Ring in the New Year: Our Top 6 Resolutions for Pets in 2017
If you’re a pet owner, the start of a new year isn’t just about you. 2017 provides us with the perfect opportunity to reflect on the ways we can improve the health and happiness of our treasured four-legged friends.
Many of the same resolutions you might make for your own health and wellness can be extended to your fur babies! Your friends at The Whole Pet Vet have put together some simple ideas for resolutions for pets that we hope you will find useful and inspiring.
1. Get More Exercise
With the national obesity epidemic now affecting our pets, it’s more imperative than ever that we make sure our pets are getting some form of exercise each and every day. A walk through the neighborhood, rousing game of fetch or tug-of-war, or a laser pointer or feather chase session are fun ways to burn calories and bond with your pet at the same time.
2. Shore Up that Diet
Good nutrition is important to many people, and this level of concern should be extended to our pets as well. Avoid giving your pets table scraps and overindulging in treats, and follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for a high quality pet food.
3. Make Wellness a Priority
The beginning of 2017 is the perfect time to make a commitment to your pet’s wellness. If your pet has missed a few wellness appointments, we can help him or her get back on track. Regular wellness visits not only allow us to catch potential illnesses or conditions before they become major problems, they also keep your pet up-to-date with his or her vaccines and parasite prevention.
4. Care for Those Pearly Whites
Good oral hygiene is a cornerstone of your pet’s overall health and wellness. Dental disease affects the majority of dogs and cats by the time they are 3 years of age, and can have disastrous effects on their health and happiness. You can make positive impacts in this area with daily (or at least regular) tooth brushing and professional dental cleanings. Give us a call for more information.
5. Groom Regularly
Regular grooming will help your pet look his or her best, but the health benefits extend far beyond good looks. Bathing, brushing, nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal sac expression (when necessary) should be regular occurrences for your pet.
6. Pet Proof Your Home and Yard
Take a discerning look around your home and yard and remove or secure any potential pet toxins, including people food, household chemicals, antifreeze, and poisonous plants.
Get Creative with Resolutions for Pets
There’s no limit to the ways you can create a better environment for your precious pets! If we’ve missed some New Year’s resolutions for pets, feel free to post them on our Facebook page or mention your ideas to us the next time you’re in the office. We hope to see you and your pet soon!