Dear Human,

This is your cat writing*.

With the start of the New Year, I thought I would send you a few suggestions to get me closer to the status we felines once held in ancient Egypt. We were worshiped as gods, and this is the status I would like to return to this year.

1. Play with me every day
Some people who are owned by a cat think that we don’t need that much attention. I beg to differ. We need lots of attention. We felines crave attention. And we deserve attention. So play with me – every day. In the process, I will entertain you, make you smile, and lower your blood pressure. Besides, I hear it’s great exercise, and we could all afford to lose an ounce or two after the holidays.

2. Help me love my carrier
I overheard that my carrier is my safe ticket to getting out of the house more frequently. I would love to get out of the house, and be transported by a chauffeur as I deserve. But I hate my crate. Help me change that. Help me love my crate, and I promise I won’t hide and fight you every time. Here is a video you can learn from: https://www.catalystcouncil.org/resources/health_welfare/cat_carrier_video/index.aspx

3. Take me on a walk
Dogs should not be the only ones allowed to be walked outside. As long as you don’t interrupt my nap, teach me to walk on a leash, with a kitty harness. First let’s do that inside so I get used to the idea. Then maybe you can walk me in the yard, and possibly even on a sidewalk if you feel it’s clean and safe enough for someone of my status.
Your friends and neighbors will fawn all over me because seeing a cat on a leash is such a rare treat for humans. Think of all the petting and attention!

4. Teach me a trick
In an effort to elevate my status, I am willing to prove that I am smarter than dogs. Teach me tricks and I will show you how smart I really am. You’ve always suspected that I understand every word you are saying, so allow me to prove it by letting me learn a trick.

5. Take better care of Me
Measure what I eat. Schedule an appointment with my vet if I haven’t been there in the past 6 months. I wouldn’t want to be accused of feline obesity or diabetes. Also help me keep my pearly whites in good condition! Preventive health care is the secret to a long and happy life, and only you can help me achieve that.

Help me make 2015 the year I begin elevating my status in your house. Help me reclaim my well-deserved place in the world. Help me make this dream a reality. So please do your part and follow these 5 simple steps* to keep me happy, healthy, and deservedly revered!

Until next time,

Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ

* These 5 New Year resolution are loosely inspired from information provided by the CATalyst Council, an organization dedicated to cat health and welfare. Find more information at www.catalystcouncil.org.

Dr. Phil Zeltzman is a traveling veterinary surgeon in Pennsylvania & New Jersey. An award-winning author, he loves to share his adventures in practice along with information about vet medicine and surgery that can really help your pets. Dr. Zeltzman specializes in orthopedic, neurologic, cancer, and soft tissue surgeries for dogs, cats, and small exotics. By working with local family vets, he offers the best surgical care, safest anesthesia, and utmost pain management to all his patients. Sign up to get an email when he updates his blog, and follow him on Facebook, too!