It’s a fresh, new year and promises linger in the air. It’s a time to change out old habits for newer and smarter ones. Factoring your feline friend into the equation could just be the extra boost you need to follow through on your promises this year. Here are some of the most common new year’s resolutions, modified to include your cat.

Resolve to Eat Right and Lose Weight
You have a choice in the food that you eat, but your cat depends on you to plan a healthy diet. This year, re-examine your cat food to see if the nutrients are appropriate for your kitty’s current stage in life. If your cat is a little roly-poly despite a high quality diet, switching to measured portions may be all that’s needed to shed the extra weight.

Resolve to Travel More
Traveling can be more fun for humans than their feline companions. So once you return home, include your cat in the adventure by giving stimulating souvenirs, such as peacock feathers from Palos Verdes for swatting, Icelandic sheepskin rugs for sleeping, and tiny stuffed animals from any giftshop with which to run around and holler at night.

Resolve to Save Money and Save Lives
If you want to spend your money more wisely this year, consider making a tax-deductible donation to a cat rescue or no-kill shelter. You could pay part of the adoption fee for older cats, donate blankets and food, or donate your time volunteering. By doing so, you’ll save the lives of many animals without bringing home any more cats.

Resolve to be More Health Conscious
When you get into the habit of taking your cat for regular exams, not only will your cat gain comfort and familiarity with the vet, but you are establishing a benchmark for comparison that can help identify problems sooner. Buying a wellness plan will motivate you to go more often, keep up with dental care and vaccinations, and take some of the monetary sting out of emergency visits.

Do you have any other new year’s resolutions that include your cat? If so, we’d love to hear about them!

Candace Elise Hoes is a pet sitter and blogger at Katie’s Kitty. She is a graduate of the MFA Writing Program at California College of the Arts.

photo by Leung Ching Yau Alex on flickr