Home 2010 Canine Pal Healthy Resolutions
2011 Canine Pal Healthy Resolutions PDF Print E-mail

womanrunningwithdogImprove you and your dog’s life in 2011. This is a good time for you and your four-footed friend to become healthier.


1. Banish the bulge- being a sensible eating program for your canine. A study by the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention shows that 45 percent of dogs are overweight, including 9 percent who are obese. Cut down on the amount of food you feed, especially the packaged snacks. Most commercial treats contain too much fat, sugar, and unnecessary calories. If you must give your dog a goody, add some cut-up pieces of fruit or steamed veggies to the food bowl. (But make sure to stay away from grapes, raisins, avocados, and onions, as they can be toxic to pets.)

2. Fitness - give your dog more exercise. Being active offers many health benefits; studies show that it reduces the risk of some canine cancers, increases life span, maintains weight loss, and even improves arthritis. A daily forty-five-minute walk is ideal, but start off with five minutes and build up slowly.

3. See new sights- change your dog’s routine and eliminate boredom. Short walks to new neighborhoods, a stroll around an outdoor shopping center, hiking, or a ride to the country all can work wonders.

4. Buckle up. Your dog should always wear a dog safety restraint while riding in the car, and should never sit on your lap or ride loose. Unrestrained dogs can cause an accident and be thrown out of the automobile into traffic. With a small dog, use a doggy booster seat with a harness secured with the car seat belt. Medium and large dogs should always wear a safety harness seat belt in the car.

5. Attend a training class. Work on any annoying behaviors your dog might have developed, such as begging from the table, barking at other dogs on the street, jumping on strangers, or destructive chewing. According to certified dog trainer Cyndy Wood, of Burbank, CA, “It’s never too late to train a dog to do anything.”

6. Groom your dog regularly. Resolve to groom your dog with regular bathing, weekly nail clipping, and daily brushing. You can easily learn how to do it yourself, or take your dog to a groomer. More than just a beauty treatment, bathing and brushing reduces shedding and maintains a healthy coat.

7. Brush those choppers. Start brushing your dog’s teeth once a day. This helps reduce dental decay and oral infection. Use a dog toothbrush—it fits a dog’s mouth more easily—and apply dog toothpaste, which doesn’t need rinsing. If your pet’s teeth are neglected, your veterinarian may need to perform a professional cleaning to reach trapped debris.

8. Visit the veterinarian. Your dog may not need any vaccines, but should visit the vet every six to twelve months for a general checkup. And remember, the older your dog, the more frequently he or she needs to visit the vet.

9. Be a canine volunteer. Consider donating time or money to a shelter or low-cost spay and neuter clinic in your area. Or volunteer to walk dogs for elderly neighbors or animal rescue.

10. Get another dog. Thinking about a second or third dog? Make sure you have enough time to care for another pet and contact your local shelter or buy a dog from a reputable breeder.

Ring in the New Year with your dog in mind. Together, you and your dog can work toward a healthy and happy future.

By Elaine Waldorf Gewirtz for WebVet

Reviewed by Dr. Shawn Messonnier
First published January 2009
Last Updated on Monday, 14 March 2011 12:28