3 Highly Achievable New Year’s Resolutions for Pet Parents in 2023

The New Year’s tradition of making resolutions can be a wonderful opportunity to make healthy changes for your pet. But over 90% of resolutions aren’t kept, and most of us forget about our goals by February. The key to keeping resolutions is to make sure they’re simple, measurable, and rewarding. Try these three easy, highly achievable New Year’s resolutions for your dog or cat to kick off their best year yet.

1. Brush your pet’s teeth every night.
Most pets will have some degree of dental disease by age three. Tartar buildup, gingivitis, and tooth decay can lead to an overload of oral bacteria that may spread to other parts of the body, making your pet more susceptible to other health complications in the future. Protect your pet’s health and get sweeter, fresher kisses by brushing your pet’s teeth every night with a pet-friendly toothpaste. Brushing is the most effective way to eliminate plaque, and since it takes about 24 hours for hard-to-remove tartar to form, a daily dental routine is optimal.
Don’t think you can stick to daily brushing for your pet? Aim to brush at least twice a week. You can tie brushing into your existing routine by making it a part of your get-ready-for-bed ritual. It can also help to use visual reminders, for example, keeping your pet’s brush and toothpaste near your own - just make sure you don’t get them mixed up!

2. Switch to healthy treats.
Dogs and cats thrive with a healthy diet made up of fresh, varied foods but that’s not always possible or practical for pet parents. When you can, consider talking to your veterinarian about finding the best possible diet for your pet or even making your own homemade pet food.
In the meantime, it’s easy to make small changes like switching to natural pet treats. Most cats and dogs go nuts for high protein, low fat single-ingredient treats like freeze-dried chicken breast or beef liver. You can also try making your own healthy treats, which can be as simple as unseasoned, unsalted bites of egg, fish, or chicken that you already cook for your family.

3. Create a monthly photo diary.
If you’re like most pet parents, your phone’s camera roll is full of random shots of your pets doing everyday things like lounging, cuddling their favorite humans, and playing with toys. You can make the most of those moments by creating a monthly photo diary featuring just one or two shots that sum up your pet’s best moments, like puppy or kitten growth milestones, a fun trip to the park, or a new trick they’ve learned.
A photo diary can be digital, or it can be a physical scrapbook, where you can add mementos like a lock of fur from your puppy’s first grooming appointment, your kitten’s recently outgrown collar, or a pressed flower from a special hiking trip.