The New Year is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re probably already thinking about your resolutions. Drink more water, exercise more, eat healthier—there are any of several things that people promise themselves they’ll do to make their own lives better. However, what many people don’t think about is the importance of what they can do in the coming year to make life better for their pets.
You may already be providing your pet with plenty of love and care already. However, there is always just a little bit more we can do to be sure they get the best lives possible. Everything from busy schedules to bad weather can get in the way of doing our best for our pets, but these simple resolutions can be put into place every week – or even every day – to enrich their lives over the long term and be sure that they are happier and healthier in the long run.
If you are a dog owner, it should almost go without saying that you should take a little time at the beginning of the year to reexamine how much time you are giving your dog for walks. Sure, you may be giving your pup enough time to do their business and get out a little extra energy. However, a nice long walk does just as much good for your dog as it does for you. Rather than just spend fifteen minutes going out around the block, why not dedicate twice that much time a day to walking your dog? You can even increase that to an hour-long walk per week to get out, explore and stimulate your dog’s senses. Both of you will benefit from these excursions.
Remember too that your pup needs a good rest after their walk. Find a quality bed to help them get cozy once you get home. Every dog is different, so if you’re interested in the custom pet beds we have available at J’adore you might be interested in something like our Cuddle bed or even our Throne bed – an especially good option for smaller breeds. The Throne bed can be an excellent idea for the winter months if you want to help them warm up after a long walk in the cool air, as it includes an inner blanket.
As for cat owners, it can sometimes be a little difficult to remember how much exercise your feline friend needs, especially when they spend so much of the day sleeping. However, regular exercise is essential for cats too, and they often need a little encouragement to get it. Invest in some toys and be sure to spend a little time each day playing with your cat. It may take some time to get used to playing with you if they aren’t already, and you may need to figure out which time of the day they are most active. However, with a little bit of practice, we’re sure that you and your cat will both come to love the time that you spend with one another chasing string and tossing around knitted mice.
Now, when we think about exercise and our canine companions we most often think about daily walks. However, dogs can also go along with their human families on all kinds of activities. Next year, plan some activities that your dog can come along on. Your pup is sure to love a day out in the woods if you take him out hiking with you, and with the correct gear your dog can enjoy a weekend camping trip along with the rest of your crew. Among your camping gear, be sure to choose a good dog bed. While you may not want to bring his everyday pet bed along, an option such as a J’adore Pillow bed can help guarantee your best camping buddy isn’t sleeping on the hard ground.
Often, when pet owners think about grooming it only regards a bit of extra brushing. That’s why we suggest you “brush up” on your grooming knowledge in the New Year, if we may use that pun. Even a little daily grooming such as a quick brushing goes a long way toward keeping your pet healthier and, yes, this counts for shorter-haired breeds as well. Another thing to remember is that grooming practices extend to your pet’s oral health, and you should begin to brush your pet’s teeth if you don’t do so already.
How do you think you could improve your pet’s life in the coming year? No pet owner is perfect, and there are always little things that each of us could do better. At J’adore we look forward to each and every day with our pets and always strive to do everything we can to improve the lives of our furry friends – just one of the many reasons we look to give them the best sleep experience possible.