The New Year is fast approaching and here at Bristol Animal Hospital, we are getting ready to start writing out our New Years’ resolutions. What resolutions have you made—and stuck to—to make each year healthier and happier? Don’t forget to include your furry friend in these goals. Make these three New Year’s resolutions that will benefit your pet and ensure 2021 their best year yet:
#1: Brush up on your pet’s dental care
By age 3, most pets (i.e., up to 85%) have dental disease. Make at least one change for the better for your pet in her oral health care routine by giving them daily dental chews, using water additives, or tackling toothbrushing. Take a peek at your pet’s teeth for plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to painful gingivitis, tooth-root abscesses, bone loss, and systemic infection. Check out the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s list of approved dental care products designed to battle oral bacteria.
#2: Banish boredom for a happy pet
Pets have an easy life. We serve them their food, make their beds cozy, and supply never-ending toys, no matter how many fluffy squeakers meet their demise. But, such a life of luxury can become, well, boring. Spice up your pet’s daily routine with a puzzle feeder instead of a food dish, a walk through the park instead of around the block, or a fresh trick to learn instead of the same old song and dance.
#3: Shed those holiday pounds for a healthier pet
As our pets don’t need to go into hibernation mode, stocking up on calories serves no purpose. Skip the Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas ham and all the goodies in between to avoid tipping the scales too far. Overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart and liver disease, and some forms of cancer.
Having a tough time sticking to those resolutions for a happier, healthier pet? We can help. Call us to schedule a dental cleaning, a nutritional consult, or a wellness exam.