New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect on the past and to look forward to improving you and your dog’s life over the next 365 days. Resolving to lose weight and become healthier for you and your four-footed friend is always at the top of the list. The New Year is also a good opportunity to become more involved in canine activities. Here are some top ten resolutions to add to your doggy New Year’s list:
1. Banish the bulge. If your dog is overweight, resolve to begin a sensible eating program. A study by the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention shows that 45 percent of dogs are overweight, including 9 percent who are obese. Cut down on the amount of food you feed, especially the packaged snacks. Most commercial treats contain too much fat, sugar, and unnecessary calories. If you must give your dog a goody, add some cut-up pieces of fruit or steamed veggies to the food bowl. (But make sure to stay away from grapes, raisins, avocados, and onions, as they can be toxic to pets.)
2. Fit in fitness. Give your dog more exercise. Being active offers many health benefits; studies show that it reduces the risk of some canine cancers, increases life span, maintains weight loss, and even improves arthritis. A daily forty-five-minute walk is ideal, but start off with five minutes and build up slowly. Don’t forget to take a clean-up bag with you and pick up any messes your dog leaves on the street.
3. See new sights. A trip to Grandma’s or an overnight with you to a dog-friendly hotel changes your dog’s routine and eliminates boredom or inappropriate household behavior. Short walks to new neighborhoods, a stroll around an outdoor shopping center, hiking, or a ride to the country all can work wonders.
4. Buckle up. Your dog should always wear a dog safety restraint while riding in the car, and should never sit on your lap or ride loose. Unrestrained dogs can cause an accident and be thrown out of the automobile into traffic. With a small dog, use a doggy booster seat with a harness secured with the car seat belt. Medium and large dogs should always wear a safety harness seat belt in the car.
