New Years Resolutions for Your Pets

By Katie Meneses, HR Manager

Every year, people across the country set New Years resolutions for themselves, from getting healthier, to completing new career goals; However not many people think of making resolutions for their pets too! Use this New Years to make new resolutions about the care of your pet and their health!

A New Year’s Resolution for Your Dog

A great resolution to set for your dog is to take them on longer walks. Walks are the best source of exercise a dog can get. It helps burn off excess energy and keep their bodies healthy. It also gives you the benefit of longer walks too. In fact, longer walks can give your dog a longer life.

A 20-30 minute walk is great for healthy dogs, and shouldn’t be a problem for an already healthy dog. If your pet is obese or has health issues, then do smaller 10-minute walks throughout the day, to help build up their strength. You can also build up the length of the walk over time.

A New Year’s Resolution for Your Cat

Cats are very active creatures, even if they do appear sleepy during the day. Cats are nocturnal creatures, and are always looking for something to entertain themselves. This year, you can make a New Year’s resolution for your cat by finding more ways to enrich their life.

There are many ways to enrich your cat’s life. You can place a bed in front of a sliding glass door, or put up a window cat cot perch. The window should be in front of a tree, or a bird feeder so the cat can watch. Food and toy puzzles are also a great option to keep your cat mentally stimulated, and gain a little exercise Scratching posts and cat trees are also beneficial, giving your pet a place to climb and dig their claws in, instead of doing so on your furniture.

A New Year’s Resolutions for All Pets

There are many New Year’s resolutions that you can set for any type of pet. The first of these is to spend more quality time with your pets. Social animals, like cats and dogs, can benefit greatly from some down time with you, or from some play time.

Another important resolution to make is to keep up with regular wellness checks. Annual and bi-annual  visits are very important for your pets. Talking regularly with your veterinarian can help to catch the early signs of illness. It also gives you a chance to talk about a healthier diet for your pets, and keep up on your pets dental care.

Add one or a few of these resolutions as we enter the new year.

For more idea’s of new habits for yourself and your pet, check out AVMA’s suggestions here. Or, check out another of our blog posts on Improving your Pets Lifespan.

Disclaimer:  This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice.  Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet.