2021 is upon us, and the possibilities are endless. Many people choose to make goals for themselves to accomplish, but there is someone else who could benefit from your dedication – your pet. Who says that New Year’s Resolutions should only be for humans? As a responsible and loving owner, you can choose this time to make a new commitment to the health, happiness, and overall quality of life of your pet by making some resolutions with them in mind. To help you get started, here are a few of our favorite pet-based New Year Resolutions.
1 – Do more exercise
This resolution aligns well with one of the most common goals of humans starting a brand new year – getting fitter. Most pets will benefit from an increase in their usual exercise levels, particularly if they are a little heavier than is healthy for their breed and age. Exercise is also important for heart health, muscle strength and providing mental stimulation, which can keep your pet from becoming bored and developing undesirable behaviors.
2 – Measure out your pet’s food properly
If you have ever just poured your pet’s food into their bowl without really stopping to measure it, you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, this is one of the easiest ways for our pets to accidentally gain weight. As many as 54% of dogs and 59% of cats in the United States are overweight and are consequently at greater risk of many health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Careful portion control can help ensure that your precious pet isn’t overheating.
3 – Learn pet first aid
Animals can suffer accidents and injuries at any time and knowing what to do if one arises is extremely valuable. Pet first aid isn’t too dissimilar to the human variety, and with the right techniques, you can help your pet in the interim period before they see your veterinarian. In some cases, immediate first aid can make the difference between life and death.
4 – Update your pet’s microchip
Pet microchipping is one of the most reliable methods of attaching your personal contact details permanently to your animal. Unless collars and tags, microchips can’t be removed or fall off. Instead, they are placed painlessly under the skin where they can only be read using a special microchip scanner. However, microchipping only works when your contact details are up to date. Use the start of the new year to carry out this important task.
5 – Improve your pet’s training
Even if you feel that your pet is fully trained, chances are that there is room for improvement. Reinforcing training is fairly easy, and extremely valuable, for your pet’s safety as well as the harmony of your home.
6 – Boost your bond with your pet
A human-pet bond is a very special relationship. When you have a close bond with your animal, there is a very real, emotional connection between you that enables you to understand one another without the need for verbal communication. You can strengthen your bond even further by spending quality time with one another. What you do is up to you – play games, share a book, go for a hike or simply enjoy cuddling up next to one another and being in each other’s company.
7 – Create a pet grooming schedule
Grooming is an important part of your pet’s welfare, and not just to make them look clean and healthy. Regular brushing removes excess fur and dirt and encourages oils through the coat to keep it healthy. Meanwhile, trim your pet’s nails, cleaning their ears, and other elements of grooming help to prevent health issues from occurring, as well as giving you an opportunity to check them for parasites and unusual lumps, bumps, rashes, or anything else unusual.
8 – Check your pet’s preventative care schedule
Preventative care is one of the best ways of protecting your pet from harmful diseases and parasites. If your pet is registered with a vet already, you may have an existing preventative care schedule. However, if you don’t have a set routine in place for things like worming, flea treatments, and vaccinations, the new year is a great time to get this in place. Speak to your vet for more advice.
9 – Visit your veterinarian for a check-up
Most vets recommended that all pets have a thorough examination at least once per year to make sure that your animal is as healthy as possible and to help to detect any potential problems early.
Schedule a New Year pet wellness examination today by contacting our veterinary team.
