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Did you make any New Year Resolutions?

31 days into 2025!

Are your resolutions on track?

The start of the New Year is always filled with the promises we make to ourselves to improve our health, our relationships or learn new skills.

It you are like most people- present company included- life is getting in the way of carrying out the daily habits these promises require.

Here is a short list of habits/promises you can make for your pet to help ensure a healthier year. (Perhaps this can motivate you to get on track with your New Year resolutions).

 

For the Dog

  1. Take your dog on long leash walks. A good sniff walk is excellent for your dog to exercise their brain. It is also an excellent way for you to get some “steps” in.
  2. Use Flea and Tick Prevention on schedule. The product wears off in the last week of its application/administration schedule and often can take a week to on-board. If you are late with your scheduled dose, it gives an opportunity for ticks to attach to your pet and cause an infection.
  3. Reduce the treats or change your dog’s diet to initiate a weight reduction program. A picky dog that is overweight does not need supplements and toppers to encourage their appetite.
  4. Get on a regular ear cleaning and nail trimming schedule
  5. Teach your dog a new trick. My favorite was teaching my dog to bow to me.

 

For the Cat

  1. Get new scratching posts and enrichment toys and try to encourage more hunting/play behaviors. Many unwanted behaviors such as stalking and inappropriate urination use this simple behavior modification technique to keep a cat happy.
  2. Use flea and tick medication for your cat if they go outdoors. The flea is well adapted to the cat.
  3. Brush your cat more regularly to get the loose hair out. This is the single best way to prevent hairballs. Hopefully, you will get more purrs than growls.
  4. Teach your cat a trick. It is possible. They can learn to “high-five” and “sit” if you are persistent and patient.

 

For the Exotic pets

  1. Buy new bulbs for the aquarium for the reptiles.
  2. Get new chew toys for the small mammals.
  3. Get new hiding caves for both the reptiles and the mammals.

 

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