Working hard to stay true to your list of New Year’s resolutions? You’ll want to remember to make resolutions for your pets as well. We’ve broken down a few goals you might want to make for your best friend in the new year. Read on for diet, exercise, training, and preventative care tips for a healthy and happy 2020!
Diet:
- Cut out the table food. Our pet food is sufficient to maintain a healthy balance of calories, fats, vitamins, and minerals. If you are feeding your pet human snacks, try giving them small amounts of healthy, low-calorie bland foods, such as chicken, green beans, carrots, or canned pumpkin.
- Make changes gradually. Shifting abruptly from one diet to another can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Go slowly. Your pet will adjust better.
- Measure your pet’s food. This will also allow you to keep a better calorie count and prevent over-feeding.
- Give treats in moderation. We all enjoy a cookie or two and your pet is no exception, but don’t overdo it with the treats. They can cause weight gain and digestive issues. And you know what your pet can never get enough of? Praise and love from you.
Exercise
- Make sure your pet is healthy enough for exercise. Always consult with your veterinarian if your pet has joint/mobility, heart, or respiratory issues prior to starting physical activity.
- Start slow and work your way up to the desired goal. Moderate daily exercise may help keep your pet’s joints happy.
- Try to stick to a daily regimen. Daily exercise helps prevent unwanted and destructive behavior. If your pet is bored or too full of energy, they are much more likely to exhibit unwanted behaviors.
Training
- Remember, old dogs can learn new tricks! It’s never too late to work with your pet to redirect unwanted/destructive behavior.
- Do your homework. If you are looking into pet trainers, there is a variety of training methods/classes.
Additional Preventative Care
- Don’t skip out on your pet’s veterinary wellness visit. Your vet may have excellent suggestions to keep your pet healthy and may pick up on potential health changes before they become more serious.
- Microchip your pet if you haven’t already. This is the most effective method we have for united lost pets with their families.
- Make dental hygiene a priority. Brush your pet’s teeth – if your pet allows it – at least every other day and always use veterinary-grade dental products.
- Don’t skip the grooming. Especially for our long-haired friends, grooming is essential. Make sure you are brushing as often as is necessary to prevent matting.
If you need more information about any of the above topics, please call us at 571-434-0250. We’d love to put your pet on the path to wellness!