Happy New Year! And, to our feline patients, a Happy Mew Year. (Cats actually celebrate the new year on January 2nd.) As we look ahead to 2024, many people are thinking about the things they want to achieve in the next 12 months. Our purring friends also have a few things on their to-do lists for this year. Read on as a local Clarkesville, GA vet lists some of Fluffy’s top goals.
Get More Sleep
If we know one thing about Fluffy, it’s the fact that she gets very, very tired. Kitties can sleep up to 20 hours a day, though most of them somehow manage to scrape by on about 12 to 18. (We aren’t entirely convinced that cats actually need that much rest, but that’s another topic.) Help your drowsy little pet out by offering lots of comfy spots for her to curl up, sprawl out, or just flop down in.
This can be a great resolution for people as well. Making sure that you’re getting suitable rest is very important for your health and well-being!
Work On Hairball Placement
Hairballs aren’t pleasant for either Fluffy or for you. They’re an unfortunate result of one of Fluffy’s best traits: her cleanliness. Cats take grooming seriously, and are very dedicated to maintaining their sleek coats. Your pet may spend almost a third of her awake time grooming herself. However, this inevitably leads to her swallowing some of her own fur. Cats can’t digest fur, so, well, you know how that works out.
This is one goal you want to nip in the bud. Hairballs can cause blockages, which are very dangerous and can even be life-threatening. If your cat seems to be getting too many hairballs, talk to your vet. Your pet may also benefit from hairball formula.
Take Over Scotland
This one may seem like a lofty goal. While Fluffy probably won’t be gaining control of Scotland, she may very well make a few claw marks in it. Researchers involved in a rewilding program have successfully released 19 Scottish Wildcats into the wild. The breed, which was formerly declared ‘functionally extinct’ is poised to hopefully make a comeback. That’s pretty pawesome news!
Get Faster
Did you know that the average kitty can run as fast as 30mph? Fluffy may try to get up to full kitty speed when running from the kitchen to the bedroom.
Purrfect High Jumps
Your furry pal is also no slouch when it comes to jumping. Most kitties can jump about 5 or 6 times their height, which is usually about 4 or 5 feet. Of course, Fluffy may try to practice these skills by hopping up onto a counter. Nip that habit in the bud by squirting her with water or making a loud noise when she does this.
Catch That Red Dot
Though Fluffy may be a skilled hunter, her playful behavior is rather amusing. Spending time playing with your cat is crucial! Play isn’t just for physical health; it’s mentally stimulating, too. While solo toys are important, interactive play brings more fun and mental exercise. A laser pointer is an easy tool—keep it nearby during your TV time and involve your furry companion. (Remember: never direct the light into Fluffy’s eyes.) And for you, setting aside time for daily play with your cat is an admirable goal!”
Improve Yoga Skills
Cats have a remarkable ability to twist themselves into shapes we usually associate with knots, constellations, or pretzels … and then fall asleep. Fluffy may want to stretch a bit more this year. Of course, some of our feline buddies also try to help their humans with flexibility and balance. For instance, your pet may run out in front of you, forcing you to stop mid-step.
Learn New Ways To Boss The Humans Around
Cats are masters at meow-nipulation. In fact, they might have developed meowing just to give us orders. Cats typically don’t meow at each other; they prefer using facial expressions and body language to communicate with other kitties. However, it seems they discovered that making a sound that resembles a baby’s cry is quite effective at persuading us to spoil them, and offer them love, treats, lap space, and catnip.
Of course, while cats aren’t shy about speaking their minds, they really only speak one word: meow. Technology to the rescue! You can now get your cat programmable paw pads. These speak specific words when Fluffy steps on them. While results will vary, some of our feline overlords pick the idea up pretty quickly.
Be More Affectionate
Our furry pals have some pretty cute ways of showing their love. Fluffy may curl up on your lap, follow you around, rub against your legs, meow at you, or sleep on your pillow. Then again, she may also bite you, scratch you, try to trip you … or just drop a dead mouse at your feet. That’s the thing about kitties: they certainly are full of interesting quirks!
Doze In The Sun
Warm napping spots are definitely one of Fluffy’s favorite things. (Cats aren’t actually cold blooded, and they don’t run on solar power, but we aren’t sure anyone has told them that yet.) Fluffy may spend a pretty good chunk of the year snoozing in sunbeams, under blankets, or in warm baskets of laundry. Consider making your furry friend a comfy window seat, where she can relax, spy on birds and squirrels, and daydream about being a fierce hunter.
Make The Humans Laugh
Kitties may be worth their weight in gold when it comes to comedic relief. Fluffy’s adorable antics never stop being funny! At some point this year, you’ll find yourself chuckling at your cute pet’s antics.
Astonish Researchers … Or Maybe, Just Confuse Them
Here’s a fun fact: We may have domesticated cats as far back as 9500 years ago. In fact, French archaeologists recently discovered an early burial site, in which human remains were interred with those of a kitty. The find, in the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, is 4000 years older than the earliest known Egyptian art of cats.
We’re looking forward to finding out what we can learn about Fluffy this year! (Then again, we may only find more questions.)
Get Out Of Veterinary Appointments
Regular appointments with a Clarkesville, GA veterinarian are definitely in your kitty’s best interest. However, Fluffy doesn’t understand that. She also isn’t really clear on why she has to get put in her carrier, brought on a car ride, and then taken into an exam room. This is one reason we’re mobile: it’s much easier on our furry patients. If your pet is overdue, give us a call today!
Take Over The Internet
Fluffy is well on her way to achieving this goal. One thing that we have to chuckle at is the way so many of our feline friends have become internet stars. We still can’t help but giggle at some of the adorable and hilarious cat videos we find on social media. We can’t wait to meet next year’s social media celebrekitties!
Happy New Year from all of us here at Petwise, your Clarkesville, GA animal hospital. Please feel free to contact us for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs.
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