip is to keep them up to date on their shots just like your kids and make sure you acknowledge them frequently
My favorite product is the dry Adult Indoor Long Coat food for cats. My tip is to feed your pets healthy and quality food. Keep them happy by rewarding them with treats and showing your love by playing and petting them.
Exercise, play, petting, loving, and talking to them. Remembering that they are not decoration , they are beautiful creatures that deserve love and attention to thrive just like the rest of us. Thank you for the chance to win!
Hill’s Food has special diets for the needy dogs! I try to get my cat to stay inside at night to keep him safe and at home!!!
We love the Hills Science Diet Dog Food for our dog Hollie. She loves it. Thanks for this awesome sweep 🙂
Adult Advanced Fitness Original
My overweight shitzu was placed on the Hill’s Prescription Metabolic Diet food that requires a vet prescription. It is helping her lose weight. I feed her the amount for the weight we want her to be, not for the weight she is. She hasn’t had any problems with bowels or stomach since she went on this Hill’s food and I think it is very good product. It is pricey though so I am glad she is a small dog that a 17lb bag, $52, lasts for awhile.
My Nelson loves the Adult Hills dry cat food. To keep mt baby happy he gets treats every morning, lap time, and play time every night. He also loves being groomed every other day although hew wants to hurry and get it over with because he knows he’ll get treats.
I like the lavender paw gel. Also, it is important to groom your pets to keep them healthy and a bonding experience
Pup likes Adult Advanced Fitness Small Bites. However, we have been investigating the new grain free formulas available. As he advances in age we want to be sure we are keeping up with his changing needs. My pup is fortunate that he has a back yard for exercise and plenty of sidewalks for walks. Also, since we don’t really get extreme weather conditions where we live, he is fortunate to be able to carry on year round.
I would say dental chews. Helps keep our small dogs teeth clean, while they are enjoying their treats.
I’ve never tried their pet food company but it looks like the offer high quality products that would benefit my animals.
My favorite is Crunchy Creations™ Grain Free with Salmon Treats. My tip is to make sure your pet is drinking enough water – and from the right sources! I learned my cat liked drinking out of a cup instead of a bowl.
Our schnauzer loves the adult grain free salmon entree which stopped his hot spots.
Have never used the food but would like to try it.
Our favorite hills science product is the Adult Oral + Canine – Dry Dog Food. The best thing to keep your pet healthy is make sure they are taken to the vet annually or when needed.
I like their Adult Feline Dry Food, but I can’t think of any good tips.
My dogs eat healthy and get plenty of exercise (walks and trips to the dog parks) and fresh water. I don’t remember if I’ve bought Hill’s products. I should look into buying the dental chews.
I would like to try the Adult Hairball Control Light – Dry for my adult cats.
Adult Perfect Weight – Dry. Taking care of them daily.
I prefer Hills Science Diet Indoor formula for my 4 cats.
My cats need Prefect Weight for Cats.
i like the dental chews with veggies. I keep my pets healthy with love, good food, and regular vet appointments.
i like the Adult Advanced Fitness Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe – Dry, and playing outside with my dog makes him healthy, and happy!!
Keeping your pet busy is a great way to keep them healthy
My dogs would love the apple and oatmeal fruIty snacks. The grain free food would be awesome. Food with corn and wheat really upset my older dogs stomach.
I would love to try the Hill’s® Science Diet®/ Adult Hairball Control. I keep my babies healthy with exercise and vitamins. For my cat Robin I play catch 2xevery day and with my dog Batman y give him walks and vitamins 😀
we buy dry Adult Perfect Weight,,for our german shepherds and we keep their automatic feeders full at all times…that way they eat when they are hungry
Hill’s® Science Diet®, Adult Hairball Control is something my one cat needs. She is such a mess:)
To keep them happy….toys. Lots and Lots of little toys.
My dog’s favorite is Adult Grain Free Beef Entrée canned food. My best tip is walk your dog because they get very happy when you do so and it helps keep them healthy.
The Senior dog food, we take our dog for lots of walks and keep him active.
I keep my pets healthy by walking daily. I would like to try the Breakfast Medleys™ with Country Chicken & Egg.
My dog doesn’t have a favorite treat she’s not picky!
I think one of the easiest things people can do is make sure their pets are a healthy weight. Extra weight can take years off a pets life and all it takes is some activity and monitoring of what your pet eats.
My cats like the Hill’s Ideal Balance Indoor Natural Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Food. I keep them healthy and happy by playing with them often, giving them love and attention, giving them treats when they ask (but not too many!)
I take my doggies on several walks a day and let them go wild at the dog park. My girls like the
Dental Chews with Real Vegetables Small – Treats. Thanks!!
In it to win it
I sometimes feed my dog Hill’s Science Diet food for toy/small breeds. My best tip is just to give your pets regular love and attention. Thank you!
I liked the break down of different ages. My one year old and eight year old dogs are on different levels of their lives and I like that they showed that. Thank you
I would choose the Adult Feline Dry Food.
Molly is a very sweet 4 year old Tabby and would Meow all the way to her food bowl if she could win.
The best way for my to keep my dogs Marley and Colby healthy and happy is to give them plenty of exercise, hug and kisses and feed them well.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
My Cats love the Adult Indoor Cat Savory Seafood Entrée – Canned. I make sure my cats get a lot of play time to get their exercise.
I love their dental chews and I always make sure our pets are healthy with yearly exams and vaccinations.
I love the cat feather toys!!! Keeping my cat healthy and happy is treating him as one of the family, well..because he is… 🙂
I like the chicken flavored treats for my cats. I walk around the block every morning and my cats follow me- its good exercise for all of us- its funny too because they know to stay on the sidewalk especially when a car is coming down the street – I think the neighbors think I’m a crazy cat lady
Kathryn C
my cat could use the perfect weight food
the laser pointer! My kitten loves hers, we keep one in each room. (they get lost easily.)
My favorite product is the Hill’s Science Diet Mature Adult Gourmet Beef Entree Canned Dog Food, I have a 9 year old Yorkie and it would be great for her. My tip is to spend plenty of time with your pet and cuddle with them.
Hill sis great. I have a cat and a dog. but the dog eats lots more
I have used Hills Prescription cat food in the past. They carry so many great foods for pets with special diet needs.
My cat loves all of them
The perfect weight food works wonders on my cat.
I’ve never used this brand so cannot pick a favorite product.
I have never used this brand but really like how the website has articles to help you with some commons issues with pets. Also you can find a vet in the area or a shelter right from the site
My tip to keeping our dog healthy is yearly vet visits and lots of walks and love. My favorite hills product is the Adult Advanced Fitness Small Bites – Dry.
i like the dental chews. My tip would be to pay attention, walk and love your pet
My dogs love the Hills Perfect Weight food. It’s great for helping keep their weight in check, which is SO important for small breeds like Dachshunds.
Give Your dog or cat regular exercise /dog chews
I’d to try the Hills pet food. I keep my two cats healthy by feeding them food made with meat instead of corn or by-product.
I’ve never used this brand, but I’d like to try and give it to my pets! Play with your pets! The activity gets them exercise and it helps get out nervous energy.
What a cute cat i Haven’t use this brand before but my cat like all cat treats
My dogs like the Dental Chews with Real Vegetables and they are large dogs. Too keep my dogs healthy and happy, we exercise, feed them healthy treats and food and we brush their teeth.
My dog eats Ideal balance Perfect wight right now. I’d like to try: Chewy Naturals with Real Chicken – Treats.
my kitty loves the chicken flavored treats.
This Rocks!
My favorite is Adult Advanced Fitness Original – Dry, and we like to go for walks and play every day.
My favorite Hill’s Pet product is the Hill’s® Ideal Balance™ Active Natural Chicken & Oats Recipe Adult dry food. We try to make sure our active Jack Russell Terrier get good nutrition and lots of exercise to keep him at his healthiest.
The dental chews are good. Keep up on your pet’s routine visits.
We use their dog food all the time and it is well trusted. We like to go hiking with the dogs and keep them active and healthy
We like to keep our Chihuahua active and moving around.
Hill’s Renal Health prescription food extended the life of our Mr T. My tip is that no cat should be an indoor/outdoor cat. Indoor only is the way to go for your pets.
I like the Adult Hairball Control Savory Seafood Entrée – Canned (Since our oldest kitty gets hairballs from time to time.)
My tip to having a kitty happy and healthy is to make sure to be vigilant when they aren’t acting themselves. You never know what could be causing it. Oh yeah, and snuggling doesn’t hurt, either.
My kittens love the Hill’s® Science Diet® Kitten Liver & Chicken Entrée, lots of love = healthy happy cat.
I love the Hills dry dog food for my smaller pup.. I think daily walks, plenty of attention and play time will keep dogs happy.
I love teh dog food esp for older dogs! This would be an awesome treat for my old lady!
What a beautiful cat. I would choose for dog. We have one dog named Denali
We love their dental chews. They are really good for our dog.
The Ideal Balance would be perfect for all my cats. I think quality food is a must for a happy healthy pet!
I like the Dental Chews with Real Vegetables.
I think it’s key that you exercise your pet regularly. If they only sleep and eat, they’re not going to be a happy pet. I’ve noticed that my dog actually looks forward to his daily walks and it also gives me exercise. My favorite Hills Pet item would have to be the Fruity Snacks with Apples and Oatmeal–my puppy goes crazy for them!
We use Adult Indoor – Dry food From Hills for our 2 rescue cats. It is a grain free formula that the cats enjoy.
I like Hill’s Healthy Advantage and my best tip is to keep you dog just the right weight because just like being underweight being over weight is also now healthy for your pet.
My best tip is to regularly exercise your dog! I would love to have the Hill’s® Science Diet®
Adult Advanced Fitness Small Bites Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
My favorite is the Ideal Balance for dogs. I keep my dog healthy by taking her on daily walks.
My favorite Hills Science product is the Perfect Weight. We keep our kitty fit by have play time every day, healthy diet and a lot of love.
My favorite Hill’s product is Ideal Balance for dogs. I feed my dogs chicken and brown rice.
my kittys have never tried hills ,but i feed them a healthy diet and few treats here and there and lots of love
I like their prescription diets for special needs pets. My best tip is to be your own advocate for your pets health. Find a great vet, that will listen and get to understand you and your pet. When major health issues arise, get a second opinion.
I like the Oven-Baked Naturals with Chicken & Apples – Treats. We take our dogs hiking to keep them happy.
I would love to have the Jerky Snacks with Real Chicken for my dogboy. We try to keep him healthy by giving him lots of walks and playtime everyday.
I am trying to help my cat loose weight by feeding him the new Metabolic cat food
That is also my favorite Hills Product, along with the Metabolic Treats
Our guys love the Perfect Weight food. To stay healthy, we get plenty of exercise.
Aww, I used to have a cat when I was a child that looked just like yours. I want a cat now!
I have to say I have never tried Hill’s Science Dog Food, but any small dog adult formula would be my choice.My dog is not too picky thankfully.
My favorite Hills product is the Hill’s Science Diet Mature Adult Gourmet Beef Entree Canned Dog Food. To keep my dog healthy we exercise every day – usually at the dog park.
We love their dental chews!! I try to keep my dogs teeth clean to help keep her healthier!
I do not own a cat…this would be donated to a friend who feeds feral cats.
Aww, what an adorable cat. Our pets are like our children as well.
Ha ha your cat sounds like my youngest child! I think choosing the right food for your pet and making sure they are getting plenty of exercise are the best things you can do for them!
It totally makes sense to me that choosing natural healthy foods would make your pets happier and healthier too. What a beautiful cat you have!
Awe so sweet! What a cute kitty and great giveaway, I would enter but my cat passed away.
Gorgeous cat.
Awe, your little ones are so cute. We have a pup and I feel like her things have almost taken over the house, ha! She has more toys than the kids… and a bed in almost every room
Your kitties are super cute! We have 2 outside kitties.
I’ve never used this brand, so I don’t have a favorite. My tip for a happy cat is catnip!
What a great giveaway! It’s nice to see the pets getting some swag!
What a cute kitty, you will definitely have healthy and happy pets when you opt for Hills. I may be a dog owner soon, so I will keep these in mind.
I love this post. Most people don’t realize that you have to feed your dogs good food for good health. They’re just like humans. They have to eat well to stay well.
My vet recommends Science Diet all the time. She loves it. I love this giveaway. I’ve got three dogs, so I can definitely use $100.00 towards a vet bill.
Your cat is adorable. Absolutely adorable. We love using the Hills treats with our dogs. They love them and I like that they are good for them.
These are great tips! My Mom used to have cats and they loved their scratching posts. I have two dogs and am very careful to read the labels on their food and treats.
My vet game my dog this food before as she loved it. I have a small dog who is allergic to a lot of the store brand foods. I went to the site and saw her food.Hill’s Science Diet Mature Adult Gourmet Turkey Entree Canned Dog Food. She loves this is it is so much healthier for her. She is doing great and I highly recommend Hill’s to anyone.
My dogs and cats love Hill’s food and treats, and I feel good feeding it to them. I’ve bought a number of their products over the years, but right now have my chubby Treeing Walker Coonhound girl, Kyoko, on their Adult Perfect Weight – Dry. As for keeping my pets healthy, first and foremost, I make sure they have plenty of clean water, healthy food, exercise, and keep them UTD on shots (including being tested for heartworm yearly and on the preventative all year long).
my tip is that I keep my animals inside and the dog only goes out to go potty,,we keep them away from other animals as much as possible,,the dog and cat play with each other and get along really well even though the cat is 4 times bigger than the 5 lb dog I like the Adult Indoor Long Coat – Dry
I went to their site and I like the Science Diet Dry Kitten Food. My best tip for keeping your pet healthy is make sure they get their shots at the Vet, good food and lots of play time and love.
I can picture you yelling “who wants treatsies?” That’s so stinkin’ cute. I know you take fabulous care of your cats!
The best tip I have is to get your pet out, walk them and have fun. You both will enjoy it! You cat is adorable!
My best tip is to engage with your pt daily so you both get some exercise! We’d love to win Hills IDeal Balance Dry for Cats!
Hills is a great pet food company. Their food is really high quality. My vet recommends it all the time.
All the toys on Hills are great. Keeping your pet busy is a great way to keep them healthy.
They have a great variety of products. I like the Adult Feline Dry Food.
Great tips for a healthy, happy pet! Love the giveaway and entered! Dental Chews are the best for keeping my puppy’s teeth and gums healthy! 🙂
We have a friend that we are helping to watch their pets and they are using Hills Science Diet. They are really particular about having the best for their pets. My son really wants pets, but due to allergies, we can’t have them, but luckily he is able to help take care of pets for friends.
I know it can’t be Okie but there is a cat that has been hanging out in our property with the same color pattern. I have seen it run away a few times when I take the girls into their yard for some fresh air.
I have heard such good things about Hills Science Diet. I really need to pick some up for Milo.
Love the hills pet food. Nice to know you are helping your pet stay healthy. I encourage play with toys for my two cats…they love to chase strings!
I would love to have the Perfect weight food for my kitties from Hills! My tip for keeping pets healthy is to always make sure they are hydrated and have fresh food and water!
I would love a doggie goody bag from hills.