New Years is just around the corner, and with the New Year, comes many new beginnings! Do you have any goals set for the New Year? I bet you do!

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on your life and become more pro-active about things you want to change or improve upon for the upcoming year. Why not, while you’re at it, set some goals for your pets as well?

Ask yourself this; what are YOUR goals?

Perhaps;

• Exercise more?
• Lose weight?
• Spend more time with family and friends?
• Learn something new?
• Enjoy life more?

These are some of the top goals for New Years, and can easily translate to your pets as well.

Yes, we tend to place ridiculous expectations on ourselves, but keep in mind, your pets’ health and happiness is based on the care you provide to them.

So with that being said, let’s get down to business…

Exercise More: If working out more is a goal you’ve set for yourself, you obviously understand how important exercise is and how it helps you maintain a healthy weight, keeps your muscles and joints flexible, and simply affects your behavior and life expectancy. Exercise affects animals the same exact way. Not only can exercise extend your pets lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little less likely to feel anxious when you go to work every day. The benefit of knowing your pet needs exercise?…is knowing you’re going to get exercise as well!

Lose Weight: All excuses aside – excessive weight in an otherwise healthy pet is a direct result of consuming unnecessary amounts of food and not getting enough exercise. Sound familiar? Perhaps this was information given to you from your Doctor. According to the “Association for Pet Obesity Prevention,” these are the common risks related directly to overweight pets:

• Osteoarthritis
• Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart and Respiratory Disease
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury
• Kidney Disease
• Many Forms of Cancer
• Decreased Life Expectancy (up to 2.5 years)

Yes, it’s quite the list, so stop overfeeding and get up and off the couch! Your pets will thank you!

Spend More Time With Family and Friends: Another question for you: Do you get lonely when you’re left alone? Some people may not think animals have the same emotions, but I guarantee you they get lonely, bored and often depressed if left alone for too long. Spend time with them when you’re home, play their favorite game, take them for a walk or run. Truly enjoy their company because that’s why you adopted them in the first place, isn’t it? If you plan to be away for long periods of time, speak with a neighbor or friend about stopping by, or hire someone to give them a little extra TLC during the day.

Learn Something New: Learning something new is not only an important aspect for your health, but your pets’ well-being as well. Mental exercises can improve your pets’ behavior and boost their self-confidence. They also help keep them sharp, alert and happy.

Check out these websites for some fun ideas (and keep in mind, it’s certainly not just limited to cats and dogs!):

• For Cats: The Pet Place
• For Dogs: The Dog Play

Enjoy Life More: “Dogs never pass up the opportunity to have fun.  It is the very heart of every living spirit; the essence of every dog.  It encourages strong bonds and deep affection.  If there is no pleasure, there is no life.” I love this quote from The Daily Dog!

Don’t ever pass up the opportunity to have fun with your pet!! Enjoy their company, take the time to love them, talk to them, cuddle them, and give them lot’s of TLC, because they deserve it… and so do you.