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New Year.
A fresh start, clean slate, the perennial do over. A chance to try again, change bad habits, make new ones? What person doesn’t try with resolutions, intentions, lists?
As the old adage goes, “what is good for the goose is good for the gander”.
Or cat.
New Year’s is the perfect time to look at your furry feline companion(s) and consider what would give them a better, healthier life? Diet? Exercise? Attention? A more comfortable sleep space? Less neglect (are the humans working too much and ignoring Fluffy?)
Now is the time to set your goals and help Fluffy and Slasher (or what ever your little nugget of love is called) to start afresh and be the best, healthiest they can be.
Water
A bowl of fresh water is essential for your cat. Milk is not the drink of choice. Water is essential for cats, particularly indoor cats whose diet is totally reliant on their caretaker to provide. Studies have shown that cats are attracted to running water ( does sink and cat bring anything to mind?) and will drink more than still water in a bowl. While splashing the edges of the bowl might encourage them to drink – don’t you really have better things to do? So, what better time to change from a bowl of water (less fresh and appealing) to a kitty water fountain. With numerous choices on the market why go with one that looks like something found in the mens bathroom? Here are some of the cutest options available that won’t break the bank, or make the feeding zone look ugly.
Catit Flower Fountain. Super cute flower pot shaped design has 3 different water settings. $29.95
Drinkwell 360 Fountain for Pets by Petsafe is a more futuristic design and has carbon filters and is BPA free $39.79
Super fun and quirky is the Cats Rule Frog Watering Hole Fountain has 3 settings and nice sound. Fun too! $39.99
Exercise
Fluffy looking a little round?
Cats by nature are resters, snoozers and couch potatoes. They love finding warm, cozy, sheltered places and spending large amounts of time napping. Especially indoor cats. Linked with a diet that is full of calories and few hunting opportunities (do socks count?) obesity and lethargy has become a serious problem for the modern cat. Obesity is a serious problem. It will not only cause health problems but will shorten your cat’s life. A few adjustments to diet and exercise and you can ensure the calories stay off. Let’s consider some alternatives to kitty gym.
A cat dancer is one of the easiest ways to get Fluffy moving and jumping. Wiggle it on the floor, run through the house, tease in the air this is fun for both human and cat. Cat Dancer – Cat Charmer Wand Teaser Toy is a great place to start. $4.54
YYF Titan’s Tower is an interactive toy, for single or multiple cats, that stimulates their minds and keeps them engaged chasing balls. Not quite as aerobic but will help to stop them just lounging. Perfect for the older cat who might not benefit from too strenuous a workout. $16.32
For those hoping to get seriously fit this is it! One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel is the state of the art piece of equipment to get Fluffy fit. For the family with adequate space this wheel has got to be the gold standard. Developed with the knowledge that cats aren’t like hamsters the designers have provided advice and training videos to help Fluffy become the Usain Bolt of the feline world. Lightweight, easy to assemble this will help Fluffy’s fitness goals become reality. $204
