The New Year is the perfect time for setting goals and starting afresh. And while setting goals for ourselves such as losing weight, getting more exercise or eating less processed food are all worthy ambitions, our pets are often overlooked in our New Year’s resolutions. And with the love and joy that they bring us every day, we believe that the health and happiness of our furry friends should be among our top priorities for the New Year ahead.

There are many ways that we can improve the lives of our cats and dogs and the New Year is a great time to get started. Here are some ideas of resolutions you can set for the year 2023.

Try to be home more

Your dog or cat would love nothing more than to see your face. Whether you’re at work, out with friends, or on a grocery run, they miss you. Heck, they miss you when you’re taking the garbage out. Think of how much you can stand to gain by spending a little more time around the house with your pet:

• Less impulse spending and money spent on dinners or drinks out
• More time to read, learn new skills, or try out a new hobby
• Decrease your stress levels just by cuddling with your pet during a movie on the couch

Improve your pet’s training

Having a pet that is well-trained, obedient, happy, relaxed and responsive means that they will be easier to manage and be safer in potentially dangerous situations.You will also get more pleasure from being a pet parent and as a result, will likely be closer with your fur baby.

Try a new activity

They say that one of the most important factors in successfully achieving a goal of getting more exercise is to find something you love doing. And this is also true of our pets! So why not try a new activity with your furry friend? It’s easier than ever for you to incorporate your dog or cat into a new exercise routine. You’ll both have great fun and achieve your goal of getting more exercise too! 

If you walk more on a casual basis, you’ll find yourself doing more activities with your pet like hiking, swimming, or throwing the ball in the park. That daily thirty minute walk will help you reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and so much more, while making your dog the happiest pup on the block. 

Schedule a check-up with your vet

Have your veterinarian examine your pet at least once a year to make sure he or she is healthy and to help detect any potential problems early. Making sure your pet is healthy will only help keep them with you longer.

Update your pet’s ID info

Maybe you’ve recently moved to a new house, changed your phone number or maybe your pet has lost their ID tag? Now is the time to ensure that your pet has an up to date tag and microchip information. It’s the best way to ensure a lost pet makes their way safely home.

Drink more water

Staying hydrated is key for your pet's health and your own. Remember to refresh your furry friend's water bowl daily and when you see them taking a sip, don't forget to take one yourself. Drinking water helps regulate body temperature, flush waste and bacteria, and promotes overall wellbeing.

Clear out old toys

Just as we need to clear out our clutter from time to time, we sometimes need to do the exact same thing for our pets. Take a fresh look at your pet’s toy collection and stop holding on to old, worn-out, and often germ-infested pet toys. Now’s the perfect time to do a good clear out and to give your pet something fun and new to play with. Out with the old, in with the new!

Make memories with your pets

Have you ever noticed how happy your dog gets the second he gets in the car and realizes he’s on his way to a good place? Sticking his face out to sniff the air on the way to the dog park or running to the place where you hang the leash because you said you’d take him for ice cream. That’s because your dog remembers how happy he was the last time you did that amazingly fun thing!

Making an effort to create new and lasting memories with your pet this year will make 2023 the best year yet!