Skip to main content
New Year Resolutions for 2017

Do you have New Year Resolutions for yourself this year? How about for your pets? Is it one of those things where you write down a bunch of things you really wish you were doing and then bury the list under a stack of paper s?  Perhaps this year, for your pets, it could be different.
No need to set unrealistic goals. Let us all be reasonable and enjoy the time spent with our animals. So here we go! Check out our list of easy goals that you can easily do to help your pets live a happier and perhaps healthier lifestyle.

1.       Check Labels! See how much your pet actually needs to eat.
Many of our pets are overweight by a little or by a lot. Did you know that you should feed your pet the amount of food for their ideal body weight? (It is possible that you are feeding for the weight that they actually are, not what they should be) To do this, take a look at this chart. Or the next time your pet comes in for a nail trim or exam, ask what might be ideal for your pet.  Also remember not to cut calories too quickly. It is ideal to lose about 1-3 lbs a month and you can always add in green beans or carrots to add bulk to the diet.  Studies show that dogs and cats that are trimmer live longer lives too!

 https://thejoggingdog.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/how-to-extend-your-dog-or-cats-life/
Body Condition Scoring


2.       Go outside with your pets!
It is wonderful for mental stimulation as well as exercise to get outside for not only us, but our pets as well. It doesn’t have to be long in the winter, perhaps just down the street to start. You would be surprised at how much it can lift your spirits while the days are shorter.  As the days get warmer, you can choose to increase your time outside as well.

Dogs on a walk
Family time!



3.       Give your pets Heartworm Preventatives EVERY month! Also remember Fleas and Ticks!
We have seen an increase in heartworm positive dogs over the last 2-3 years.  If you do not know about heartworms, check out this link or give us a call. It is much better for your pet (and not to mention cheaper) to prevent them from happening instead of treating after your pets gets them. Remember that they are transmitted by mosquitos and it takes 6 months for them to grow to full adult. Your pet could have been bitten in July of this past year and it show up now.  As the seasons change, keep a closer eye on those nasty fleas and ticks that could transmit diseases and cause your pet to become ill.

Heartworms


4.       Have fun!  
It does not take much to have fun with your pets. For a cat, it could be a simple as a laser pointer, fun toys, or sitting on your lap getting a good pet. For dogs, it could be chasing a favorite ball, teaching new tricks, going for a walk or run, or going for a car ride to the dog park or beach or for a hike.





See, that list wasn’t as bad as you may have thought. Simple, realistic, and good for you and your pet! We will be excited to see you in the new year and we hope that you can tell us that you have had at least had some FUN while you were working on your New Year Resolutions. Here is to a great 2017! 



written by Danielle Fuller ~ RVT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meet Cindy

Fun Facts about Cindy 1. She loves to to cook and bake. 2. She LOVES ALL Tortie colored kitties. 3. She irons her tablecloth for the holidays.  4. She enjoys gardening. It is a relaxing pastime.   Cindy has been with HDAH since the grand opening! As the office manager she plays an intricate role in the daily operations of Hazel Dell and brought with her many years of management experience. She has a large furry family. Her cats include Jabber, Winston, and newest kitty addition Zeva, followed by Maggie, her sweet dog. Cindy even has some llamas named Cara and Cleo, as well as horses named Zoe and Belle. Cindy can be found frequenting the lobby passing out kisses and treats to our patients and keeping our hospital running at it’s best!
14 comments
Read more

Pet Dental Care at Hazel Dell

What happens when your pet comes in for a dental cleaning here at Hazel Dell Animal Hospital? During an Exam:  The first step for when your pet might need a dental cleaning is for one of our doctors to perform an annual exam.  It can be difficult for owners to recognize periodontal disease in their pet, but not all pets need a cleaning every year. Most dogs will need a cleaning every 1-3 years and periodontal disease not only shows up above the gum line, but below the gum line too.  Dental disease may also be noticed when your pet comes in for reasons other than their annual exam.  The night before: To minimize the risk for anesthetic complications we ask that you to pick up your pet’s food bowl, at 8pm. Then, tuck everyone into bed and get a good night’s sleep before coming in to drop them off for their procedure.  In the morning you’ll pick up their water bowl too.  http://www.nedhardy.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2015/januar...
13 comments
Read more

Winter Weight

Purrrr! It’s Cold Outside! During the winter months some pets may acquire “winter weight”. We as pet parents usually see these extra couple of pounds because although we do not exercise our pets as much in the winter, we continue to feed them the same amount of food year round. So how can we avoid this and keep our pets safe from extreme temperatures? Here are a few tips and tricks to keep the fun going this winter!   Fetch!! Playing fetch with your dog (or cat)  is a great way to get them moving! You can even play too! Make it a race to see if you can beat your dog to their toy!   Toy Scavenger Hunts Dogs love scavenging – have your dog sit and stay while you hide their favorite toy around the house. When you give your release command, encourage your pet to go find their toy! Catnip Toys Catnip toys can really get kitties moving! Pet parents can also hide them around the house and encourage their cat to sniff them ...
5 comments
Read more