YOUR PETS CAN BE HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER IN 2023 WITH SOME OR ALL OF THESE PAWSOME PET NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS! (PART 3)
A new year brings new goals and more than 300 days of opportunity for you and your pet to bond, develop healthier habits and discover new ways to live a full life. Your pet can live a better tomorrow with your help. An important first step is to avoid becoming overwhelmed thinking you need to make big changes overnight. Baby steps in the right direction are the way to go. The important thing is to make a plan and move steadily forward.
This week we look at the final part in this three-part series on how to have healthier and happier pets in 2023! Also read PART 1 & PART 2 of these pawsome new year’s resolutions.
CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT & A SPACE THAT IS ONLY THEIRS
- Keep toxic substances like medications, cleaning or gardening products, alcohol and toxic plants out of reach.
- Just because a pet shop or vet sells something, doesn’t make it safe. Buy safe bedding and toys made of natural material without strong smells.
- Clean their food and water bowls daily. We prefer stainless steel bowls to plastic.
- Be careful about cleaning products, air fresheners, or perfumes and candles you use that can affect your pets.
- Resolve to take the time to safely secure your dog in the car on all car trips, regardless of the length of the journey. Never leave them alone in a car!
- Start firework preparation before the festivities catch you unprepared.
- Secure your yard so it is safe and so that pets can’t escape or get poisoned from the street.
- Keep your cats safe in your yard.
- Make sure there is proper shelter from all the elements.
CREATE A PET-FRIENDLY GARDEN
Since our pets spend the most time at home or in the garden, we should do our best to build them safe, entertaining places to rest and play. Make sure all potentially harmful plants or substances are out of reach. Create some nice hiding places and vertical territory for your pets to enjoy and explore. Learn more about zoopharmacognosy, which allows your pet to self-select remedies that best soothe them, especially during periods of anxiety.
Read more on pets and your garden and consider a sensory garden.
OPEN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR PET EMERGENCIES OR GET PET INSURANCE
Be better prepared for the unexpected. This is a healthy habit and can save you a lot of worries later. Pet owners can now choose from a variety of pet insurance plans that meet their needs and fit every budget. Read more on the pros and cons of pet insurance.
WRITE A BUCKET LIST FOR SENIOR PETS
What do you think your senior pet wants to do before crossing the Rainbow Bridge? You can make the last phase of your pet’s life memorable by compiling and completing a list of activities that will have their tail wagging and your heart soaring. Prepare in advance to navigate the Rainbow Bridge journey and making the tough but kind decision to euthanize your pet.
DO SOME COMMUNITY/PHILANTHROPY WORK FOR ANIMALS IN NEED
- adopt or foster a pet
- donate to a rescue or shelter
- donate pet products like beds, towels, bowls, leashes, collars or food
- volunteer at a shelter
- say thank you to rescuers (and a vet)
- take a shelter dog for a walk
- sign a few petitions to help us save more animals
- share lost and found animal posts to improve their chances of being reunited with their owners
- join a specific cause like “stop fireworks”, “say no to the circus” or sterilizations campaigns
BALANCE YOUR MOOD (ENERGY)
Animals can pick up on our energies. We see how sensitive animals are to our emotional state. They get excited when we are or try to comfort you if you are down by climbing on your lap. If you’re continuously agitated or angry when you come home, this could negatively affect your pet’s emotional state. Maybe a good New Year’s resolution idea this year is to learn how to have balanced energy before coming home to see your furry family. Even though a walk might do you good, maybe not attempt it on a day that you are angry or frustrated or not in the mood because you might ruin the experience for your pet.
Keep in mind that barking, humping and digging for example are natural behaviours, but don’t allow your pet to do things if it frustrates you as this will not be good for either of you. There are alternative and healthy ways to deal with such natural behaviours.
FIND A GOOD PET SITTER
Identify what type of pet sitter service you need. Start your search as soon as possible, ask for referrals and interview potential sitters. For us, a big factor (apart from being trustworthy) is someone who has training in pet first aid (behaviour and grooming are a bonus) and who has professional documentation (forms and terms & conditions). List your pet sitter at your vet. Read more on this topic.
ADOPT DON’T SHOP
If you are planning to get a new pet, please do your homework in advance about the specie and their needs. It is important that the animal and breed you choose fit with your family’s energy levels and lifestyle. Please do not support breeders who fuel this massive overpopulation crisis, so opt to adopt from reputable organizations that include home checks, a contract and sterilization.
Read everything you need to know about adoption.
LIVE KINDER
Only visit True Sanctuaries and say no to those that offer animal rides, interaction, walk with, pet, or taking of photos with the animals.
- Use your birthday to raise donations for a reputable animal shelter by asking friends and families to donate or let your wedding registry be donations to an animal shelter.
- Organize a community clean-up because plastic and other trash are harmful to the environment and animals.
- Support the life in your backyard like the small ecosystems, animals and insects that live around your home.
- Say no to pesticides and poisons because poisoning rats and other animals influences the natural food chain.
Choose to wear it kind by buying and wearing clothing ethically. Avoid leather, fur and wool and try sustainable, animal-friendly alternatives because their lives matter! Don’t buy products that are tested on animals. You can find the approved beauty brands on the Humane Guide.
EDUCATE & ADVOCATE
This is one we really want you to help us with! Try and share an educational post about animals regularly to help others learn more about animal care and welfare. Advocate for the voiceless and the unheard, especially about topics like breeding, selling, petting farms, the circus and fireworks.
FINALLY, CREATE A PLAN
Almost done. You have your pet and you have decided to make some pet-positive changes in the new year. You even have some great ideas now for paw-some resolutions. To execute these resolutions though, there need to be detailed goals and an easy plan to follow every day. It is important to create a plan that you can stick to. Consider asking a friend to check in with and make sure you are keeping to those resolutions. Maybe start a calendar and write down the days and the goals. The most important part, get excited!
Do you have a New Year’s resolution for your pet? Are you sticking to them?
Since the tragedy of the tigress that was shot and killed recently in Gauteng, next week we will look at the issue of keeping exotic and wild animals as pets.
WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!
