Planning Your Year in Cats

Laurie Coughlan and Kate Preston

Each January, most of us give some thought to what we wish to accomplish in the new year. What do we want to do more, less, better, or differently than in the past? Don’t forget to include your pets and cat-related activities in your resolutions and planning. Whether you have a pet or two, a show cat, breeding cats, or are involved in pet rescue, a little planning will make the year run more smoothly for you and your cats.

In the beginning …

The same tools you may use at work or for home planning can work for your pets, especially if you have a lot of cat-related activities. You may want to use a dedicated monthly calendar with room to make notes and changes in entries which can help keep you organized and your cats well cared for. With a monthly calendar, you can note cat-related events such as conferences, club meetings, volunteer time with rescue, and shows. Online calendars can also help, especially where entries can be easily changed or moved around. They are handy when show dates and locations change, as may your showing schedule as the year progresses. A columnar ledger can help keep track of cat-related expenses. Choose a method that works for you. One owner also uses a 3-ring binder tabbed for each cat to keep track of health/grooming/feeding specific to individuals, while another created an Excel spreadsheet to track that information.

Start with the basics …

Annual exams and health checks: Kittens (are they growing well, on schedule?), senior cats (is it time for a dental visit?), cats with special problems (diabetes, allergies, etc.), and pregnant mom cats all have different needs to keep track of. If you breed your kitty, document breeding dates, mate’s name, and any issues.

Vaccinations: As part of your kitty’s health check, you will consider whether to use a 3-way or 4-way vaccine, killed or modified live virus/organism. You will also consider the timing, which is dependent upon the kitty’s age and prior vaccinations. It is easy to lose track with multiple cats and different effective periods. You want your queens safely vaccinated before they are bred. Rabies annually or every three years? For example, often owners use one-year Purevax rabies for kittens, then switch to three-year for adult boosters.

Pest control: Review application dates for individual cat treatments. Note any special concerns for babies or for situations that may call for Revolution, Safeguard, Advantage, Capstar, etc. Depending on where you live, you may want to schedule annual cleaning or spraying for pests.

Supplies and equipment: Inventory and restock as needed any health and safety items such as first-aid equipment, probiotics, e-collars, vet wrap, syringes and nipples for nursing, heating pads or microwave discs. Update prescriptions that should be kept on hand, and order spares of critical items you may need if you travel with your cat. The most common denominators are non-prescription items like anti-diarrheal medicine, soothing eye drops, special shampoos/coat conditioners, nail clippers (are they dull from use?), cotton balls, Q-tips, etc. Replace worn items, including litter pans, feeding dishes, bowls and water dispensers that are damaged or just worn enough to possibly harbor bacteria.

Show and travel supplies: If you show or travel with your cat, you probably have a “go bag” containing an assortment of necessary items. One owner keeps all the above, plus pencils, a small flashlight, and duct tape in her bag! This is a good time to sort those items and make sure all are there and in working order. Do you have the right size and configuration of carrier(s) for your kitty’s comfort and safety? Are your clipper blades dull or in need of replacement?

The fun stuff …

Scratching posts/trees, beds, toys: One cat owner starts babies with brand new items, then rotates the items as they age to house cats, breeding girls, then boys, in order of which set is least likely to pee on them! After stud boys, items go to the trash. There are ways to extend the life of a nice tree (tacking fresh matching toweling onto the seat that is starting to shred, wrapping a lose sisal rope with transparent packing tape at the loose end, replacing the dangling toy that is in rags with a favorite one on a new string). But when a tree has really come to the end of the line, it’s best to treat yourself and your kitties to a new one. Besides, it’s fun to pick out something special and fresh.

Plan for enrichment items. Replace specialty feeders, toys, etc., and be sure to schedule play sessions for your cats! Do a safety review on any new toys.

The larger and long–term needs …

If you have multiple cats and/or a dedicated cattery space, this is a good time to review and plan for any large-scale cattery work that may be needed less than annually. Do you need new floors, enclosure replacements or changes in configuration, ventilation and heating/cooling systems? Do you want to add a “catio” or any outside-but-safe play space?

Scheduling events and people …

You and your cat sitters: Don’t forget to enter your commitments both for shows and for cat-related volunteer services, like club and CFA Annual meetings, rescue, educational activities, CFA committees, etc. Remember to line up reliable cat sitters well in advance to help you meet that schedule. Make those hotel reservations for shows and meetings in time for group rates, because you can always cancel later.

Of course, things will crop up unexpectedly … but starting the new year with a plan will help you keep things in hand throughout the days and months ahead.