Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet
Now that the new year is almost here, it's time to set some goals for the next 12 months. You probably have some ideas already of what you want to accomplish during 2023, but have you thought about setting some new year’s resolutions for your pets as well? Doing so can help you keep your furry friend’s health on track, as well as add more fun and variety to their lives. Keep reading for some ideas you can use for your pet’s new year’s resolutions.
Keep Track of Treats
We all enjoy lavishly spoiling our pets, and sometimes that affection takes the shape of food. However, whether the food is designed for animals or people, it is important to avoid overindulging. When they also eat breakfast and dinner, these extra calories can really pile up!
Get Them Moving Every Day
The cause of a lot of behavioral issues in cats and dogs is boredom. Pets need to be exercised every day to stay happy. In addition to going for walks, you may train your dog to walk on a treadmill, play fetch indoors, and run around the house together. Cats adore climbing up cat towers, chasing, and pouncing on toys.
Learning New Skills
It will take some time and effort to teach your companion a new skill, but it will be rewarding to watch them develop. Keep your sessions brief but frequent whether you're learning the fundamentals of sit, stay, and come or tackling more difficult pet-training maneuvers like standing on command.
Keep Them Hydrated
Did you know that the current guidelines for daily water consumption apply to both humans and pets? For both you and your pet, the general recommendation is 0.5 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Allow your pet to encourage you to sip when you see them doing so, and viceversa.
Regularly Brush Their Teeth
Try using pet-friendly, enzymatic toothpaste to regularly brush your dog's or cat's teeth! If your pet won't put up with a toothbrush in their mouth, think about using a dental chew or veterinary-approved water additive. Consult your pet's veterinarian for more advice.
Schedule a Checkup
When was the last time you took your dog or cat to the veterinarian for a checkup? Consider setting your first New Year's resolution to routinely visit your veterinarian at East Montgomery County Animal Hospital in Conroe, TX, if it has been more than a year. Make sure your pet receives two wellness visits every year, rather than just going when they are ill. A minimum of once-a-year visits to your veterinarian assist identify any issues before they get worse.
Our furry friends are an important part of our lives. Consider including them in this year’s New Year’s resolutions. Focus your resolutions on health and happiness, and both you and your pet will benefit from these changes. Whether your pet is all caught up on their vaccinations and checkups, they’ll still be due for a veterinary appointment or two in the coming year. Time to get well-versed in your pet's veterinary care needs and kick off 2023 the healthy way!
