8 New Yearâ€™s Resolutions to Make for a Happy, Healthy Dog

This year, when the clock strikes midnight on January 1^st, instead of making a set of New Year’s resolutions all about yourself, try to focus on your dog. Skip the usual routine of making lofty New Year’s goals for you to lose weight or eat better, only to give up on your resolutions by February. A better option is to shift the focus onto someone or something you care about, like your dog. Your dog can benefit from being healthier and happier for 2017. Here are eight New Year’s resolutions for your four-legged friend.

1. Schedule a Vet Visit

The most important New Year’s resolution to make for your dog is to schedule a yearly vet visit. Your dog’s health can be at optimal levels if you invest in a good routine of preventative care with regular vet visits. Some pets may need to visit the vet more often than once a year, such as senior pups or dogs with chronic conditions. Your vet will recommend any vaccinations that are due, and you’ll get advice about how to keep your pet in top condition. Your pet’s yearly physical examination could also help keep other issues like problem behaviors or pet anxiety from getting out of hand.

2. Start Using Flea and Tick Control

The next New Year’s resolution to set for your dog is to get started with a solid plan for flea and tick control. It’s important to keep your dog protected from parasites like flea and ticks all year long. Some dog owners think that the danger of fleas and ticks is only around during the warmer months of the year. The truth is that fleas and ticks can be present during all four seasons, and your dog will be much more comfortable without having to worry about these obnoxious pests. Try a three-month treatment like Sentry Natural Defense so you don’t have to worry about reapplying medicine each month to your pet.

3. Take Him Out for More Exercise

If you want to be a better dog owner in 2017, it’s also important to get outside and keep your dog active. Giving your dog daily exercise is one of the best ways you can keep him fit and healthy. Not only is regular exercise good for your dog’s cardiovascular health, but it also can keep him from gaining too much weight. Daily walks on a leash are a great start if you’ve inadvertently let your furry friend become a couch potato. The time you spend with your dog outdoors on a hike or around the neighborhood also gives you a great way to bond with your four-legged pal.

4. Switch to a High-Quality Food

Next, it’s time to take a good look at your dog’s diet. If you feed your dog a cheaper brand of pet food from the grocery store, you may want to consider changing to a high-quality food with better ingredients. Some of the lower quality food on the shelves of grocery stores can be bulked up with filler ingredients that may cause health problems for your pet down the road. Choosing a pet food that has a good source of protein as one of the main ingredients is a better plan for your pet’s wellness.

5. Update His Identification Tags

Then, it’s time to take a look at your dog’s identification tags. If he doesn’t have a tag hanging from his collar, spend a few minutes ordering a custom tag for your pup. You can get your name and information engraved on the tag inexpensively. For pets that already have labeled tags, make sure your information hasn’t changed. Update your home address and phone number whenever it changes to safeguard your pet from getting lost.

6. Stop Feeding Him Table Scraps

Your next doggie New Year’s resolution is to stop giving your pup table scraps. Some families slip their furry friend their dinner leftovers each night and don’t realize how harmful this is. First, there are many different foods from the table that could be toxic to your dog, like onions, grapes, chocolate or junk food. Your dog is also less likely to be overweight if you stick with his regular diet of portioned out dog food each day. Feeding your dog from the table can additionally set up a big problem behavior during your dinner time, aggressive begging.

7. Get Into a Regular Grooming Routine

In 2017, make it a point to get your dog into a regular grooming routine. Then, you can help reduce the amount of pet hair that ends up on your furniture, floor and clothes. Some of the hairiest breeds may need a professional grooming schedule, and other dogs can get by with your own grooming technique. Be sure to brush your dog’s fur at least once a week to keep his coat fresh and shiny. Trim his nails with the UGroom Ergonomic Nail Trimmers so he’s comfortable when he’s walking in and around your home. Don’t forget to brush his teeth regularly to help prevent plaque buildup and expensive doggie dental treatments.

8. Explore Local Dog Parks

Finally, the last New Year’s resolution you should make for your dog is to promise to explore your area’s local dog parks more. For those who’ve never been to a dog park, they can be a great way for your dog to get out his excessive energy and meet new canine friends. Regular visits to dog parks can help socialize your pup in a positive way. Many dogs thrive in the social hierarchy atmosphere found in dog parks, and you may see a different side of your dog when he joins the pack temporarily. Dog parks are also a great place for off-leash fun, which helps keep your dog’s fitness goals on track.

If you’ve always struggled to keep up with your own New Year’s resolutions each year, try making new ones for 2017 to help your pet. Your doggie New Year’s resolutions can guide you through healthier habits to start the New Year off right. Then, by year’s end, your pup will be an even better version of himself.