Going Over Some Different New Year’s Resolutions You Can Make For Your Pets To Give Them A Healthier & Happier Life In 2024
2024 is finally here! With the new year comes a fresh start for all of us and the way we live our lives. One of the most common traditions of the new year is setting up new year’s resolutions. This is a great way to instill better habits and behavior for the rest of the year.
However, many people forget that their pets can also have new year’s resolutions! Obviously, it’s up to the pet owner to implement these pet resolutions. But, that doesn’t make them any less meaningful or significant. This article will discuss some great new year’s resolution ideas for your pets so they can live a healthier and happier life in 2024.
What Is A New Year’s Resolution
A new year’s resolution can be defined as a promise that a person makes to themselves for the purpose of positive change and/or self improvement. This usually includes a person continuing a good practice, accomplishing a personal goal, changing an undesired behavior, or otherwise improving their overall behavior.
New Year’s resolutions
The Importance Of New Year’s Resolutions
New year’s resolutions are important because they inspire positive change. Change can be difficult for most people. Oftentimes, making positive changes in one’s life can initially be difficult. The first step is usually the hardest.
However, once you begin making positive changes, it’s much easier to keep them going. New year’s resolutions help us make that difficult first step toward improving ourselves and our overall behavior.
Resolutions For Your Pets
While we make our new year’s resolutions, it’s important to make some for our pets too! As responsible pet owners, it’s our responsibility to give our pets the best life possible. This includes setting personal health goals for them too.
Here are just a few examples of new year’s resolutions for pets. But, remember that pets can’t meet these goals by themselves. Most of this responsibility falls on the pet owner. However, this can be a good thing as it reminds pet owners to meet their own goals too!
A dog & owner going for a walk
Daily Exercise
Pets need exercise on a daily basis in order to stay happy and healthy. This is especially true for dogs. That’s why we recommend taking your dog for walks everyday. Ideally, try to walk your dog 3 to 4 times a day for about 15 to 30 minutes. If that doesn’t work for your schedule, then at least 2 walks a day for about 30 minutes.
Always take your dog’s breed, age, and environment into account when going for dog walks. Certain breeds of dogs do better on walks than others. Additionally, senior dogs may not be capable of taking long walks, so adjust accordingly. Also, be mindful about the temperature and weather before taking your dog for walks.
As for cats, the best way to provide them with exercise is through playtime. Unless you have trained your cat to go on walks, playtime is your best option. Make it a point to spend at least 15 to 30 minutes a day playing with your cat. Try utilizing different toys or play areas that peak your cat’s interest. The more running around, the better.
More Stimulation
Besides physical exercise, pets also need mental stimulation to live a happy & healthy life. Daily walks provide great mental stimulation for dogs as they get to smell new things, see new people/pets, and it provides a change of scenery.
Additionally, cats need stimulation too. Similar to exercise, the best way to mentally stimulate your cat is through playtime. Try using a variety of toys, play areas, and even catnip to engage your cat. Even the most docile cat has an inner kitten just waiting to pounce on the closest toy!
A cat eating a healthy meal
Healthier Diet
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the U.S. are overweight and/or obese. These are shockingly high numbers that truly reflect the severity of the pet obesity problem in America.
That’s why we recommend putting your pets on a healthier diet for 2024. If your pet is overweight and/or obese, consult with your veterinarian about creating a healthier diet for your furry friend. For a more in-depth look into dog food nutrition & diet, click here. For a more in-depth look into cat food nutrition & diet, click here.
Need A Dog Walker Or Pet Sitter?
If you or someone you know is looking for pet sitting or dog walking services, then look no further than Paws & Claws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking! We service the Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and West San Jose areas. Click here to contact us or give us a call at 408-752-2997.
Additionally, be sure to check us out on social media too! We post regularly on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update or adorable picture of the many pets we care for.
