Teach Your Pet a New Trick
Spend a small amount of time each day teaching your pet a new trick. It only takes 10-15 minutes per day and before you know it you'll be showing off your cat giving high fives or your dog playing dead. Teaching your pet a trick is mentally stimulating, fun and helps to strengthen the bond between you.
Lose Weight
We've all probably put on an extra few kilos over Christmas, but an extra kilo on a cat or a dog is equivalent to tens of extra kilos on a person! Ensuring your pet is a healthy weight helps to reduce the strain on their joints and can help to extend their life span by reducing their risk of developing weight-related health concerns.
Exercise More
Resolve to spend more time exploring the great outdoors with your pet in 2022. Go on hikes, visit the beach or take your cat out on a leash or in a pram. Getting out and about can help you both to shift those extra kilos and adequate exercise helps to prevent boredom.
Review Your Pet's Diet
The new year is a great time to take a look at your pet's diet and ensure it is still appropriate for them. Our pets age faster than we do, so it may be time to move to a senior food as your pet slows down. Consider if adding certain supplements to their diet like joint support or fish oil may benefit. Make the switch to healthier treats and cut back on feeding them from the table.
Not sure what's fruits and vegetables are safe to feed your dog? Check out our article for top healthy treat options here.
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
Regular vet visits are crucial for ensuring your pet is in good health and can help to catch diseases before they become a problem.
Check Their Details Are Up To Date
When was the last time you checked if your pets registration or microchip details are up to date? Now is as good a time as any to check your address and phone number are correct so you and your pet will be reunited quickly if you become separated.
Learn First Aid for Your Pet
Do you know what to do if your pet gets a cut? What about a snake bite? Knowing what to do in an emergency can mean the difference between life and death for your pet. There are several online courses available, and in some locations, you may be able to attend a course in person with your pet.
Volunteer or Donate to a Local Rescue
Rescue groups had a tough time during COVID times. Forced to cancel their usual social fundraising events, they have struggled to continue to raise money to feed and care for the animals they have continued to rescue. Reach out to a local rescue and see how you can help. Maybe you've got some old towels or blankets or unused food or flea and tick medication you can donate. Don't have the time to volunteer or the goodies to donate? Cash donations will never go astray as they'll help the rescue to pay off their often large vet bills.
