New Year’s Eve is around the corner, so it’s time to come up with goals you want to tackle for this year. New Year’s means you get a fresh new start to achieve a happier, healthier you. But that doesn’t mean one has to go at it alone. It’s a lot easier when you have a buddy every step of the way. Luckily, this year you have a furry sidekick waiting to be your partner and motivator. Here are 5 Pet Parents’ New Year’s resolutions that you and your pet can accomplish together.
1. Eating healthy
There’s no better way to motivate you to eat healthier than by having your pet join in on the journey. Good eating habits are just as important to people as it is for pets. One way to help you and your pet eat better together is by checking the nutrition facts of the food you and your pet are consuming. It is important to consider how much natural versus unnatural ingredients there are in your food so you know you are putting in as much of the good stuff as possible.
Also, the right portions are crucial, especially for calorie-dense food such as protein and carbs. The amount of food you and your pet should consume depends on lifestyle. A more active lifestyle may need more calories, while a stationary lifestyle may need less. Consuming excessive amounts of calories regularly is detrimental to you and your pet’s health.
2. Turn crunch time to playtime
Playtime is fun-time! So why not have more of it? If exercising is one of your goals, there’s no better way to exercise than by playing with your furry pals! A healthy exercise regimen for adults is at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Though this may seem like a lot of time, one simple way to complete this is to do 30 minutes five times a week. You can make exercise time even more fun by including your furry pal! Since adult dogs need at least 30 minutes of playtime per day, you can kill two birds with one stone by spending that time actively playing with your pup.
3. Safety and security
A happy, healthy new year means knowing you and your loved ones are safe and secure. But sometimes, worrying about the safety of you and your loved ones can get in the way of doing things you want to do such as traveling or making a day trip away from home. If you’ve got some wanderlust this new year, but you’re worried about your pets being home alone, consider getting a pet monitor such as the iFamCare Helmet that lets you see your pets everywhere you go.
Another way to keep you and your loved ones safe is to consider having an emergency plan. Knowing that you are prepared for anything that may come up gives you a sense of security that you and your loved ones will be safe. An emergency plan should have a designated meeting spot and an updated list of contacts. Most importantly, there should be designated people for emergency kits, pets, and valuables. Having an emergency plan will ensure that you and your loved ones are all safe and sound for what the new year has in store.
4. Grooming for you and your pet
Lookin’ good is the first step conquering the new year. Nothing gives you a boost of confidence like a fresh new haircut or a nice mani-pedi. While you’re at it, make your furry new year’s resolution sidekick look good as well. Cats and dogs need regular grooming as part of a healthy routine. Brushing gets rid of excess fur and distributes natural oils throughout their skin, keeping it looking shiny and healthy. It also gets rid of dirt and excess oil that gets trapped under matted hair that can cause painful skin infections.
In addition to brushing, cats and dogs also need nail trimming. Long nails can interfere with walking and can also scratch up your furniture. However, clipping a pet’s nails can be a daunting task because it requires them to hold still for a period of time. Dogs tend to do better than cats with this since they respond better to treats than cats do. But over time, you will figure out the best strategies to execute those paw-dicures. Each breed of pets have different requirements for grooming, so be sure to do your research and consult a professional to best meet your pet’s needs.
5. Go out more!
There are so many amazing adventures out there that you and your furry pal can do together. Spend this upcoming year satisfying your inner adventurer with the best pet ever by your side. Explore a new trail with your dog or visit a cute little park with your cat. You can also check out the new restaurant downtown with a pet-friendly patio! New places mean new memories to add to the new year. Your pet will love spending quality time with you wherever you go.
