Cats and Birds | Helping Cats
New Year Resolutions for Cat Owners
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to focus on improving the lives of our feline family members while also supporting the health of the natural environment around us. Cats bring us so much joy, and small changes can significantly enhance their well-being. By following these practices and ensuring an indoor or supervised outdoor lifestyle for cats, you protect your companions from outdoor danger and protect the wildlife from cat predation.
Let's Explore 10 Tips to Make Your Cat's Life Jolly
1. Indoor enrichment
Cats are natural explorers, climbers, and hunters, thriving in stimulating spaces. Adding or refurbishing climbing trees, interactive toys, or a cozy perch by a window can keep your indoor cat entertained and enriched. Rotate toys regularly and introduce new textures, sounds, and scents to mimic the stimulation they might find outdoors—without the risks to themselves or local wildlife.
2. Catch up on vet visits
Even healthy cats need routine check-ups to stay in top shape. Regular visits ensure vaccinations, dental care, and health screenings are up to date. For outdoor or partially outdoor cats, this is especially important to prevent the spread of diseases that can affect other cats and wildlife. Veterinarians strongly recommend an indoor lifestyle for cats to ensure they are healthy and safe. Did you know that indoor cats can live up to 15-20 years, whereas the lifespan of outdoor cats averages only 2-4 years?
3. Transition from outdoor lifestyle to safer options
Outdoor adventures don’t have to come with risks! Catios (secure outdoor enclosures), cat-proof yards, leash walking or supervised visits allow cats to safely experience nature without endangering themselves or local wildlife. These options reduce the likelihood of injury, disease, or predation while protecting birds and other small animals in your community.
Okanagan residents can check out a local company that builds custom catios and cat-proof yards – Catabitat.
4. Commit to better nutrition and food enrichment
Proper nutrition keeps your cat healthy and happy. Talk to your vet about food options tailored to their age, weight, and lifestyle. Adding variety—like a spoonful of canned food or the use of puzzle feeders—can provide both physical nourishment and mental stimulation, reducing the instinct to hunt outdoors.
5. Focus on more playtime
Interactive playtime is essential for your cat’s mental and physical health. Simulating hunting behaviors with wand toys, laser pointers, or feather teasers for 15–20 minutes daily satisfies their natural instincts. This not only strengthens your bond but also reduces the desire for outdoor hunting, helping to protect local bird populations.
6. Stick to a better litterbox routine
A clean litterbox is vital for your cat’s health and comfort. Scoop daily and deep-clean weekly to prevent litterbox avoidance and stress. Consider moving the litter box in a more private space if your cat is reluctant to use it. Keeping your cat happy indoors with a tidy, welcoming litterbox makes it less likely for cats to develop adverse behaviours (house soiling) and be more content at home.
7. More frequent grooming & nail care
Regular grooming prevents excessive shedding and hairballs, while nail trims keep your cat comfortable and prevent damage to furniture. Ensuring your cat is well-groomed reduces stress and encourages them to stay indoors, where they’re safer and happier.
8. Update microchip & identification
If your cat ever escapes, updated identification can make all the difference in reuniting quickly. Microchips and tags help keep pets safe and ensure they don’t become long-term threats to local ecosystems if they are lost or become feral.
9. Prioritize quality time together
Cats thrive on connection with their humans. Spend time daily enjoying your cat’s company—whether that’s snuggling, playing, or simply sitting together. Strengthening your bond reminds your cat how loved they are, making them feel secure and happy in an indoor or supervised outdoor lifestyle. Consider adopting another pet to keep each other company when you are not home.
10. Support local cat shelters and welfare programs
Show your love for cats and nature by supporting shelters and conservation efforts. Donate funds, bedding, towels, toys, or your time to help cats in need and raise awareness about the importance of indoor lifestyles for reducing wildlife predation.
Check out local humane societies, cat rescues, rehabilitation and rehoming organizations to help spread love and compassion! Examples of Okanagan-based cat rescues are linked here.
Start the Year with Pawsitive Changes
New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for us—they’re an opportunity to create a better life for our beloved pets while also protecting the environment they share with us. By adopting these resolutions, you can enrich your cat’s life, protect wildlife, and create harmony between your feline family member and the natural world.
Together, we can make this year a celebration of love, care, and commitment to our cats and the birds they share the skies with. Let’s take steps to ensure that all lives—feline, feathered, and beyond—are safe, healthy, and thriving. By sticking to the responsible cat care practices outlined above, you will ensure the well-being of your pets and prevent them from transferring diseases to and from wildlife, predating on native birds, bats and other mammals, and becoming a nuisance to your neighbours.
Help make BC a safer place for cats and wildlife by following the best practices of responsible cat ownership and sharing these principles with other pet owners in your friends and family circles.
Explore our Cats and Birds pages and more tips for cat owners!
