For many, the new year is a time to make resolutions aimed at improving different aspects of their lives, whether it be health, career, finances, spirituality, personal growth or relationships . However, for pet owners, it can also be a great opportunity to reassess the well-being of their four-legged friend and make resolutions dedicated to improving their quality of life.
Dr. Mondrian Contreras, doctor of veterinary medicine and veterinary expert for Pumpkin Pet Insurance suggests ten simple but rewarding New Year’s resolutions that can improve your pet’s health and happiness:
- Make their checkups a priority. It is very important to take your furbaby for an annual health checkup to anticipate any health problems by screening for potential illnesses and reassessing their overall well-being to detect any problems before they become serious, which in turn in turn, makes the treatment more effective.
- Watch their weight. Ensuring your beloved pet is at an ideal weight is crucial, as being overweight can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory distress, heart disease, and osteoarthritis, among other illnesses. . here is a useful table showing suggested ideal weight ranges for different breeds of cats and dogs.
- Get them to exercise more. Regular exercise will not only keep your pet limber, but also help it eliminate excess energy, thereby reducing behavioral problems such as biting, scratching, digging, and inappropriate elimination. Making time for their play routine can also help strengthen your bond by boosting their trust in you. Typically, dogs need 45 minutes to two hours of light to moderate exercise each day. During this time, cats should benefit from a total of 20 to 60 minutes of play per day, ideally divided into 10-minute sessions, as they tend to release energy in short, concentrated bursts.
- Strengthen social behavior. Socialization is essential for your feline and canine companions because it teaches them how to interact in a healthy way with the world around them, including other animals and humans. It also helps build their self-confidence and improves their ability to adapt more easily to various situations (like traveling, guests, etc.).
- Be diligent about pest control. Dogs and cats should be dewormed regularly to keep away internal parasites like tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, roundworms and heartworms. Puppies and kittens require more frequent deworming treatments than their adult counterparts. Your veterinarian should be able to help you determine the best dewormer option for your pet. Preventing external parasites like fleas, ticks and mites is also important throughout the year to protect your pet from skin inflammations, infections as well as any communicable diseases that parasites may carry.
- Prioritize their grooming. Grooming not only keeps their fur detangled and shiny, but also helps remove the buildup of oil, dander, and dirt from the surface of their skin that can clog pores and cause sebaceous cysts. Brushing your pet’s coat daily can also help you detect any suspicious lumps or bumps and detect ear infections, anal gland problems, etc. which might otherwise go unnoticed.
- Pay more attention to their diet. Not all pet foods are equal. Some of the popular options available on the market contain artificial colors, flavor enhancers, and preservatives that have little or no nutritional value. This is why it is imperative to read the ingredient label carefully when purchasing pet food. Ingredients to avoid include corn syrup, sugar, white flour, carrageenan, MSG, butylated hydroxyanisole, sodium nitrite, ethoxyquin, and titanium dioxide, to name a few. some. It is recommended to consult your veterinarian for the best food and diet plan for your pet, as their dietary needs vary depending on their breed, size, health and life stage.
- Pay attention to their oral health. Like in humans, plaque builds up in your pet’s teeth shortly after a meal. If left unchecked, this film hardens into tartar, contributing to painful dental problems such as gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss. To avoid this, have your cat or dog’s teeth and gums checked at least once a year for optimal oral health. Also try brushing your teeth at home or using dental toys and treats to reduce plaque buildup in your mouth.
- Teach your children to take care of themselves. Since caring for a pet is a huge responsibility, it can be a great exercise to teach your children responsibility and cultivate empathy. This will also help develop mutual trust and strengthen the bond between your pet and children. Start by delegating a simple task to the little ones such as filling the water bowl when it is empty or supervised daily playtime to gradually introduce them to this responsibility.
- Give them proper identification of your pet. It’s a good idea to invest in a sturdy collar and ID tag for your pet that includes basic details like their name, your name, your address, your phone number, etc. This can help neighborhood Good Samaritans return them to you quickly, if your pet manages to sneak out. Additionally, Dr. Contreras recommends microchipping your pet. A microchip is a tiny RFID implant used to identify the animal and its owner, making it easier to reunite missing pets with their caregivers. Unlike an ID tag, a microchip is a permanent form of identification that will not break, fall off, or become too worn out for use. Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Microchipping.
Happy Holidays!