6 New Year’s Resolutions Every Pet Owner Should Make (and Keep!)
The new year is here! And riding the coattails of last year are the expectations of establishing a new year’s resolution for yourself, an idea as daunting as it is.
But a resolution doesn’t have to be intimidating. Your resolution can be about loving more, caring more, being more attentive to the ones you love, including yourself.
And your pets.
It takes a lot of hard work to properly care for a pet, whether big or small or furry or scaly. Every pet has its own unique needs and desires, which we sometimes forget to attend to when the year gets going and our schedule fills up. That’s where this list can come in handy!
Here are some great reminders and resolutions for you and your pet in the coming new year!
In This Article
1. Get Moving
Prioritize Exercise for Your Pet
Yes, even your lizard needs a little exercise. Getting a good workout looks different for every animal and depends on the age of your particular animal. Did you know that good muscle tone is essential for an iguana’s health? Especially female iguanas, who need to be in good shape to lay eggs. It’s true! Iguanas love to swim and could use a casual dip a couple of times a week to keep agile.
House cats tend to get overweight, so getting your cat a tower or even a treadwheel for walking can improve their health and keep them busy!
Do your research this new year and see what kind of exercise your specific pet needs to stay healthy and happy, and be sure to fit it into your weekly schedule so you can make a good habit of getting your pet into their own good habit.
2. Feed Them Right
Improve Your Pet’s Diet
Many of us feed our pets the cheapest or most convenient pet food, some sort of kibble, grain or pellet. This does the job just fine, but to ensure a healthy pet, you must provide a diverse and nutritious diet for them. For example, hamsters like seeds and nuts but can thrive on a diet that includes fruits and vegetables. Even boiled eggs and mealworms!
Cats and dogs love a lot of food that we humans also love, like sweet potatoes, chicken, carrots and apples. But remember to check to see what your specific breed or species is allergic to! For example, did you know that grapes and raisins are poisonous to dogs? Now you do.
3. Stimulate Their Mind
Mental Enrichment for Pets
Just like we all need something to keep our minds busy and sharp, pets also benefit significantly from a good brain workout. There are many things that we, as pet parents, can do to improve our pets’ mental stimulation; many of us just don’t make the time for it. For example, walking is good for dogs, but walking your dog isn’t enough. Get your dog a treat puzzle to keep themselves entertained, take them to the dog park for some social interaction, get them a trainer or train them at home. No dog is too old to learn new tricks! Have a bird? Many birds are remarkably intelligent and can solve complex puzzles, play with toys, and, as I’m sure you know, even learn new words.
4. Stay Healthy
Schedule Regular Check-ups
I know this is starting to sound a lot like a list for humans, but that’s sort of the point. Animals’ needs are very, very similar to our own! And just as we should all be getting regular check-ups with our doctors (and not waiting until we have a severe injury), our pets should do the same. Or, rather, we should be doing it for our pets.
It’s important to catch things before they get out of hand and to make sure our pets are leading healthy lives so that they can have a long and happy life with us. Ask your vet about what to look out for in your animal, how to give them the best care and make a habit of scheduling vet visits.
5. Pamper Your Pet
Grooming for Health and Happiness
Regular grooming is essential to a pet’s health and happiness. Even reptiles need something in their habitat to help them scratch that pesky itch; rodents need clean water to wash themselves. Furry pets need regular brushing, even if they have shorter hair. Your pet’s groomer not only washes and trims your pet’s hair but can trim their nails and clean any build-up around their eyes, ears and paws. And just like we pay attention to our own mouths, you should pay attention to the health of your animal’s mouth, ensuring they have clean teeth and gums.
6. Stick to the Plan
Make Pet Care a Regular Routine
Again, the whole point of this is to make it a part of your regularly scheduled, day-to-day routine. Add it in and make it a habit — that’s the tricky bit, the resolution bit. Otherwise, it’ll just be another thing or things you do a few times and then stop doing. But to stop once you’ve started would be incredibly disappointing for your pet. So be sure to add it to your calendar. Make a daily alarm for it. Tie a string around your finger! Your pet will be ecstatic about the lifestyle adjustment, and I promise you will, too.