Last Updated: 01/07/2025
New Years Resolutions for Dogs
Check out 5 ways you can adopt a healthier lifestyle for you and your dog this new year.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 15 minutes - medium read
The start of a new year is a great time to pause and reflect on the year that was, and plan for the year ahead. Prioritising your health and well-being, and that of your pet, is a great way to kick off 2024.
Our vets have outlined 5 ways of adopting a healthier lifestyle for you and your dog this coming year. Not only will these changes have a positive impact on your long-term health, but they will give you more opportunities to bond with your pet.
Get Active
Dogs are an excellent motivation to get up and get moving - who needs a gym membership when you can get out and explore with your best friend!
On average, dog owners walk more minutes per week and are 54% more likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity than those who do not own a dog. Dog walking may also be linked with a lower risk of obesity.
Why not jazz up your exercise routine with a new collar or harness and lead combination with a matching water bottle to ensure your dog always stays hydrated.
For some great ideas on how to get out and enjoy the great outdoors check out our article Spring And Summer Activities To Do With Your Dog.
Regular Health Checks
Regular health checks, for us and our pets, are recommended by medical professionals to ensure optimal health and to identify any early signs of illness or medical concerns. Identifying health issues early can increase the chance of effective treatment and positively impact the health of the patient.
Regular vaccinations and preventatives ensure your dog is protected against deadly diseases and parasites. Vaccinations protect against diseases such as parvovirus, canine distemper virus, hepatitis and kennel cough. Preventatives protect dogs against deadly parasites including heartworm, fleas and intestinal worms. Ticks, including the deadly paralysis tick are present in many areas of Australia so protection against ticks is also recommended. Combination products such as Nexgard Spectra and Simparica Trio protect against most common parasites.
Looking for information on the best preventatives for your dog? Read our veterinary written article Flea, Tick and Worm Prevention in Dogs.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Top Tips For Travelling With Your Pet
How To Make Dental Care Easier
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed Jan 10 2024
Written by Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
