Happy New Year! As we officially say goodbye to the holiday season and head back to work, many of us are committed to new routines and chasing new goals. Maybe the new year is your reset to eat healthier, workout more, learn a new skill, or save more money. As you start working toward your resolutions, don’t forget about your canine companion. If you think about it, many common resolutions we set for ourselves can also apply to our pets. So, here are some ways we can help our pups lead healthier and happier lives in 2025:
1. Improve Diet
What do you feed your dog? Just like you, your furbaby needs to eat a well-balanced diet. Some benefits:
- Promotes Overall Well-Being And Longevity
- Benefits Body Weight
- Increases Immunity
- Decreases Risk Of Certain Cancers
- Promotes Heart Health
- Promotes Good Skeletal Health And Muscle Tone
- Aids In Healthy Digestion
- Promotes Healthy Skin And Coat
If you’re currently feeding a traditional kibble then consider changing to something less processed. As more pet parents show interest in fresher foods, we’re starting to see more healthy options. A few great examples: If you travel a lot and like the convenience of dry food then check out Sundays for Dogs or Spot & Tango’s Unkibble. The Honest Kitchen offers some great wet foods! Or, perhaps you try a fresh food delivery service, like The Farmer’s Dog (this is what I’ve fed my dogs for years and still love it). Or if you choose to cook for your dog, check out balancing supplements, like BalanceIt!
If you’re already feeding fresh food then maybe this is your year to bump up your dog’s bowl with additional supplements. For example, Native Pet makes a great probiotic supplement.
2. Focus on Dental Health
Dental health is one thing many dog parents neglect. According to VCA Hospitals, “Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians. Over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease.” Not only does poor oral health lead to inflamed gums and bad breath, but all that bacteria can enter the bloodstream and impact your dog’s heart (along with other organs). Here are some things you can do this year to help improve your pup’s oral health – and keep their teeth pearly white.
- BRUSH: Start brushing your dog’s teeth. I know this sounds like a pain in the butt, but it’s actually not time-consuming. In my house, I brush my dogs’ teeth every night before bed … right after I brush my own. Find out more about how to brush your dog’s teeth HERE.
- BRUSHING TOYS: Provide teeth-brushing toys that feature ridges/grooves/spikes in varying sizes/angles. They’re designed to brush against teeth/gums as they chew, helping to grind off any plaque or tartar.
- CHEWS: Consider giving your dog appropriately sized raw/meaty bones (never cooked bones – they’re too brittle and can splinter), bully sticks, and/or yak chews. Gnawing away on these chews is a great way to scrape the teeth and help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation.
- NATURAL DENTAL STICKS: I’m not a huge fan of most store-bought dental chews, as they’re filled with less-than-desirable ingredients. But, I recently found THESE all-natural dental chews!
- WATER ADDITIVES: I’m also not a huge fan of water additives. However, I can get behind the brand Teef!, which is a patented prebiotic supplement that encourages good bacteria in the mouth to flourish, while eliminating bad bacteria. Check it out HERE.
3. Provide Physical Stimulation
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 54% of dogs in the United States are considered overweight or obese. So, this year, let’s focus on getting our dogs some daily exercise! This could be as simple as grabbing your pup’s leash and taking a daily stroll around your neighborhood. But, if you prefer group workouts for accountability, look into joining a local pack walk! You can also sign up for a local agility class and really have some fun! Honestly, the activity doesn’t matter as long as your pooch is moving and using energy.
4. Provide Daily Mental Stimulation
Along with moving our dog’s body, there’s another type of exercise our pups need. It’s called mental stimulation and, just like it sounds, it literally means you’re exercising your dog’s mind. Like people, dogs get bored. And do you know what happens when a dog gets bored? Yup! They find creative ways to amuse themselves. (In ways we usually don’t like. Think: excessive barking, destructive chewing, digging holes, etc.) Some ways to mentally stimulate your pup:
- GAMES: Offer interactive games and puzzle toys, where your dog needs to fire up his brain and figure out how to unleash the tasty reward hiding inside
- TRAINING: Carve out time to work on new tricks
- WALKS: Slow down on daily walks around your community and let your pup sniff around
5. Don’t Skip Annual Vet Visits
Just like we see our primary care doctors once a year for a physical exam, it’s recommended that our canine companions see their doctors (AKA the veterinarian) once a year for a check-up (or twice a year for seniors). By thoroughly checking your dog’s health, and updating these records each year, it gives you and your vet a baseline of your dog’s health status. Knowing what is normal is key to recognizing anything that may change or become abnormal. These regular check-ups can help you uncover a disease or condition before your dog ever shows signs of illness. Early detection can make a huge difference in treatment, recovery, and cost!
Additionally, make sure your dog’s vaccinations and/or titers are up-to-date. While I’m certainly not a fan of over-vaccinating (which is why I recommend titer tests before boosters), protection is important. Depending on where you live, your fur baby could be exposed to various preventable diseases.
6. Start a Pet Savings Account
Vet visits can be EXPENSIVE! And, throughout the year, you may find yourself at the vet more than once. Each year, as allergy season begins, my Chihuahua usually scratches away at an ear infection. So, off to the vet we go. One time, my Chihuahua also accidentally stepped into a fire ant hill. So, again, off to the vet we went. Accidents happen. But, are you financially prepared for them? If you’re someone who invests in pet insurance then you already have some protection. But, if you don’t have an insurance plan then consider getting one OR open up a new savings account specifically for your pets. Come up with a dollar amount and add to your savings account every month. That way, in case an emergency strikes, you don’t have to stress about the bills as much.
7. Commit to Training
Not only does a well-trained and well-mannered dog make your life a lot easier, but it also benefits your dog in many ways.
- Strengthens the human-animal bond
- Builds confidence
- Provides stimulation
- Safety – For example, in certain situations, understanding the ‘Leave It’ and ‘Come’ commands can actually be a lifesaver.
- Socialization – You can take well-trained dogs to more places, allowing them to experience more.
This year, commit to a training routine that works with your schedule. Work on basic commands and fun tricks! And, yes, an old dog can learn new tricks.
Happy New Year!
