Top Cat-Friendly Resolutions for a New Year

Cats are at their very best when they are just being cats. They are each unique individuals and I will accept the fact that Billy is a "man's cat," Joey is shy and needs lots of encouragement, and Jaspurr, alpha cat that he is, has an entirely different personality than either of his housemates. That's the way it should be, and they accept me as the one who provides their sustenance and as many purrs as she can elicit.

Cat-proofing a home is not a one-time event, but should become an automatic habit, to be practiced daily. Too often in the past year, I have found a rubber band lying on the floor, or a sharp knife left carelessly on the counter or in the sink, as I did just yesterday. I'll practice what I preach and put my Habits to Practice for a Cat-Safe Home to use every day, and insist that the other human members of our home do likewise.

I know that food is an important key to the continued good health of my cats, and I will not stint on it. We are very fortunate to have a household income that allows me to feed my cats the very best foods. I've learned to read cat food labels, and I am ruthless at scorning commercial foods that are less than perfect. If finances should change, I'll practice judicious compromises in my cats' food as a last resort.

Litter box maintenance is a never-ending chore, and I've left the brunt of it for my son to handle, which he usually does quite capably and willingly. I'm going to carry my own share of the job more frequently, so my cats won't be forced to tiptoe in soiled boxes. I'll start today, using my Litter Box Maintenance Tutorial as a guideline.

I haven't yet erred by being cautious, and I will continue my resolve to seek veterinary counsel whenever I have doubts about the health conditions of any of my cats. They depend on me for their health care, and I won't ever let them down.

Bubba, pictured here, took many trips to the vet during his life, especially during the last two years. They were either routine followup appointments for his hyperthyroidism, or wild emergency trips, but each of them was necessary.

My own criteria for When to Call the Vet is a sound one, and I'll continue to follow it.

My cats have one each of the most popular automated water fountains, but I still catch them sometimes drinking out of the sink. This year we'll add another automated fountain upstairs so they'll have fresh water available everywhere they happen to be.

We'll be more careful about cleaning them too, and replacing worn motors when necessary.

Cats are habitual creatures and love to have a playtime set aside every day at the same time. I'll rearrange my busy schedule to make sure that I'm included in that play. Play time is bonding time, just as much as lap and cuddle time, and the cats look forward to it.

It's probably a good time to invest in another Da Bird, too. They particularly like the lifelike flight of that toy, and it's a good way for me to be involved in their play.

Our cats are all extremely inquisitive. Billy, especially, seems to have superior intellect. He sits quietly in a corner and watches and observes everything that goes on around him, earning him the title of "little watcher cat." Billy was especially quick to figure out the maze presented by the Peek-a-Prize Toy Box. I'll be on the lookout this year for similar toys that will challenge his intellect and abilities.

I need a daily cuddling session with each of my cats. My cats need it too, even if a couple of them don't quite "get it" yet. I'll try the Scoop and Snuggle technique, described by Colleen Patrick, and we'll all make cuddling a daily practice.

I'll get plenty more practice with my little adopted outdoor stray, Jenny, until I can make her my indoor girl.