As the New Year is upon us and 2019 comes to a close, now is the perfect time to start making New Year’s Resolutions for yourself and your furry friends. Like us, your pets can always benefit from improvements to their lifestyles and wellness routines. This is why we ask that you consider your pets while making your New Year’s resolutions this year. Like us, your pets can always benefit from improvements to their lifestyles and wellness routines.

Here are some New Year’s resolution ideas from the experts at Zany Pet Shop, to promote a happier and healthier lifestyle for you and your pooch.

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet

Add an Extra Walk to Your Week

If your resolution for 2020 is to get in shape, why not bring your pet along? Adding more walks, or a longer walk, to your exercise regimen is a great way to improve your health and offers amazing benefits for your dog. Not only to walks provide exercise, but they also provide enrichment to your dog’s lives through new smells and sounds.

If your planning on starting your walks during the winter months, contact your veterinarian to make sure that your pet is comfortable in the cold. You may want to purchase certain paw care products, booties, or even a jacket to help your pooch stay warm and reduce the chance of paw irritation from extreme cold or rock salt.

Perform a Diet Audit

Many pet owners ‘eyeball’ their pet’s daily food intake, and pour into the bowl without measuring. This can result in overfeeding and weight gain for your pet. The New Year is the perfect time to evaluate how much you’re feeding your pet, compared to how much they actually need. We suggest that instead of ‘eyeballing’ the food, you should use a measuring cup to ensure that your pet is receiving the proper amount of food during meal times. Your pet food bag can provide general guidance, but your veterinarian can advise better on the proper portions.

In addition, the New Year is also a great time to make sure that your pet is eating the proper food for their age and nutritional requirements. Choosing a diet that is tailored to your pet’s life-stage and needs is a great way to keep them in optimal health.

Take Care of those Teeth

One of the best things that you can do for your pet is to establish an at-home dental care routine. Begin by purchasing a toothbrush and brushing your pet’s teeth just a few nights a week to get them used to it, and then work your way up to daily brushings. Don’t get frustrated or give up! Sometimes a slow introduction, with a lot of positive reinforcement is exactly what your pup needs. In addition, it’s important to have your veterinarian evaluate your pet’s teeth, as a professional cleaning or more advanced dental work may be needed.

Don’t forget your cats, your feline friends can benefit from teeth brushing just as much as your dogs can!

Schedule a Wellness Exams

We understand that it can be tempting to skip that annual veterinary appointment, especially when your pet appears to be healthy. However regular wellness appointments are critical to ensuring that your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life. Yearly veterinary examinations are a key component of preventative care. Many conditions such as diabetes, arthritis or obesity are common in aging pets and are much easier to manage when detected in the early stages.

Try a Puzzle Feeder

Small changes can sometimes improve our pets’ day-to-day life the most. An easy way to engage your dog or cat in play is to revamp mealtime with a puzzle feeder. Puzzle toys help to increase your pet’s mental stimulation and overall daily life enrichment. Switching up how you deliver your pet’s meal by using a puzzle feeder can be an easy way to improve your pet’s life and encourage good behavior.

Don’t miss our Holiday Sale happening NOW! Receive 15% off at checkout using the promo code: HOLIDAYSALE

Have a Safe and Happy New Year from Zany Pet Shop!