2023 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet

You’ve been working hard on your New Year’s resolution–but did you make a list for your pet yet? If not no worries, we’ve got a great starter list for you.

If you’ve been struggling to find an accountability partner for as you embark upon lifestyle changes, look no further than your pet! We’ve got some great ideas to help you make healthy lifestyle changes for your pet that you can both feel good about.

Here’s 5 idea starters for 2023 pet resolutions:

#1 Get Moving with Your New Side-Kick        

Exercise is an important part of our daily routines, no matter if we have two legs or four. Try scheduling workouts around your pet’s play time to ensure that all members of the family are getting their steps in–together! This is an important time for both bonding with your pet and creating healthy habits that will see you both through the new year.

For the bitter Olathe winter months, make sure to check out our tips for keeping your pet safe during cold weather.

#2 Start a Dental Routine

So you’ve never brushed your pet’s teeth before–just like working out–it’s never too late to adopt a new healthy routine. As a first step, schedule a wellness exam for your pet. We can discuss their dental health and show you how to brush your pet’s teeth–don’t worry it’s not as scary as it sounds.

There’s also a lot of great dental-friendly pet treats. Look for dental products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.  Here’s the oral health products we recommend to give your pet that little extra edge on their dental health:

• Products for cats

• Products for dogs

When you bring your pet in for their annual exam we’ll make sure we’re performing a full dental assessment to make sure we catch oral health concerns early. We perform full mouth x-rays with each dental cleaning to make sure we catch any problems hiding under the surface.

#3 Small Swaps

For people an apple a day keeps the doctor away, the same principle applies to your pet. Swap out unhealthy treats for healthier alternatives like fresh green beans. Here’s a list of our favorite healthy treats that we recommend: 

• Many vegetables are healthy treats such as small pieces of carrots, broccoli, zucchini, or green beans.  All can be cooked or raw.  

• Other treats include small pieces of lean chicken or beef or simply pieces of their kibble.  

• Cats like many of these veggies as well.

#4 Target Joint Health

1 in 5 dogs will get arthritis in their lifetime and between 70-90% of cats over the age of 12 will experience arthritis symptoms. Take the proactive approach to joint health with nutraceuticals. Here are our top picks:

• Dasuquin

• Elk velvet antler

• Omega 3 fatty acids

Preventative care promotes a long, healthy life for your pet.

#5 Wellness Exams

It should come as no surprise that wellness exams are key to maintaining pet health. Planning to bring your pet in? We perform a full exam everytime you come in to make sure we’re catching signs of a problem earlier.

We utilize Fear Free techniques to make sure wellness exams are comfortable for both you and your pet. Schedule your exam today.

#6 Mindfulness & Presence

It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. Set aside time that’s just for you and your pet so you can spend present time connecting with them. This one is good for both pets and pet parents! This could be grooming time, or just some regularly scheduled petting time!

Happy New Year!