New Year’s resolutions help to address a lack, loss, or slide in certain areas of life. The clearer and more precise the resolution, the easier it is to attain. To help pet owners not only create New Year’s pet resolutions, but keep them, we offer this list of attainable New Year’s pet resolutions.
Part of the Plan
If the goal is to establish and maintain a pet’s optimal health and happiness, it’s a good idea to look at the whole picture. Viewing a pet’s current health through the lens of future improvements can help owners design realistic resolutions. For example, if a pet has recently gained weight, a clear resolution might be to establish a weight loss plan so that your pet can enjoy longer runs or more rigorous trails with less chance of injury.
Start Simply
To get the most basic handle on a pet’s health right now, we encourage scheduling a wellness exam. This time can be used not only to your pet’s advantage (whether they agree with this or not), but can also provide information about your pet’s current life stage, nutritional requirements, behavioral concerns, and more.
Scheduling an annual wellness exam can be, in and of itself, a profound New Year’s pet resolution. Staying ahead of any age-related or lifestyle health challenges is definitely part of the plan. Early detection can lead to effective treatment, and may even promote greater vitality and longevity. Together, we can maximize the time you and your pet have (which makes this a mutually-beneficial New Year’s goal).
Pet Wellness 2025
Increasingly common among pets over age three, periodontal disease can be prevented with regular brushing and routine cleanings under anesthesia. Of all the possible New Year’s pet resolutions, creating and upholding pet dental care is one of the most influential on long-term health and wellness.
Your pet will enjoy flashing their white teeth and fresh breath, but the added bonus is that systemic illness, including heart and liver disease, is greatly reduced with plaque and tartar removal.
Pet Health Tips
Some pets prioritize physical workouts more than mental ones, but they both have the potential to reduce boredom and frustration, and promote happiness. Once you know exactly how much physical exercise they need to stay trim and fit, the new year is the perfect time to add puzzle toys and other mental challenges to the routine. If you are creating your own scent work tests, scavenger hunts, or agility courses, the real incentive is the strengthened bond between you and your pet.
Healthy Pet Habits
Most pets are highly motivated by food. Use this to your advantage by offering them fresh fruits and veggies as rewards. Healthy foods can help with good digestion and promote cardiovascular health, and may eventually be preferred over pre-packaged treats in 2025. If you have questions about your pet’s diet and their age-appropriate nutritional needs, please reach out. We love helping pets achieve a balanced, complete diet.
Happy New Year
We are happy to be your partners in pet health, and look forward to helping you achieve your New Year’s pet resolutions. Happy New Year from all of us at Kestrel Veterinary Hospital.