10 Simple New Year’s Resolutions to Make Your Cat’s Year Amazing
The New Year is the perfect time to set meaningful goals—not just for yourself, but for your cat too!
Whether it’s preventing behavioral issues, strengthening your bond, or improving communication, small changes can make a big difference in your cat’s overall well-being.
Here are 10 New Year’s resolutions every cat owner can embrace to create a happier, healthier year for their feline friend.
1. Learn to Read Your Cat’s Body Language
Like dogs, cats use body language and facial expressions to show how they’re feeling and what they want.
But unlike dogs, cats are often much more subtle with their signals.
From the way they move their ears to the position of their tail, every little gesture tells a story.
Understanding these cues helps you better connect with your cat, anticipate his needs, and avoid potential stress or conflicts.
Here are some general guidelines:
- Ears: Upright and forward means relaxed, flattened indicates fear, and pointed back shows anger or threat.
- Tail: Neutral means calm, high with a curve signals happiness, puffed up shows fear, and rapid swishing indicates irritation.
- Eyes: Slow blinking shows trust, wide-open eyes indicate fear, and staring suggests hostility. Dilated pupils can mean excitement or stress, depending on the context.
- Body Posture: Confident cats stand tall, while nervous ones crouch. A “Halloween cat” stance shows threat, and crouching low signals fear.
- Face: Softer facial features indicate relaxation. Tense expressions often signal fear or aggression.
2. Master the Art of the Slow Blink
Have you ever caught your cat staring at you, then slowly closing and opening his eyes?
This isn’t just your cat being sleepy – it’s actually a sophisticated form of cat communication known as a “cat kiss.”
In the feline world, direct eye contact can be threatening, but this slow blink is their way of saying “I trust you enough to close my eyes in your presence.”
Try this at home: Make eye contact with your cat from a comfortable distance, then slowly close and open your eyes.
If your cat returns the blink, congratulations – you’ve just had a meaningful conversation in cat language!
By mimicking this gesture, you’re signaling to your cat that you’re non-threatening.
This simple act can help build trust with shy cats and strengthen your bond with confident ones.
3. Upgrade Your Cat’s Scratching Options
Scratching is a natural and essential behavior for cats.
It helps them mark their territory, stretch their muscles, and maintain healthy claws.
To support this instinct in a way that works for both your cat and your home, it’s important to choose scratching options that suit his preferences and needs.
Most cats gravitate toward vertical scratching posts that are at least 3 feet tall and covered in sisal rope.
This provides the perfect texture for claw maintenance and allows cats to stretch at the same time.
But some cats—especially seniors or those with sensitive joints—may prefer horizontal or diagonal scratchers made from softer materials like cardboard or carpet.
These are gentler on aging bodies and easier to access.
So try out a few different options and see what your cat likes best.
Your furniture will thank you for it!
4. The Magic of the Cardboard Box
Who knew a simple cardboard box could be the key to your cat’s happiness?
Research shows that cats with access to hiding spots—like a humble cardboard box—are less stressed and more likely to approach people in a calm, friendly way.
Hiding is a natural instinct for cats, offering them a sense of security and a safe haven when they need a break from the world.
Transform your home into a cat-friendly paradise by scattering a few boxes in quiet spots.
These cozy “safe zones” give your cat the perfect place to retreat, recharge, and watch the world go by.
The more relaxed he feels in general, the less likely he is to develop behavioral problems.
5. Use a Slow Feeder Bowl or Food Puzzle Toy
Ready for a revolution in feeding?
Forget the food bowl!
If your cat seems restless or frustrated, he may be missing the mental challenge of hunting.
Here’s why: In nature, cats spend up to 6 hours daily hunting for food, making up to 12 small catches.
Even when they have access to plenty of food in the home, cats retain this need to stalk, chase, pounce, and grab.
This predatory sequence is an integral part of feline behavior and cats need an outlet for it.
But by providing opportunities for your cat to engage in these activities, you can stimulate his natural hunting instincts and help prevent behavior issues.
Enter the world of food puzzles and slow feeders.
These ingenious tools recreate the thrill of the hunt, engaging your cat’s problem-solving abilities and satisfying his physical exercise needs.
- Start simple with a slow feeder bowl or a rolling treat ball that encourages your cat to nudge and bat to get the food.
- Once he’s got the idea, upgrade to a snuffle mat with hidden food portions that will your cat to forage and sniff out his rewards.
- You can even try a more advanced puzzle feeder that requires your cat to manipulate a mechanism to access his food.
Any of these options will have him stalking, chasing, and pouncing with glee.
When cats use their thinking brain to work for food, it helps regulate their emotional brain, reducing feelings of anxiety and preventing destructive behaviors.
6. Give Your Cat an Outlet for His Inner Hunter
As we’ve just said, cats are natural-born hunters.
Even the most pampered house cats have an instinctive need to stalk, chase, and pounce.
Providing toys that mimic prey is another great way to satisfy these predatory instincts and keep your cat mentally and physically healthy.
Every cat has his own hunting style:
- Some cats love chasing feather wands in the air, leaping and swatting like aerial acrobats.
- Others prefer ground-level play, stalking toy mice as if they were real prey.
- My cats love pouncing on a piece of string dragged under a rug.
So find out what your cat likes best and go for it!
Interactive play sessions tap into his instincts, releasing feel-good endorphins and providing essential exercise.
Play is also a great way to switch a cat’s emotional state from negative to positive, and can help counter feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety.
Even if your cat is well-fed, his instinct to hunt remains hardwired into his DNA.
By offering regular opportunities to express this natural behavior, you’ll keep him happier, healthier, and more content—while avoiding the frustration that often leads to unwanted behaviors like scratching furniture or spraying.
7. Create a Three-Dimensional Cat Paradise
Cats naturally seek high places because height equals safety in their world.
In the wild, cats use vertical space to survey their territory, escape from predators, avoid conflict with other cats, and monitor their environment.
In the home, adding vertical space is a great way to provide additional environmental enrichment for your cat.
Here’s how to maximize your home’s vertical space:
- Install sturdy cat trees that reach the ceiling.
- Add window perches near bird-watching spots.
- Create wall-mounted stepping stones and shelves.
- Place cozy hiding boxes at various heights.
This isn’t just about having cool cat furniture – it’s about creating a stress-free environment that honors your cat’s natural instincts and gives him a sense of safety and control.
These spots can become safe havens where he can relax, reducing stress and promoting calm behavior.
For multi-cat households, a multi-level cat tree is a game-changer.
Not only does it provide vertical space for climbing and resting, but it also offers plenty of scratching surfaces, hiding spots, and lounging areas.
This setup helps prevent territorial disputes by giving each cat their own space while adding enrichment and mental stimulation.
8. Set Up the Perfect Litter Box
A well-thought-out litter box setup can make a world of difference in your cat’s comfort.
Again, get it right and it can help prevent common behavioral issues, like avoiding the box altogether.
The key is to consider your cat’s size, preferences, and needs when choosing the right box and placement.
First, size matters!
Choose a box that’s at least 1.5 times the length of your cat to give him plenty of space to move around.
Many commercial options are too small for the average cat, so consider using large plastic storage bins as an alternative.
Next, experiment with both covered and uncovered boxes.
While some cats enjoy the privacy of a covered box, others might feel trapped and prefer an open design.
Location matters too.
Place your cat’s litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home where he can feel safe and undisturbed.
Avoid spots near loud appliances like washing machines or areas where another cat (or the family dog) might startle or ambush him.
If you have a multi-cat household, stick to the golden rule: one box per cat plus one extra.
This helps reduce territorial disputes and ensures every cat has access when they need it.
For senior cats or those with mobility issues, choose boxes with low entry points to make getting in and out easier on their joints.
Inappropriate elimination (peeing/pooping outside the box) is one of the most common feline behavior problems, but small adjustments—like choosing the right litter or changing the location—can go a long way toward preventing this.
9. The Benefits of Preference Testing
A preference test involves providing your cat with two or more options and allowing him to decide which one he prefers.
This can be applied to everything from litter box setups to food choices, to scratch posts and even sleeping spots.
Here are two examples of how you can use preference testing at home:
Example 1: Litter Box Preferences
- Set up two or more identical litter boxes in separate locations.
- Fill each box with a different type of litter (e.g., clumping, non-clumping, scented, or unscented).
- Allow your cat to explore and use the litter boxes over a period of time.
- Observe his behavior—frequent use, digging, or covering can indicate a preference.
Once you identify the litter and location he prefers, stick with it to make his bathroom experience more comfortable (and reduce the likelihood of litter box problems arising).
Example 2: Food Preferences
- Select two or more types or flavors of cat food.
- Offer small, equal portions of each type in clean, identical bowls.
- Watch for signs of enthusiasm, such as prolonged eating or eager consumption.
- Note which food they prefer based on the amount consumed.
By serving food your cat truly enjoys, you’ll make mealtime more satisfying and eliminate unnecessary frustration.
Preference testing gives your cat a say in his environment, once again empowering him to feel safe and secure.
By offering choices and observing what he gravitates toward, you can create a home environment that truly meets his needs.
10. The Power of Consent Testing
A consent test offers a simple way to bridge the communication gap between you and your cat.
This technique allows you to “ask” your cat if he’s comfortable with an action or situation and lets him decide what happens next.
Not only does this reduce stress, but it also strengthens trust and builds a better bond between the two of you.
Here’s how to use consent testing in three different scenarios:
- Petting: Hold out your hand and wait. If your cat leans in or rubs against you, go ahead and pet him. Think of it like your cat is saying “yes.” But if he turns away or leaves the area, think of it as a “no” and respect his space.
- Grooming: Show your cat the brush and wait. If he stays in place or leans toward you, it’s a “yes.” But if he starts swishing his tail during the session, it’s time to stop. The “yes” has become a “no.” And as we all know, cats love to change their minds.
- Play or Treat Time: Offer a toy or treat and watch for your cat’s reaction. Hesitant or conflicted body language, like stretching but looking away, indicates a “maybe,” which should also be treated as a “no” to avoid creating mixed emotions.
Consent testing isn’t just about reading your cat’s signals—it’s about giving him a sense of control over his environment.
Like preference testing, it’s another approach that helps reduce stress, boost confidence, and alleviate feelings of fear or anxiety.
Final Thoughts
By combining the 10 New Year’s resolutions mentioned in this article, you’ll create a home tailored to your cat’s needs, resulting in a happier and more relaxed feline companion all around.
And that’s a Happy New Year for everyone!
