As the year winds down, I wanted to share a bit of humor and some reflections inspired by my cat, Bruce. At the impressive age of 16 (that’s over 80 in cat years!), Bruce is still thriving—healthy, energetic, and as sharp as ever. Aside from a minor encounter with bladder stones when he was five (more on that later), Bruce has never faced any major health issues. He’s the picture of feline vitality.
While Bruce is admittedly just a single data point in my unscientific “study,” his longevity and energy offer some valuable lessons for all of us. If we want to stay as resilient and lively as Bruce, there’s plenty we can learn from his example.
If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably watched your furry friend lounging on the couch, lazily grooming themselves, and thought, Wow, this little creature is probably healthier than I am.
So, with that in mind, here are some reasons why Bruce might be outpacing you when it comes to well-being—and how you can take a page out of his book to live a more "cat-like" life.
1. Bruce Eats a High-Protein High Fat Diet + Organs
Bruce’s diet is a shining example of clean eating. Every meal he enjoys is a carefully balanced, high-protein, high-fat feast featuring chicken, fish, beef, organ meats, and occasionally even duck. His meals are virtually free of processed grains like wheat, corn, and soy. While the brand of dry food he occasionally eats includes some sweet potatoes, his diet remains primarily rooted in whole, natural ingredients.
Previously, Bruce experienced a serious case of kidney stones that required surgery. The culprit? A diet of cheap, grain-filled cat food packed with oxalates. Cats, like some humans, struggle to eliminate oxalates effectively, leading to the formation of painful stones. Once we eliminated these foods and transitioned Bruce to a more natural, species-appropriate diet, all of his kidney and bladder issues completely disappeared.
Bruce eats twice a day, doesn’t graze, and naturally practices caloric restriction. Unlike our less discerning dog, Bruce instinctively rejects processed junk food. If particularly disgusted, he’ll even attempt to bury it! A true connoisseur, Bruce is a proud little carnivore who knows exactly what his body needs—and has the discipline to avoid anything else.
Even his snacks are on point, consisting mainly of dehydrated meat, organs, and fat. No chips, cookies, ice cream, or other junk food for this refined feline!
2. Bruce Only Drinks Purified Water (and some beer)
Bruce understands that water is life—he just gets it. If he could, he’d probably hand you a pamphlet titled “Hydration 101: A Cat’s Guide to Common Sense.” Have you ever seen a cat drinking soda? Of course not, because to a cat, the idea is absurd. A cat sipping Diet Coke is as ridiculous as a carnivore willingly choosing tofu. It’s simply not happening.
That said, Bruce does have a soft spot for beer. Every now and then, I let him lick the last few drops from the bottom of the bottle—just a little treat for him.
At home, we have a reverse osmosis filter under the sink, so Bruce only gets the purest, cleanest water. Occasionally, he’ll dip his paw in the bowl and drink the water off his fur. Gross? Sure. But for Bruce, it’s water or nothing. He also likes to lick the water in the shower, but whatever.
Humans, on the other hand, seem to struggle with this basic concept. We can’t just drink water without some app nagging us every hour with passive-aggressive reminders to "Take a sip!"
If we followed Bruce’s lead, we’d be healthier. Cutting out sugary sports drinks, wine, beer, bourbon, and the endless parade of unnecessary, high-calorie beverages could dramatically improve our well-being. Water is all we need—Bruce would approve.
3. Bruce Sleeps Like He's Training for an Olympic Napping Event
Ah, sleep. That glorious state of rest that humans replace with scrolling through TikTok till 2 a.m. or binge-watching yet another episode of British people baking stuff.
Bruce and other cats, truly understand the value of quality shut-eye. They’ll clock in a good 12-16 hours per day, no questions asked. That kitten sprinting across the room at 4 a.m.? That was just their “leg day.” The rest of the time, they’re knocked out cold, probably dreaming about killing the dog or catching the laser pointer.
You know what cats never have? Dark under-eye circles, frantic searches for cold brew, or an existential dread-filled, sleep-deprived “How am I going to survive this day?” panic attack.
If we prioritized sleep over TV, alcohol, and endless scrolling, like Bruce does, we’d age more gracefully, look healthier, and enjoy greater energy and mental clarity too.
4. Bruce Only Engages in Explosive Exercise… Sorta
Bruce might not be one for regular workouts, but when the mood strikes, he’s all in. Even at the impressive age of 80, he can go from zero to Olympic sprinter in just 3.5 seconds, tearing through the house like a whirlwind of fur and claws. His bursts of energy typically happen at 3 a.m., and he's not interested in leisurely strolls or long jogs. Instead, he’s focused on high jumping, sprinting, and wrestling inanimate objects—or launching surprise attacks on feet under the covers or the sleeping dog.
For Bruce, the idea of mindlessly trudging on a treadmill or grinding away on a stationary bike is completely alien. His workouts are more like a parkour routine or an Olympic track athlete preparing for an action movie role.
Humans could learn a thing or two from Bruce. Our bodies thrive on dynamic, explosive movements rather than monotonous steady-state cardio. If you want to age gracefully, staying muscular, mobile, and impressive into your 60s, 70s, and beyond, it’s time to change the way you move. Trade in the endless cardio sessions for HIIT, heavy strength training, and explosive activities like sprinting or jumping. Be like Bruce—train with purpose and intensity, no matter your age.
Why Bruce’s Lifestyle Puts His Health Ahead of the Rest
It’s time to face the truth, folks. Despite their aloofness and penchant for napping in weird spots, cats are winning the health game. Sure, there are some obese cats out there, but the vast majority eat clean, hydrate like champs, sleep like royalty, and stay active in their own ridiculous, dramatic way. And us humans? We’re over here eating snacks in bed, binge-watching reality TV, drinking 1000 calories of Coors Light before bed, and calling walking to the fridge “exercise.”
If you want to live a healthier lifestyle like Bruce, the next time you’re tempted to hit snooze one more time, crack open another can of soda, or skip leg day, just think of Bruce and ask yourself, WWBD (What would Bruce do)?
Wishing you a Happy New Year! We deeply appreciate your support for our small business.
Health and Elite Fitness in 2025
Michael DiCroce
Founder & CEO
