The New Year - that special time of year when everybody resolves to do something great. Whether it’s for themselves, like getting fit or working less, or for someone else like giving to a special charity, we all find something that we resolve to do better at this special time of year. So why not get our four legged family members on board as well?
Some appropriate New Year’s resolutions for your dog or cat are as follows:
1. Resolve to get your pet spayed or neutered. There are so many benefits to you and your pet when you get them spayed or neutered. From preventing unexpected litters to reduced risks of cancer for your pets, it’s a win-win for everyone.
2. Resolve to take your dog out more often. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood or to the local dog park, the mental stimulation of a change of scenery is beneficial to all well socialized dogs. Being trapped in the same small environment day in and day out is taxing for the mind and soul. Many challenging behaviors like chewing and barking can be minimized and maybe even remedied with added mental stimulation.
3. Resolve to help your dog/cat lose those extra pounds. Just like humans, pets these days seem to have a problem with their weight. Check with your veterinarian to find out how much he/she thinks your pet could stand to lose and ask them what an appropriate diet/exercise program would be for your pet. Just like with people, it will be a challenge, but your dog and cat’s hips and heart will thank you for it! And you will get the added benefit of many more healthy years of companionship.
4. Resolve to make your dog /cat healthier! Make sure your pets are up to date on vaccinations, checked as healthy with your veterinarian, and spayed or neutered! Make an appointment to visit your veterinarian early in the year so that the rest of the year will be ready for adventure.
5. Resolve to include your dog on at least one family vacation this year! Think of the added benefits to your family of finding a vacation where your dog can tag along! Hiking, camping, or visiting a city that allows pets in restaurants will be great for your dog and will also create a new adventure for you and your family.
6. If you don’t have a pet… Resolve to volunteer! As our organization grows to care for more dogs and cats, we need more volunteers to help socialize our shelter animals. With your help as a volunteer, we hope to make 2015 our best year yet! Also, resolve to volunteer as a foster parent! We need families to care for our animals in need that aren’t quite ready to be adopted. As a volunteer and/or foster, you can get the wonderful experience of working with our animals and helping them on their way to finding their new homes.
As you can see, making resolutions for your family pet, means truly making new healthy resolutions for you as well. But unlike those pesky resolutions you set for yourself that seem to always fall away by March, when someone else depends on you to keep themselves rolling, you might just keep up with these! Your health, as well as that of your pet, will benefit from the experience.
Happy New Year’s! Keep your pets and yourselves safe!
