New Year’s Resolutions for Pet Owners: Commitments for a Healthier Pet

New Year, new you, new…pet?

Here at East Sacramento Veterinary Center, we believe in setting New Year’s pet resolutions for our furry family members. It’s only a little more work for us, and it comes with big benefits, like improvements to our pets’ wellbeing—and ours.

Here are some New Year pet tips to get you started on creating a healthy pet lifestyle for the months ahead.

3 New Year Pet Health Resolutions to Try

1. Set a New Pet Fitness Goal

For pets and people alike, it’s important to stay active. Our physical and mental well-being depends on it! But we know it can be hard to squeeze in a daily exercise session. Especially if you’re trying to drag yourself to the gym for the first time since last January.

Instead of making a fitness goal yours alone to meet, why not make it a resolution to include your furry family member?

You could aim to take Fido for a 30-minute walk five times a week. Or teach your kitty to walk on a leash and join you for a jaunt in the fresh air every day. She might not love it at first, but who knows? Maybe she’ll warm up to the idea as it becomes routine. 

2. Reevaluate Your Pet’s Nutrition

If your pet is looking a little fluffier than usual, now might be a great time to focus on your pet’s nutrition. Proper nutrition is the foundation of any healthy pet lifestyle, so talk to your veterinarian and review your pet’s diet. Does it meet his or her specific needs? Are there any adjustments to make based on your pet’s weight, age, or health status?

A fun goal to try is to offer your pet a healthy treat three times per week.

Dogs can benefit from eating fruits and veggies, including:

• Carrot sticks
• Blueberries
• Green beans
• Sweet potatoes
• Pumpkin

Plain, unseasoned, and cooked chicken or turkey make excellent options. These treats are all low in calories and high in nutrients. With trial and error, you’ll discover your pet’s favorites—and you can use those instead of richer treats for your training sessions! 

3. Strengthen Your Bond

One of the simplest and most rewarding pet owner goals is to set aside time to bond with your pet every day. If you have young kids at home or have been extra busy at work, your pet might need a little extra TLC. This could mean more cuddle time, grooming sessions, or time spent practicing tricks.

Involve the whole family in these pet-bonding sessions and watch how everyone in the family reaps the benefits of a deeper connection. 

Let Us Help You Keep Your Pet Care Resolutions 

Setting resolutions is one thing. Sticking to them all year long is another. With help from our dedicated veterinary team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center, you and your pawsome pals can stay on track. Call us at (916) 737-5670 to schedule a wellness appointment. Together, we’ll kick off the new year with healthy pet goals that benefit everyone!