Feline New Year's Resolutions For Kittens, Cats & Owners: How To Ensure You Have A Happy New Year Cat
Will microchipping my feline friend ensure I have a happy new year cat?
We’ve all heard the phrase which alludes to the fact that a cat and its curiosity are not a good mix. Whilst many cats are reluctant to leave the warmth and comfort of their homes over the winter months, others will wander, exploring for miles at a time.
Micro-chipping provides a safety net, should your cat stray, and be unable to find his/her way home.
Additionally, the government department DEFRA ( Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has announced that in 2023, it will become law that all cats in the UK aged over 20 weeks of age MUST be microchipped, and failure to do so may result in a £500 fine.
Will insuring my feline friend ensure I have a happy new year cat?
Veterinary bills can be unexpected and expensive, and depending upon the tests/treatment your cat needs should he or she become poorly or have an accident, for example, bills can run into thousands of pounds. Pet insurance is there to protect your cat against any illness or injury they may suffer from. It provides peace of mind knowing that the majority of costs should be covered by a decent insurance policy.
Will feeding my feline friend healthier food ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
When your cat is a healthy weight, its quality of life improves which in turn extends longevity. Feeding healthier foods ( lower in fat and calorie contents and higher in fibre) can help enable your cat to be more playful and active, improving mental alertness along the way and thus help to maintain a healthy weight and exercise levels. Conditions such as diabetes are less likely to occur in cats of a healthy weight and fed a healthy diet. Similarly, cholesterol levels will be lower hence helping to protect the condition of your cat’s heart, maximising lifespan.
Will giving my feline friend healthier treats ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Feeding healthier treats is a great way of getting the new year off to a healthier start for your cat. The sooner a healthier diet is adopted, the more you will witness the beneficial effects in your cat such as weight loss if needed, the prevention of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes ( and even the reversal of this condition if previously diagnosed), along with increased activity and mental alertness.
Instilling good feeding behaviours will help to keep your cat at its ideal body weight, and prevent begging/mewing for more food!
Also, ensure that if you do give any treats, they are taken into account in the daily food allowance for your cat.
Will keeping my feline friend well hydrated ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Keeping your cat well watered is essential to its health and survival. Cats originated as desert creatures, and have evolved to survive on very little water, with the ability to concentrate their urine to a high degree. This means that they don’t always drink when they need to, making them susceptible to dehydration.
The high concentration of urine means that cats are more prone to developing urinary stones and crystals ( calculi).
A cat requires water to survive. Water lubricates joints, helps to regulate the circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems and helps to maintain body temperature. Water is vital to the urinary system too, to help flush out waste products and toxins.
Dehydration occurs when a cat loses fluids at a faster rate than it can take them in. Potential causes include diabetes, kidney disease and vomiting and diarrhoea. Older cats, kittens, and those cats with pre-existing medical conditions such as kidney failure, are more prone to developing dehydration.
Signs of dehydration include tenting of the skin, sunkenness of the eyes, lack of appetite, lethargy and tacky or dry gums.
If you suspect your cat is suffering from dehydration, a visit to the vet for fluid therapy, sooner rather than later, is essential. Mild cases may be treated by injecting fluids subcutaneously (under the skin), whilst more severe cases will require admittance into the hospital for intravenous fluid therapy - a “drip”. Blood tests may also be recommended to assess how the kidneys are functioning, and urine samples will determine the presence of any calculi, for example, and any further necessary treatment instigated.
Will getting my feline friend a new bed ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Sleeping is one of the cat’s main priorities! They actually spend two-thirds of their life asleep!! For this reason, investing in a comfortable, practical bed is sensible, and also discourages them from sleeping in places you would prefer they didn’t, such as on your own bed. This is particularly important if you suffer from asthma or pet allergies.
A decent comfy bed also helps with a routine for your cat, for they know where to find a safe space for resting and seclusion if desired. It also means that should you move house, it provides familiarity and is a good way for the cat to feel there hasn’t been a massive change.
Will buying my feline friend toys ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
One of the main reasons for cats gaining excessive weight, and hence being more prone to developing joint problems, and diabetes, for example, is boredom. This becomes a vicious cycle as the more overweight a cat becomes, the less likely he or she is going to want to be active, and hence the weight accumulates even more. Mental stimulation is also impacted.
A variety of cat toys to engage your cat in different styles of play is considered to be very important and hence strongly recommended. This is particularly the case with indoor cats to try and minimise restlessness and provides them with the opportunity to play out natural instincts such as play pouncing/pretend hunting, climbing, and scratching with the aid of scratching posts or boards, and also means that they are less likely to become hyperactive at night, scratch at unwanted surfaces or play aggressively.
Will taking my feline friend out for activities ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Kittens or cats who go outdoors instinctively roam, hunt, climb and explore - helping them to keep fit in the process!
However, more and more cats these days are kept as indoor cats - perhaps because they live in flats or apartments, or because of our fears for them with the levels of traffic on the roads, or perhaps because they have been diagnosed with conditions such as Feline Leukaemia Virus which means they should not be mixing with other cats.
Such indoor cats can benefit hugely from being taken outdoors, and many are often successfully trained to walk on a lead or harness - this is especially helpful if you have concerns about them getting spooked and fleeing. Additionally, this allows them to successfully maintain muscle tone and joint flexibility, and therefore helps to improve health and therefore their quality of life.
It is recommended that cats have at least two sets of 20-minute exercise sessions a day, to help maintain fitness and a healthy weight.
Will getting a good exercise routine set up for my feline friend ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
The vast majority of cats are creatures of habit and like their routines. It is recommended that cats have at least two sets of 20-minute exercise sessions a day, to help maintain fitness and a healthy weight. Building this into a daily routine, at pretty much consistent times of day, will help to achieve that.
Will taking my feline friend out for runs ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Whilst most dogs adore accompanying their owners in the car, this is not so much the case with cats, who tend to be real homebodies, and like their familiar surroundings.
Never travel with a cat loose in the car, it is not safe, and they could potentially escape from a window or sunroof, etc.
They should be secured in a good quality cat carrier, which allows them to hide away, as necessary, so plenty of blankets/towels, etc for bedding, and it should also allow good ventilation.
Using products such as Feliway or Rescue Remedy can help to alleviate the stress associated with travelling.
Will taking my feline friend out to explore new surroundings ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Not necessarily. Many cats are territorial and like their routine and familiar surroundings. Cats introduced, albeit temporarily, to new environments may start fighting as they attempt to sort out pecking orders etc.
If you move to a new property, and your cat is to go outdoors, always let him or her out on an empty tummy, as they are more likely to come home for food when they get hungry, and always accompany them outside, to begin with - little and often is the key, until they become familiar with their immediate new surroundings.
Will taking my feline friend to a cat restaurant ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
A cat cafe or restaurant is a theme cafe whose attraction is cats to be played with and watched. The term “cat cafe” has been in the Oxford English Dictionary since 2015! The concept was developed in Japan where many residents live in small apartments which do not allow pets, and so many venues offered a popular destination for youngsters to meet up and socialise.
There is some disagreement in the UK regarding their suitability as an environment for cats. The major charities such as the RSPCA and Cats Protection are critical, citing the keeping of large numbers of cats in confined spaces, with a constantly changing population of people, as unnatural, whereas other bodies state that “ it is a difficult environment to get right but not impossible by any means”. All charities agree that the cafes/restaurants need to be properly regulated, however.
Will teaching my feline friend new tricks ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Many cats already perform tricks, perhaps without you realising. For example, coming to you when you call their name, or “sitting pretty” whilst waiting to be fed.
Teaching cats new tricks can develop the bond between them and their owner, and is likely to involve a degree of playfulness/activity, thus helping to keep the mind and body active. Cats learn a lot from establishing routines so teaching new tricks is simply a matter of adding to the existing routine.
Will taking my feline friend on kitty playdates ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Playdates can help young kittens to learn how to interact with other cats, and even some older cats will enjoy the company of a fellow moggy from time to time, particularly if at home, they are an “only cat”.
Cats who aren’t socialised might be timid or aggressive and can have difficulty living with or meeting fellow cats or other pets and humans.
Whilst it's best to start socialisation early in life ( for kittens, that’s between 2 and 7 weeks of age), most kittens are not adopted until they are at least 8 weeks of age, and remember that at this age, they will not be fully vaccinated so should most definitely be mixing with other cats/kittens who are themselves not fully vaccinated.
Once full vaccination immunity is on-board ( usually 1-2 weeks post 2nd vaccination), then plans can be made for our feline friends to be introduced to each other in a neutral space, and very gradually. Personalities should be matched and behaviour observed. Any fighting should be broken up immediately, and an alternative playmate found.
Will introducing my feline friend to other cats ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
This very much depends upon the character of the individual cat. Some cats are very solitary, or timid and will hide away from other cats even in the same household, and these cats often suffer from FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) which is often stress-related. Others, however, are extremely sociable and adore the company of fellow felines. Quite simply, you won’t know until you try and introduce them to each other. Pheromone devices such as Adaptil can help in these situations to relieve tensions. Hiding places should always be made available as necessary.
Will cleaning my feline friend's teeth ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Brushing your cat’s teeth regularly is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Almost 90% of cats develop dental problems at some point in their lives, according to Hills Pet Nutrition.
As a carnivore (meat eaters) cats require strong, clean, sharp teeth. Without routine brushing of teeth, plaque will build up, developing into tartar causing gingivitis. Approximately 70% of cats develop some degree of periodontal disease by the age of two years (Hills).
Get your cat used to having its teeth brushed from a young age. Little and often is the key here. Flavoured toothpastes such as chicken are available to try and make the episodes more pleasant for both of you! Special cat toothbrushes or over-finger toothbrush heads should be used, as these are the correct size for a cat's mouth. Enzymatic toothpastes can help to break down residues of plaque. Oral rinses/gels and dental dry foods can also be used to help with dental issues or to try and deter them from occurring in the first place.
Will getting a good grooming routine set up for my feline friend ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Cats are known to be fastidiously clean animals, and they can get rather distressed, in old age for example, when physically they are no longer able to groom themselves. For this reason, start by getting your cat into a twice-weekly brushing routine early on. Many cats adore such pampering sessions, but not all so you have been warned! For those reluctant individuals, I often recommend a warm damp flannel - simply wipe it over the coat of your cat, and it acts like a giant tongue, helping to remove dead fur and thus helping to prevent matted hair from developing.
Will spending more time with my feline friend ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
Spending time with your furry feline friend is essential to developing a strong bond with your cat. This will allow you to discover the remarkably different individual personalities of your cats, and find out what makes them tick.
Several breeds such as Bengals are known to bond with just one human, in particular, so don’t be offended if it’s not you! It’s just in their character, so persevere…
Will taking my feline friend to the vet ensure that I have a happy new year cat?
At the very least, annual vaccination appointments with a vet are strongly recommended. This is a chance for your cat to have a complete head-to-toe check over, discuss preventative flea and worm treatment, check microchip details, check their weight, diet etc, and any niggling concerns that can be addressed.
Your cat may not appreciate this at the time….but they shall do in the long run!!
Sources
https://www.rover.com/blog/new-year-resolutions-for-cat/
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/new-years-resolutions-cats-make
https://wagwalking.com/daily/new-years-resolution-ideas-for-cats
https://www.pawtracks.com/cats/cat-new-years-resolutions/
https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/7-new-years-resolutions-to-make-for-your-cat
https://www.cathealth.com/behavior/playing/2559-cat-inspired-new-year-s-resolutions
