2024 Pet Owner Resolutions: 10 Steps to Enhance Your Pet's Well-Being

As a new year opens, many people are inspired to make New Year’s resolutions, or at least to make positive plans for change. This year, we’ve decided to pledge to make some changes not for ourselves, but for our pets. Our list of New Year’s resolutions is a great place to start for anyone who owns and loves a pet and wants to make their pets’ lives easier. We came up with ten excellent resolutions, but you don’t have to commit to them all. Choosing even one or two of our pet-oriented resolutions will make your pets’ lives better in 2018 and beyond.

1. Pay more attention to my pet’s nutritional needs

My dog has been eating the same food since he suffered a bout of pancreatitis several years ago. While it may still be easy on his digestive tract, it may not meet his full nutritional needs now that he’s a senior pet. It’s time for me to have a frank discussion with Soldier’s veterinarian to find out whether I should continue with the same food or switch to something that focuses on the needs of an older dog.

In the past few years, Soldier’s weight has crept up on him (and me), so I will also need to reevaluate how many treats I’m giving him throughout the day. He isn’t nearly as active as he used to be due to arthritis, an enlarged heart and other problems. Which leads me to another of my New Year’s resolutions.

2. Add the appropriate supplements to Soldier’s diet

I take vitamins every day to supplement my own diet, so I should certainly do the same for my pet. Just as Soldier’s diet needs have changed, so has his need for specific supplements. Glucosamine Chondroitin can help soothe his aching joints and bring down the inflammation that plagues his hips and knees. There are supplements that can also help with Soldier’s Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. I want to give my dog the best possible chance of enjoying his twilight years without the confusion and fear that are often a part of CDS.

3. Commit to making my pet’s walks more enjoyable

Soldier may not be able to walk as far as he used to, but he still looks forward to every outing. I’m as guilty as anyone of occasionally wanting to rush my pet through his walks, particularly when the temperatures dip into the single digits. But for Soldier, these outings are one of the most exciting aspects of his day. He wants to linger every few feet to savor the scents and sights along the way. So, I’m committing to longer walks with less rushing and to changing up the route periodically to give him some new territory to explore.

4. Find new ways to entertain my pet

This is one of the most important New Year’s resolutions we can make for any pet, but particularly older ones like my Soldier. He may be forgetting a few of his old tricks, but he is still capable of learning some new ones. Training should never be neglected; ideally, it’s an ongoing interaction between your pets and you that will continue to grow and challenge your pets’ intellect throughout their lives. Another way to challenge and entertain your pet is using puzzle toys and feeding mats that stimulate his interest while slowing down his eating. There are a lot of indoor games you can play even with older pets, including these great games found at Rescue Dogs 101.

5. Make a well visit appointment with the veterinarian

This may be the most important of my New Year’s resolutions for Soldier. While the vet always sees Soldier when he’s sick or has a problem like a bad tooth or an allergy flair-up, he rarely sees Soldier at his best. Experiencing Soldier at his best will give the veterinarian a true baseline to compare to when Soldier is ill or injured.

6. Improve and maintain my pet’s dental health

Everyone’s New Year’s resolutions for pets should include proper dental care.

Dental problems are the number one cause of health complications in pets. Why? Because so many pet owners don’t realize that their pets’ teeth should be brushed daily. As a result, plaque builds up and leads to gum disease. Although I do try to keep Soldier’s teeth clean, I must confess I don’t do it every day. I’m resolving to keep the brushing on track in the new year. If you aren’t sure how to brush your dog’s or cat’s teeth, consult with your veterinarian. It’s also a good idea to have an annual dental exam so that any periodontal disease is discovered and treated early.

7. Introduce my pet to new friends

Humans can meet and spend time with as many people as they’d like to. Not so for dogs – they rely on their owners to take them to dog parks, introduce them to other dogs, arrange play dates or enroll them in pet daycare. If you haven’t introduced your pet to a new playmate recently, now is the time. Broadening the social circle of your pets will give them more exercise, more mental stimulation and more companionship.

8. Prepare a health/care file for my pet

Sometimes I travel and need to leave Soldier in someone else’s care. While I always take the time to go over the details of feeding and caring for Soldier, I also provide them with all the information they might need in the event of an emergency, including contact info for the veterinarian, my parents, my husband and others. I also include Soldier’s prescriptions, a list of allergies, vaccination records and more so that if he becomes ill, an emergency vet can treat him properly.

Cleaning your pets’ belongings is crucial to their health.

9. Regularly clean and disinfect my pet’s belongings

Pets may be less selective about what they drink or eat out of (after all, lots of dogs love drinking out of the toilet!), but as owners we need to protect them from dirt and germs that could affect their health. Even if a bowl looks clean after you rinse it, if you don’t clean it with hot, soapy water every few days it will become a breeding ground for all kinds of viruses and bacteria. The same goes for chew toys, bedding and stuffies. If something isn’t washable, replace it when it becomes worn or dirty.

10. Take a pet first aid course

While I’ve always been able to rely on the expertise of our veterinarian, he is located a half-hour from our home. If Soldier becomes suddenly ill, is injured in an accident, falls into our swimming pool or has a cardiac event, he may not make it to an emergency vet. This year I’ll sign up and make sure I take some pet first aid courses and learn pet CPR. If tragedy strikes, I want to be prepared to save his life.

What will your New Year’s resolutions be for you and your pets?