At New Year’s Eve parties, or while cuddled up on the couch with your furry family members watching the ball drop, you may have been thinking about what the next year would hold. A new year often means a fresh start, and that may include some well-meaning—but perhaps difficult-to-keep—resolutions. The good news for resolution-making pet lovers is that you can partner with your dog or cat to help reach your goals, and keep your pet healthy at the same time. Here are two common resolutions, and our tips for including your pet in 2020.

Human resolution #1: Managing finances better

Since your cat probably doesn’t have an American Expurress to support her hairband-eating fetish, and your dog can’t put the cost of the after-effects of his garbage binge on his Visla card, you are left footing the bills. The good news—you can stick to your budget, and still take care of your pet’s health. 

Preventive care is good for your pet, and your budget

The importance of preventive care cannot be overemphasized for your pet, and for helping to manage your finances. Ensuring your pet receives all the recommended vaccinations, routine dental cleanings, and flea, tick, intestinal parasite, and heartworm preventives is critical to help prevent diseases that may severely compromise your pet’s health, and which may be more expensive to treat than to prevent. We offer wellness plans that can be tailored to your individual pet, as well as the convenience of payment in monthly installments, rather than a lump sum when her regular exam is due. 

Planning ahead helps you and your pet

Not all diseases or accidents can be avoided with routine preventive care, so you should plan for unexpected expenses. Some people may prefer to take out pet insurance, while others may decide to put aside money each month to keep in reserve specifically for unplanned veterinary expenses. Also, Care Credit, which we accept at our clinic, can provide interim financing. These options can help you take care of your pet’s health, without as much strain on your finances, which can alleviate your own concerns.

Human resolution #2: Being more active

Regular exercise can benefit you and your pet emotionally and physically, especially if you reap those benefits together. Physical activity gives your pet an outlet for excess energy, builds muscle mass and fitness, may prevent behavioral issues, and helps maintain or achieve a healthy weight. Before starting an exercise program, you should bring your pet to our clinic for an exam to ensure she is in good enough health—this is particularly important If your pet is older, or has chronic health issues. Then, to maximize benefits and minimize problems, start with gentle exercise and gradually work up to a more intense workout. 

Exercising with your dog

Many dogs enjoy walking, hiking, swimming, or running with their owners, no matter the time or the weather, and your dog’s excited expectations likely will motivate you to get off the couch when you feel your resolve slipping. If your dog likes to play fetch, you can throw her the ball, and then do lunges, crunches, or other activities while she brings the ball back. In bad weather, you may be able to adjust to an indoor game of fetch while you use your treadmill, or you can train your dog to walk or run on the treadmill. 

Exercising with your cat

Most cats don’t enjoy outdoor activities like dogs, but your cat can still benefit from exercise, and also help keep you motivated. Give her a laser pointer to chase, a feathered wand to stalk, or a cat tree to entice her to jump, while you do your own exercise program. Some cats may also enjoy hunting for food scattered around the house, or in a feeding toy, which also can keep them entertained while you exercise.

Would you like to learn more about our wellness plans? Is your pet due for her regular checkup and preventive care? Are you getting ready to start an exercise program that includes your pet? Our veterinary team wants to see you achieve your resolutions so you and your pet have a healthy 2020. Contact us today.