It’s another new year, which means another new set of goals for everyone to make. If you’re like the majority of the population, most of your goals will be focused on yourself, friends, and family, and how you can improve life for everyone involved. But had you ever considered setting a new year’s resolution for your furry family member as well? After all, your pet is part of your family, so if you can do one thing to improve their happiness or well-being, why not set yourself the challenge and make it an official resolution? If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got a few ideas rounded up for you already.
Exercise
No matter what kind of pet you have, whether it’s a Great Dane or a dwarf hamster, they will need a decent amount of exercise. All of our pets have been domesticated from wild animals, and while they are now happily living in more confined spaces than their ancestors, they still need some time out in the open to stay fit, healthy, and happy. The only exception to that rule is fish, who just need a big enough tank to swim around in!
It’s never been more important for your pet to get the right amount of exercise either. Studies from the Royal Veterinary College show that around 40% of dogs and 53% of cats are overweight or obese, and they predict it will only get worse. So to make sure you’re not a statistic, try to get your pet some exercise and make it fun if you can. For dogs that can mean rather than a normal walk you play frisbee, do a scent hunt, create obstacle courses, or even get your dog on the treadmill! For cats, you can buy large running wheels, take them on walks on a harness and leash (if they’ll tolerate it), play with laser pointers, set up cat obstacle courses, and invest in a bigger more interactive cat tower when they want to solo play. Spend some time investigating and finding the right kind of exercise for you and your pet that’s fun and engaging (so that you both stick to it!).
If you need help achieving more exercise for your dog and you can’t commit to giving the amounts they need, we at Animals at Home provide excellent dog walking services all over the nation.
Start a Savings Account
It might sound odd for a pet to have a savings account, but there is a method to the madness. Around 45% of pet owners in the UK do not have insurance on their animals, which means if the worst should happen they are left footing the bill. And boy can those bills be high! If you don’t want to insure your pet, then a good alternative is opening a savings account with your bank just for them. You should then try to put a bit of money into this fund each month, and over time you’ll build up a fund that you can use when needed. This means you never have to worry about illnesses, accidents, boarding fees, or even regular pest maintenance costs because you have a pot of money sitting there for your pet.
Do Something Together Regularly
From your pet’s point of view, you are their whole world, and they absolutely love spending time with you! So why not resolve to spend some quality one on one time with your pet on a regular basis? This could be anything from cuddles on the sofa, a long walk around their favourite swimming lake, joining a class, or even just going to new places to explore. For smaller pets, this can still be beneficial – for example, reptiles love going out into the garden for a bigger space to explore, and rodents adore riding on your shoulder or in a carrier to visit new and exciting places. Even if it’s just the pet shop to buy food!
All pets are complex creatures, and having a goal that focuses on them can be really good for both them and you. If you’d like some tips or want to find the best pet care services for your pet when you can’t be around, just get in touch with the Animals at Home team today.