Hard to believe that the new year is here and it’s time for looking forward to a great year. For pet owners, we offer a few thoughts on great resolutions for the new year:
- Identify your pet – if you haven’t already, microchip your pet and register your contact information online in a microchip database. More than 80% of lost pets without microchips are never reunited with their owners. Keeping your pet safe is a primary responsibility of a pet owner, and it is a quick and easy process done at your vet.
- Have your pet spayed or neutered – don’t put this off much after 6 months of age if you can help it. If money is tight, keep your eyes out for city or county spay/neuter promotions in your community.
- Opt to adopt – there are hundreds of wonderful pets waiting to be adopted at pet rescue shelters all over the country. Many of them rescue pure breeds, although there may be a wait.
- Consider donating to a local pet rescue – these organizations depend on private donations, and the need for food and supplies is great.
- Stay in shape – as we all need exercise, so do our pets. Overweight dogs and cats will develop problems as they age. Feed them good food and watch the portions. Enjoy exercising together!
- Pay attention – take the time for strokes and hugs and tell them how great they are. Oddly enough, they understand.
Have a healthy and happy New Year. More great information here.
my new years resolution is to exercise more. Not just for myself but for my dogs too haha 🙂
Based on my research it is not healthy to spay or neuter a dog before they are between 12 and 14 mos. To many dogs are getting cushings disease because of being spayed so young among other issues related to early spaying/neutering. Someone who is a responsible owner will not allow their dog to wander or be in contact with the opposite sex and risk a breeding. It’s those that don’t care and let the dogs run free with no regulation that are the problems. I disagree with doing this kind of surgery of dogs so early. They live longer and are healthier when they are intact. The longer you can keep them that way the better. Many vets are getting on board with this as well. Hormones are need for joint and muscle development. You take those hormones away and you destroy your pets ability to grow properly. We know how we feel when our hormones are out of wack — why do it to a young dog whose not fully mature. Learn more by visiting Dr. Karen Becker of Mercola.com — she has several videos out there on YouTube explaining the why. Get educated and make a decision that’s best for your pet — not your vet’s pocketbook or based on someone else’s opinion. We have been condition to believe we have to spay no later than at 6 mos of age. “NEWSFLASH” – you can wait. It’s not mandatory.
my new years resolution was to spend more time training my dog and more exercise. could be doing a little better but we all know how resolutions sometimes fall through the cracks :/