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Cat Care

Cat New Year’s Resolutions

cute cat

In 2012, I will…

  • Eat healthier
  • Get in shape
  • Manage my stress level
  • Spend more time with my family
  • Learn something new

Your cat can’t keep these resolutions alone – you need to help!

Eat healthier: Many cats need a particular type of diet to lose weight, stop itching, have normal stools, not vomit, etc. In general, a healthy diet for cats has more protein and less carbohydrate. Ask us for recommendations on the best food for your cat. Also, how much and how often you feed your cat can make a big difference.

Get in shape: Since it’s pretty hard to get a cat on a treadmill, convincing your cat to exercise generally means playing. For indoor cats, playing is a substitute for hunting. Toys that cats like to stalk, chase, and pounce on will get them moving. You may have to try different toys to find what your cat likes – laser pointer, fishing pole toy, crumpled ball of paper, catnip, empty box, and fake mice are a few options. Get cheap toys that you can switch out frequently – because cats get bored!

Manage my stress level: It may seem like they have the most undemanding life possible, but cats have stress. And a stressed-out cat usually has problems that are not too fun to live with, such as urinating on your new rug. Check out http://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/ for information on what stresses cats out and how to make things better.

Spend more time with my family: Cats may seem aloof, but relationships with their favorite humans are very important to them. Bored and lonely cats can develop some very un-loveable behavior problems. Keep your relationship with your cat going strong by spending 5 to 10 minutes a day doing something interactive that your cat likes – playing with a favorite toy or having a grooming session with the Furminator.

Learn something new: Maybe old dogs can’t learn new tricks, but cats really can learn new things. It just takes the right rewards, and letting the cat think the change was their idea. (Good luck trying to force a cat to do anything.) Some new things your cat could learn: that the cat carrier is not a sign of the apocalypse, that the scratching post is the place to exercise his claws, that nighttime is not playtime, how to walk on a leash, or even how to do tricks like “sit up” and coming when called. Ask us for information about how to train your cat – it really is possible and can make 2011 your cat’s best year ever.