Since we always feel
the urge, or the guilt, to make a New Year’s Resolution, why shouldn’t our dogs
follow suit? Making a New Year’s resolution is a great way to create a positive
lifestyle change, and since our pets are like family, it seems only right that
we help them improve their health and happiness too.
But what does a New
Year’s resolution for a dog look like? Essentially, it should revolve around
improving their health, bettering their lives and even helping others. Whether
you want your pooch to get fit or think they could benefit from learning a new
trick or two, these canine resolutions are sure to help your dog lead a better
life in 2018.
Improve their exercise regime
Promising to get more exercise can help us
get fitter and lose weight — and according to a ComRes report, becoming more
active is the most popular New Year’s resolution for humans.
How do you help your dog with this
resolution? Why not:
·
Pick a new, exciting dog-walking
place every couple of weeks, like a wooded area or around a lake.
·
Treat them to new toys to make
your daily walks more fun.
·
Spend an extra 15 minutes every
day throwing a ball for them in the back garden.
·
Look for places that offer dog
swimming sessions — one of the best forms of cardio that also strengthens and
tones your dog’s muscles.
Arthritis, diabetes and obesity can all be
kept at bay with improved exercise. So, increasing how much activity your dog
does every day is a great canine resolution to help prolong their life.
Volunteer your dog for pet therapy sessions
Instead of looking just at resolutions that
can help your dog lead a better life, why not consider one that helps other? If
your dog loves people and has a good temperament, team up with them and join an
animal therapy programme! It could even be a joint New Year’s resolution.
Many medical experts think that pet therapy
is an extremely effective tactic when used to improve mental, emotional and
physical recovery rates. Organisations, such as Pet Partners, help volunteers and their
pets visit schools, hospitals and assisted-living facilities to improve lives
through the human-animal bond. Some of the benefits include: lowering anxiety, lifting
spirits, encouraging communication, increasing joint movement, decreasing blood
pressure, and improving focus and self-confidence.
So, help your dog make a difference this
year and sign them up to assist those in need.
Book more frequent grooming appointments
Long-haired dogs and particular breeds need
regular grooming, but that doesn’t mean your short-haired, lower-maintenance
pooch should go without frequent baths and brushes!
Ideally, your dog should enjoy a bath once
a month, with a brushing regime of three times a week. You might not know it,
but regular brushing offers a host of health benefits, including removing
grease, aerating the fur to help it grow and improving blood circulation. The
action is also thought to reduce stress levels in dogs and can prevent skin
complaints (caused by matted hair).
If your dog isn’t a fan of baths, this
might be a tough resolution to stick to — for both of you! But considering it
could save you money on professional grooming and help improve the health and
comfort of your pet, it’s worth persevering.
Give them a better diet
Have you ever felt swamped by the huge
range of dog food available at your local supermarket? In the UK, there are all
kinds of dog food varieties, including types depending on size, breed, age, and
special requirements. So, how do you know you’re making the right choice? If
your pooch has put on weight recently, is lacking in energy or doesn’t have the
same thick and shiny coat it once had; it could be down to their diet. 2018
should be your year to select the best dog food for them!
Carry out research to find out what’s
available and which will work best for your dog. For example, options such as grain-free
dog food can provide more energy than standard dog food. Plus, it can help
your dog stay fuller for longer — a major advantage if you’re trying to help
your dog lose weight as part of their canine resolution!
Nutrition is vital to improving your dog’s
health and lifespan. According to the FEDIAF — the European Pet Food Industry
Federation — dogs need 37 essential nutrients (including vitamins, fatty acids
and amino acids) in their daily food intake. Promise that this year, you’ll
choose healthy dog treats and not give your dog your leftovers. Also, try buying
a measuring cup when filling their bowl to ensure you don’t overfeed them and
remember the following foods are poisonous to dogs and should not be in their
diet:
·
Grapes, raisins, currants and
sultanas.
·
Chocolate.
·
Onions.
·
Cheese and milk.
Help them learn something new
What’s that they say about old dogs and new
tricks? Ignore it. This year is the year you and your pooch are going to learn
a few new tricks. Dogs have the ability to get just as bored as we do, so
they’re sure to be up for this canine resolution if it means spending more time
with you while doing something productive.
Here, we’ve found a few of our favourite
dog tricks for you to try with your pet:
·
High-five.
·
Putting away their own toys.
·
Tucking themselves in at night.
·
Opening doors by themselves.
·
Ringing bells when they want to
go for a walk.
Learning new tricks is a great way to bond
with your dog and keep them mentally active in 2018!
Pick one, two or more of these resolutions
and make this a stand-out year for your dog.
Twitter | Facebook | Youtube| Blog Lovin | Instagram