I bet a lot of you humans out there are making New Year’s resolutions. But you know who isn’t making any? Your cat! Of course, your cat doesn’t have to make any resolutions because they are perfect. But I bet their life could be better, even if you think you’ve given them the best life possible.
I’m going to stretch your mind a little bit here with some suggestions that will make 2024 your cat’s best year ever! These are resolutions you will want to keep, unlike the diet and exercise ones that you’ll be ditching by Valentine’s Day. These suggestions will deepen your bond with your cat and keep them healthy and happy year round.
Examine what you are currently feeding your cat and see if you can improve on it. Diet is the first line of defense when it comes to longterm wellness. What you feed your cat today will affect their quality of life five years or a decade from now. Make sure you are giving your cat the highest quality of high protein food you can fit into your budget. Favor canned or even raw food over dry (unless it is freeze dried raw — that’s good). And give your cat a variety of different proteins to both engage their palate and offer better nutrient value.
Same with treats — the higher quality and fewer ingredients, the better. I know the cheap, highly processed treats are popular among kitties. (Even I like them!) But like human junk food, they aren’t good for daily consumption. Most often, I get freeze dried chicken. And to be honest, I like that better than most of the junk food treats anyway.
A lot of times, all the “cat’s stuff” will be focused on, or even confined to one room. And while it’s nice for a cat to have their own play space, they live in the whole house, just like you do. So look around each room and see how you can make it more inviting for your cat. Is there a space where you can put a cat bed or scratcher? Are there windows with views where you can add a perch? Can you add a flannel or other soft blanket to some furniture? Your cat should feel at home in every room of their (and your) home.
This is especially important if you haven’t brought your cat to the veterinary clinic in several years. So many people only bring their cats to the clinic when they are unwell, which means the vet only has the cat’s stats when they are sick. A wellness check means that your veterinarian has a record of their vitals to use as a gauge if your cat does get sick, and having them done yearly can show changes over time. This is one of the best investments you can make for your cat’s health.
Cats are masters at hiding illness, and doing body exams and weight checks help you keep tabs of anything that’s going on with them. You can ask your vet what to watch for during that wellness visit. It’s pretty easy to examine their body gently during snuggle time or a grooming session. And weight checks are even easier — weigh yourself first, then pick up your cat and weigh the both of you. Keep a record of the difference.
Not all cats like being groomed. But if it is at all possible, do a weekly brushing or combing session with them. (Fluffly longhairs may need it every couple of days.) Run a flea comb over them to make sure they haven’t somehow picked up an unwanted guest or two (even indoor only cats can get fleas). Grooming is one of the ways you get a chance to do a body check on your cat to see if anything is going on with them.
Grooming does feel good to most cats, and sometimes those that have issues with it just hate being constrained. My human used to follow Boodie around the enclosed patio with a brush — the point was to get it done without having to hold her still. Chances are you can get it done if you think creatively.
Almost everyone with a cat can improve something about their litter boxes. If all the litter boxes are located together in an out of the way part of the basement, for example, that could definitely use improvement! Litter boxes should be easily available on each floor of the house, and not grouped together. But a good litter box situation goes beyond that — check out how your cat uses the litter box. Do they seem happy with the litter, or are they pawing at it unhappily and escaping from the box as soon as they’ve done their business? If you have a larger cat, is the litter box big enough to be comfortable for them? Do they pee standing? Maybe you should get a litter box with higher sides. Are you scooping at least daily? (Multiple cats, or cats with medical problems need even more frequent scooping.)
Things like litter texture, the size and shape of the litter box, and the placement of the boxes are all very important to your cat! The more pleasant you can make the area they relieve themselves, the less chances you will have of something going wrong. You’d like a nice bathroom, wouldn’t you? So would your cat.
Cats thrive on interactive playtime. And most have their favorite types of toys. You probably already know what those are, but really take a look at the toys your cat is most enthusiastic about. Maybe you should get some more of those. And schedule in a few minutes of daily play with your cat. It will improve their condition, their attitude, and their relationship with you.
I’ve said before how much cats love routines. So see if you can establish some new, fun ones in 2024. I’ve already suggested regular playtimes. How about treat times, and a bedtime routine? Your cat would appreciate all of those!
If you are doing the above, congratulations! You’ve aced this.
Happy 2024 to you and your cats! I hope you found these suggestions useful. Which ones are you going to focus on…and which ones you are already doing? Let’s discuss it in the comments.
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