Tis the season! We’re bidding farewell to the old year and ringing in a new one. While I personally struggled to make good on my 2020 resolutions; eat less sugar, be more social, drink less, and spend more time in the gym (thank you, Covid-19), 2021 is a new year, and gives us many reasons to be optimistic.
Even with the stress of the last year, some of the more important things in our lives were brought to the forefront; we realized how important the people close to us are, our pets saved us from utter loneliness and complete boredom, and excessive possessions and “stuff” became background noise that we are healthier without.
While I am not a huge proponent of personal resolutions, I believe that there is some value to making resolutions to do better for our loved ones. This includes our canines! Following are 5 resolutions for your dog that will benefit you, your wallet, and your Best Friend.
1. More Walks
This resolution for your dog will have direct benefits on both your mental well being and your physical health too! As you are likely aware, a large percentage of dogs and cats in the USA are overweight or obese. According to a report from Todays Veterinary Practice, an estimated 56 million cats and 50 million dogs were classified as overweight or obese.
The most common recommendations from vets to help cut down on excess weight were less food and more exercise.
A daily walk or two affords your dog the opportunity to relive him or herself in a multitude of different areas, gets their (and your) heart rate elevated to healthy, moving levels, and gets you both out in the fresh air.
Although it IS some work to get out in the cold temps where I live, I am always relieved and revived after a dog walk. I also realize that once I’m out, it actually feels pretty good to inhale some fresh air into my lungs and smell the cold, crisp winter smells.
Walking is also a really good form of exercise and can help you reach weight loss and fitness goals. Plus, anyone can do it (as opposed to running). So if you suffer from arthritis, back or knee issues, or obesity, walking is a great beginning place just to get moving. Plus, it’s considered a lower impact exercise and can be done for longer periods of time than running. Check this one off the list of resolutions for your dog AND for yourself!
2. Of Course, You May Want to Try Running With Your Dog
If you have a really energetic dog, running may be more up your alley. I personally enjoy both, but definitely spend more time on the daily sightseeing and sniffari walks with my dogs.
When I started running with our dog Bella, 10+ years ago, I was under the impression that you had to go all out, all the time. I wore out FAST. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered that by pacing myself, I could maintain a steady speed for 2 minutes, then 5 minutes, then 10; all the way up to 4 hours!
To run with your dog, make sure he has a harness and is a relatively well-mannered leash walker and follows basic commands. You can also devise a hands-free method so that your dog isn’t pulling your arm out of socket. Check out my previous blog on Running With Dogs for more tips and tricks.
3. Supplement Your Dog’s Food with Fresh Vegetables
Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com
Of ALL the resolutions for your dog, this one should rank high on the list! As you’re probably well aware, feeding your dog a processed diet of kibble is not the route to long-term health and longevity. Even if your dog’s kibble is the premium, expensive stuff, it’s still a heavily processed, fortified, cereal-based diet. Bad news for the health and wellness of your best friend.
Experts claim that nearly 60% of today’s dogs will develop some sort of cancer in their lifetimes. I’ve lived as part of this statistic. It is a heartbreaking and helpless place to be. A 2005 study found that dogs who were fed leafy, green vegetables at least 3 times a week were 90% less likely to develop cancer than dogs that weren’t.
It’s relatively simple to incorporate leafy greens into your dog’s meals. Vegetables can be chopped in a food processor so that nutrients are more readily digestible. These veggies can also be gently steamed (to support nutrient release and absorption) in the microwave or in a pan prior to feeding.
To prepare a supply of vegetables for my dogs I usually purchase a bag of frozen veggies, puree them in the blender, then gently cook them in the batch of food at the end of cooking time. You can also steam the veggies and store them in a container to scoop and mix with kibble at feeding time.
Some winning veggies that dogs can eat:
- Broccoli: packed with vitamins, including vitamin C, K, and potassium, which supports bone health, heart health, and will ward off many diseases like cancer. Be careful not to overfeed broccoli, as it can cause intestinal distress.
- Brussels Sprouts: are high in fiber and antioxidants, as well as vitamins K and C which benefit your Best Friend’s bone health.
- Spinach: contains potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6, B9, and E. It can also ward off cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease.
- Green Beans: contain iron, calcium, B6, A, C, and K. They are also low calorie and full of fiber, which helps your dog feel full and may benefit in weight loss.
- Kale: contains vitamins K, A, and iron to support bones, vision, and immune health.
- Celery: includes vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that protect your dog from free radicals and keep them young. Celery can easily be fed as a treat. If your dog doesn’t like veggies, consider putting something flavorful like sardine mash (a dog version of ants on a log, with their own health benefits!) on it.
- Cucumber: contains antioxidants and phytonutrients, which help protect from inflammation.
As with any new food, introduce these slowly and make sure they are part of a balanced meal. Dogs naturally trend towards being carnivores, so they may develop nutritional deficiencies if fed a strictly green diet. Also, try a variety of different vegetables; cycle through a different veggie each week to expose your dog to the nutrients in each. Just like we enjoy balanced meals with a variety of flavors, our dogs do too!
4. Give Your Best Friend a Comfy Spot
Ok, so this is one of the resolutions for your dog that probably doesn’t have a direct correlation with health and longevity. However, it does benefit their well being, happiness, and their bones. If your dog is older, it’s probably uncomfortable laying on the floor. Wally is a middle aged guy (3.5 years), and he NEVER lays directly on the hard floor, instead opting for his chair, the bed, or covered areas on the sofa.
Consider having a dog bed in areas of your home that your spend time, as well as a soft bed for your dog to lay in at night. Also, make sure that you wash your dog’s bed with gentle detergent (and no fabric softener) at regular intervals.
Of course, you may even allow your dog on the furniture, or have a special chair or couch just for your Best Friend. If so, lucky dog!
5. Consider Your Pet in Your Household Budget
On the forefront of many people’s resolutions are financial changes and goals. Rarely do we consider the unexpected costs associated with owning a dog. While the cost of feeding your dog the right foods should have consideration in your family’s budget, an unexpected trip to the vet or an emergency with your pet can leave your finances in great pain, or even leave you in debt.
Consider budgeting for at least 2 yearly check-ups, along with a dental cleaning after your dog is 4-5 years old. Many people neglect to think about the cost of canine dental care, which can be a costly $500-$600 for a cleaning. It’s also likely that even with the most steadfast dental routine, your dog will someday need a full cleaning at the vet.
While it’s sometimes tough to make and keep life-changing resolutions for yourself without some heavy support in your corner, resolutions for your dog are relatively straightforward and simple. Plus, they will benefit you; both financially (in regards to enhanced pet health, which results in fewer vet bills) and physically (from all that dog walking) in the long term!
Which resolutions for your dog are you implementing in 2021?
I’m going to brush my dog, Sassy’s teeth on a regular basis. She is a rescue dog who had 2 broken teeth when I found her. Hopefully, brushing her teeth will help keep her remaining teeth and gums healthy.
That’s a great resolution, and simple to do!