6 Cat-Friendly New Year's Resolutions to Improve Your Feline's Life

Learn what resolutions you can make in the new year to improve your furry feline's life!

by Jasmine Nunley

1/1/20246 min read

a cat laying in front of a happy new year sign

We frequently set new goals for ourselves at the beginning of the year. Perhaps it’s to exercise more, stop smoking, or lose weight. Whatever it is, I’m sure you've never considered including your cat at the center of any New Year’s resolutions. However, there are many ways you can commit to giving your cat a happier and healthier life in the coming year.

Get your cat in shape

If you have a food-loving cat like I do, you know how hard this one can be, and once your cat has put on weight, it’s much harder to get them to lose it. While it isn’t an easy resolution, it may be the best way to ensure your cat has a healthier future. Obesity is the leading cause of preventable death in cats, and even a couple of extra pounds is enough to increase the risk of weight-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more.

A good way to check if your cat is a healthy weight is by feeling their ribs. When you pet their sides, you should be able to slightly feel their ribs, similar to how your knuckles feel when your hand is flat. The best way to check your cat's weight, though, is to schedule a visit with your veterinarian. They can help you determine what weight is healthiest for your individual cat as well as suggest diets to help them shed some pounds if needed. It should be noted that you should never put your cat on a diet without talking to your veterinarian. Cats are much different than humans or dogs, and their bodies cannot support rapid weight loss.

Commit to daily litter box cleaning

a person scooping cat litter while cat watches

Scooping the litter is no one’s favorite chore, but your cat's health and happiness depend on it. Cats greatly value cleanliness, and if they don’t have a clean litter box, they may hold it in or eliminate themselves in unwanted areas. Holding it in may lead to kidney issues, and no one likes it when their cat decides to use the carpet as a bathroom! Some cats may be especially picky about their litter; my cat Mavis, for example, will leave a stinky surprise on my carpet if I even skip one day of litter cleaning. Cleaning the litter box also gives you a great opportunity to spot early signs of illness, such as diarrhea, hard stools, or blood.

A common question people have is how often they have to clean the litter box. While none of us like hearing it, the answer is at least once a day, more if needed. You should ensure you have one litter box per cat plus one, so even if you only have one cat, you should have two litter boxes. This gives you cat options to choose from and helps avoid territorial behavior in multi-cat households. Since you should ideally replace your litter box annually, buying new boxes is a great way to start the new year off fresh for your cat (and your litter-cleaning habits). Also, remember that you should scrub down litter boxes and fill them with fresh litter monthly.

Stay on top of preventative care

Cats are masters of hiding injury or illness, which is why it’s so important to stay on top of preventative care by taking them to the vet for an annual wellness exam. This visit can allow your vet to spot early signs of illness and treat them sooner. It’s also important to keep your cat up-to-date on their vaccinations and provide a monthly flea and tick control regimen.

While you may assume that since your cat is indoor-only, you can skip out on vaccinations or flea and tick medication, this simply isn’t the case. New cats you adopt can bring in illnesses that vaccinations can protect your cat from, and fleas and ticks can catch rides on our clothing and make their way indoors. Give your cat the best protection possible this year by talking to your veterinarian about preventative care measures.

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Get your cat microchipped

a black and white cat having its microchip scanned

A microchip is a small computerized chip that stores an ID number that is linked to information such as your name, address, and contact information. Should your cat become lost and then be found by a shelter or taken to a veterinarian, they can scan the microchip and get in contact with you to reunite you with your cat.

Microchipping your cat is relatively low-cost and well worth it should your cat ever become lost. My local shelter offers it for $20; however, it may cost closer to $50-$70 at some locations. Whether your cat is inside only or goes outdoors, a microchip gives them the best chance of finding their way home if ever lost, and it is another great way to protect your cat in the coming year.

Provide plenty of cat enrichment

Cats need plenty of enrichment to stimulate them mentally and keep them physically healthy. Many people don’t realize that cats have only been domesticated for about 11,000 years, compared to dogs at 20,000, and are still very similar to their wild ancestors. They are natural predators with a drive to hunt, and as it is safer for them indoors, it is up to us to provide the enrichment they need.

One of the easiest forms of cat enrichment is cat toys. Always be sure that the toys you give them are cat-safe. You can also rotate toys out to keep things new and exciting. Provide even more enrichment by getting them scratching pads or poles. Scratching is a natural way cats shed nail sheaths and mark their territory, and if you don’t provide them with something you want them to scratch, they’re sure to scratch your couch instead! Large cat trees are also great for enrichment because they often have scratching poles and also provide high perches for your cat to look out from. Keep your cat from being bored in the new year by investing in some enrichment to stimulate their natural cat behavior.

Brush up on your cat knowledge

How well do you really know what your cat is trying to tell you? What do cats' whiskers really do? Why do cats dislike water so much? There are so many interesting cat facts out there to learn! Did you know cats have scent glands on their ears, under their chin, on both cheeks, on their rear and back, and all their paw pads? Or how about the fact that cats are actually farsighted and struggle to see things closer than a foot from them? A great resolution to make in the new year is to learn more about these tiny panthers we share our home with.

There are tons of great books and other resources available if you want to learn more about your cat, but I want to start you off with a few good recommendations. Jackson Galaxy is a cat behaviorist with many books and a YouTube channel. He offers great solutions for common behavior problems. I’m currently reading his book Total Cat Mojo and really enjoying it. Another great book to check out is Decoding Your Cat, which was written by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. It covers all kinds of cat-related topics, such as how to understand behavioral changes, how to introduce new kittens or cats, and how to help your cat live a longer and fuller life.

With the New Year, we are presented with a great opportunity to make resolutions for not only ourselves but for our furry felines as well. I hope this has given you some ideas on how you can help your cat have the happiest and healthiest year yet. If you give any of these a try, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment or send me an email. Also, feel free to reach out through any of my social media accounts. Happy New Year, everyone!