What would a cat actually resolve to eat less of this year?

If cats wrote resolutions, "eat fewer treats off the counter" would top the list, because feline obesity is one of the most common conditions veterinarians see. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has found in its annual surveys that more than half of cats in the United States are classified as overweight or obese, a status linked to diabetes, arthritis, and reduced lifespan (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 2023). A realistic resolution isn't a crash diet — it's measured meals using a kitchen scale or measuring cup instead of free-feeding from a bag, since even 20 extra kibbles a day can add up to a pound of extra weight over a year for an average cat.

Owners can help by asking their veterinarian to calculate a target calorie range at the annual exam rather than guessing from the bag's feeding chart, which is often written for an active, unaltered cat rather than the average neutered indoor pet. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's nutrition guidelines recommend body condition scoring at every visit as a simple, consistent way to track whether a cat is trending in the wrong direction before it becomes a medical problem (WSAVA, 2021).

Would your cat really promise to play more instead of just watching birds through the window?

Window-watching is enrichment, but it's passive — and a cat's resolution to "play more" reflects a real gap in many indoor cats' routines. Cornell Feline Health Center notes that indoor cats need scheduled, interactive play sessions to mimic the hunting sequence of stalk, chase, pounce, and catch, since without an outlet for that instinct, cats can develop destructive or anxious behaviors (Cornell Feline Health Center, n.d.). Two 10 to 15 minute sessions a day with a wand toy, timed before meals to echo a natural hunt-then-eat rhythm, is a commonly recommended target.

Enrichment isn't only about toys; vertical space and hiding spots matter just as much. Cats that have access to elevated perches and multiple resting areas show fewer signs of stress in multi-cat households, according to guidance from the ASPCA on feline environmental needs (ASPCA, n.d.). A cat's resolution to "use my cat tree instead of yelling at 6 a.m." is really a request for more daytime stimulation so nighttime zoomies burn off less pent-up energy.

Would your cat actually agree to go to the vet without a fight this year?

No cat willingly resolves to enjoy the carrier, but annual and semi-annual wellness exams are one of the most impactful things an owner can control. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that adult cats see a veterinarian at least once a year, and twice a year for cats over age 10, because cats are skilled at masking illness until a condition is advanced (AAFP, 2021). Getting a cat comfortable with the carrier ahead of time — leaving it out as a regular piece of furniture with treats inside, rather than only appearing on vet days — measurably reduces stress-related no-shows.

Bloodwork and blood pressure checks become especially important as cats age, since conditions like chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are common in cats over 10 and are far easier to manage when caught early. Cornell Feline Health Center points out that routine senior screening panels can flag kidney values trending upward months before a cat shows outward symptoms like weight loss (Cornell Feline Health Center, n.d.).

Would your cat promise to drink more water instead of ignoring the bowl?

Cats descend from a desert ancestor and have a naturally low thirst drive, so a real feline resolution might be "drink enough water to keep my kidneys happy," even though most cats need coaxing to do it. Low water intake is a contributing factor in feline lower urinary tract disease and chronic kidney disease, two of the more common reasons cats end up at the emergency vet, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center (Cornell Feline Health Center, n.d.). Feeding at least some wet food, which is roughly 70 to 80 percent moisture compared to under 10 percent in dry kibble, is one of the simplest ways to boost daily fluid intake without relying on a cat's willingness to drink from a bowl.

Running water also tends to attract more interest than a still bowl, which is why pet water fountains have become popular; some cats will drink noticeably more from a fountain placed away from the litter box and food, since cats instinctively prefer not to eat and eliminate near their water source (ASPCA, n.d.).

Would your cat really resolve to stop scratching the couch, or just scratch something better?

A cat is never going to resolve to stop scratching altogether — it's a normal behavior tied to claw maintenance and territory marking through scent glands in the paws. The more honest resolution is scratching the right thing, and that starts with offering a scratching post that's tall enough for a full-body stretch, at least 30 inches by some behaviorist recommendations, and sturdy enough not to wobble (ASPCA, n.d.). Cats also have individual texture preferences, so a household with only a carpet-covered post may need to add a sisal-rope or cardboard option before the couch stops looking so appealing.

Declawing is not the fix many owners assume it to be. The AVMA discourages the procedure except as a last resort, noting it is an amputation of the last bone of each toe that can lead to chronic pain and litter box avoidance, and recommends nail trims, scratching posts, and vinyl nail caps as humane alternatives first (AVMA, n.d.).

Would your cat commit to sleeping less during the day and bothering you less at 3 a.m.?

Cats sleep an average of 12 to 16 hours a day, and that biology isn't going to change with any resolution — but the timing of that sleep can shift with better daytime engagement (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2022). A cat that naps through most of the daylight hours because there's nothing to do will naturally be more active at night, which is why owners often see 3 a.m. zoomies or vocalizing at the bedroom door. Shifting the last interactive play session and a small meal to right before the owner's own bedtime can help nudge a cat's most active period earlier in the evening instead.

Sudden increases in nighttime activity or vocalization in an older cat shouldn't automatically be chalked up to a bad habit, though. Cornell Feline Health Center notes that new or worsening night waking in senior cats can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, or early cognitive decline, all of which are worth ruling out with a veterinarian rather than resolving to just tolerate it (Cornell Feline Health Center, n.d.).

Would your cat agree to handle change better this year, instead of hiding for three days?

Cats are territorial by nature, and even small household changes — new furniture, a moved litter box, a houseguest — can trigger stress responses that look like hiding, overgrooming, or missing the litter box. Ohio State University's Indoor Pet Initiative has found that environmental stress is a major, often overlooked contributor to feline illness, since chronic stress can trigger or worsen conditions like feline idiopathic cystitis (Ohio State University Indoor Pet Initiative, n.d.). A cat's version of "handle change better" really means an owner introducing changes gradually and keeping resources like litter boxes, food, and water in stable, predictable locations.

Multi-cat households benefit from a resolution of their own: providing enough resources to prevent competition. The general guideline from feline behavior researchers is one litter box per cat plus one extra, placed in separate, low-traffic locations, since inadequate access is a leading cause of litter box avoidance and interfeline tension (Cornell Feline Health Center, n.d.).