As the year dwindles down to an end there are somethings that you may not be considering while making your yearly resolutions. I for one tend to make resolutions which are directed to me personally. This year however I am going to make the choice to devote some of my goals to my pets. Namely my dogs. Here are some wonderful Resolution ideas from one pet owner to another.
Make sure to keep identification on your pet, this may include current rabies tag and personalized identification with a good phone number will get your lost pet back to you. Get your pet microchipped by your veterinarian, as it is the perfect back-up to tags. Have photos of your pet, just in case. I have a collar on each of my dogs, it gets washed when they get a bath and if it is getting ratty from wear and tear I replace it.
Be sure to keep your pet safely contained at home. Fences not only make “good neighbors” but keep your pets safe from cars, guns, getting lost and so much more, be sure to check the fence for any holes or gaps. Not to mention any weak points that would be easy to break through. For me this is a big deal, I have to make sure that my digger doesn't create any holes that I don't know about. Keeping the fence in the backyard in good physical condidtion allowes me to let the dogs out to play without any worry that they will get out or anything unwanted in.
Doctors visits, Be sure to take your pet to the vet at least once per year to keep vaccinations current, get heartworm prevention renewed and have your pet get a general check-up. I have a special file for the dogs vet visits, in it I list all the dates for check ups and if there were any special times that they had to go to in. Keeping a file with your pets medical information is important in the event of the unexplained sickness or emergencys.
Spay and neuter your pet, there are so many health benefits for both female and male pets in addition to helping reduce the overpopulation that results in far too many homeless pets. I have a male that I am planning to get fixed this coming year. Since I needed to save up some money for the procedure it is on my to do list rather than my done list. If you are in need of spaying and neutering then you can always check with the local animal shelter. They may have discounted procedure prices.
I plan to cut back on the amount of treats that my dogs recieve, as well as the different kinds of treats they are given. Saving money by buying in bulk ( since I do have four dogs ) will help me to be able to spend more time with the dogs and less time working. That is of course the paln. I also plan on feeding my dogs the best quality food I can afford. I have been doing research and trying to find the best type of food for each of my dogs breeds. This is something that you should do so that you can ensure that your dog is getting all the nutrients he needs. A healthy doggy diet means a healthy dog.
Baths and general grooming. Takeing care of your pet’s coat, teeth and nails. This is something that I normaly try and do myself, however I may start enlisiting the help of the 'professionals'. Daily brushing is a great way to monitor the coats, as well as prevent any matting. Dirty or matted coats cannot effectively protect your pet from the elements, may hide health problems, and are uncomfortable for your pet. Trimming long nails can be painful and can eventually disable your pet, this is something that I always leave to the professionals. I have a few black nails and am afraid of cutting too close to the quick. If you feel comfortable cutting your dogs nails then be sure to monitor them so that they don't get too long, this also makes sure that your tiles, and hard wood floors don't suffer from nail scratches. Brushing should be done once a month or more frequently if required. Bad breath may be because of tooth decay or gum disease and should be checked out by your veterinarian.
More dog and me time. I plan on spending much more time interacting with your pet, instead of the normal morning walks I plan to also do an evening one. I am also in the process of planning a few hiking trips which I would love to take my dogs out on. Our pets are social animals that thrive on human attention so with that in mind I am also going to try and socialize them more with people. I want them to be able to meet new people without getting too excited. Jumping is something I really need to work with my hound on, so that is at the top of this list. Teach your pet manners so it is pleasant for others to be around. Our pets love us unconditionally; love them back with all your heart and take care of them the best you can.
Now that I have shared a few things I plan to do, I would love to hear your goals as well.
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