Your Pet Friendly New Years Resolution List

We are flipping the page on 2023 and entering a fresh and new adventure that will be 2024. As tedious, taxing, and often useless, as creating a list of things we want to change or do in the new year may seem, the tradition has been around much longer than most people would imagine. Over 4000 years ago, the Ancient Babylonians were the first to hold celebrations to honor the changing of the year. Their “new Year” started in March and was tied to the planting of crops. Apparently Babylonians knew how to throw a big bash, as their party to bless the newly planted crops lasted 12 days. To assure a bountiful and healthy batch of crops, they would pledge loyalty to their rulers, make promises, and give gifts to their many Gods. If it was a bad year for the harvest, it meant somebody didn’t keep promises they had made at the start of the planting season. You would NOT want to be that guy, for sure.

The Romans jumped into the New Years game around 46 B.C. when Julius Caesar declared January 1st as the start of the calendar year. January was important to the Romans, as it as named for their God “Janus.” Janus was a two-faced deity that inherited doorways and arches. This meant that good ol’ Janus could look backwards into your past, and forward into your future, and this ability gave him the power to guide you away from past mistakes and misfortunes and into more prosperous times. So the  Romans would “grease the hand of fate” and offered sacrifies, gifts, and made promises to Janus (do you sense a theme here?)

In the 1700’s, a more modern religious view was taken towards the new year. As the calendar changed on January 1, Christians were asked to reflect and review past mistakes, and resolve to do and be better in the coming year. New Years Eve and New Years Day were normally spent in and around your place of worship, as congregations gathered to usher in the promise of a new and better year.

Today, as many as 45% of Americans say they created New Years Resolutions each January. The success rate of completing or keeping to the resolution is not great, as less than 10% of people fulfill or follow through with their resolutions. People focus on self improvement, or focusing on personal gain for their resolutions. When it is not instantly successful or starts to take time away from things they love… the drive to complete the mission waivers. In short, NOBODY really wants to give up soft drinks, or sugar (for instance), and few have the self control/will power to drive the change they envisioned on January 1st. It’s easy to revert back or give into old habits, so we fail.

Now that we have a better grasp on the history and tradition of WHY people make New Years Resolutions… our FreddieSez team created a short list of “Pet Friendly” ideas that any Fur Family, Doggie Daddio, or Cat Crazy Clan, can get behind for 2024.  If you can’t keep promises to yourself, why not make your New Years Resolutions revolve around your best buddy or favorite pet? After all, nobody wants to look into the eyes of their dog or cat and say “I failed you” and then have to explain why. Sure, they would forgive you because they always do, but the guilt would still be there.

I Resolve to Feed my Pet Healthier Meals in 2024

This one isn’t as easy as it sounds, as it would mean changing diets and cutting out things that your fur kids love to eat. However, this resolution could be key in better overall health and a longer life. So that’s a win/win/win for everyone involved. The first key to feeding healthier is to figure out exactly what they eat now. This comes in a few steps;

  • Make a Log of When you Feed, what you feed, and how much you feed for a week or two. Make sure to include table scraps or human snacks. You might be amazed at how much your cats and dogs consume in a day (or how little).

  • Figure Out What’s in the Food You’re Feeding Them. Read labels on the brands you feed, research your “go to” brands on line to find out whats really in the foods you serve. If you’re feeding table scraps, get to know the “DO NOT FEED” list of items that are harmful to your pets. Unknowingly you could be poisoning your best friend, or putting them at risk of health issues.  If you’re cooking for your pets, are they getting the nutrients and vitamins they need for a balanced diet? Get to know what they need, and either add that to the food you make them, or consider over the counter supplements to assure they intake the things they have to have.

  • Know the Right Amounts of Food for your Pet. It’s easy to overfeed your pets. Dog’s eat most anything they see, and cats think they are on the verge of starvation if their bowls aren’t topped off every hour. If you “free feed” (leaving a bowl out so they can eat when they want), do you really have control over their portions? Once you get a handle on when they eat, help them to understand and cope with the change. When you diet, you think about food ALL THE TIME… right? Animals who eat when and what they want would be no different. By helping them to become more active, putting new routines and distractions in their daily routines to offset the eating, you can help them (and maybe yourself) start down the path to the right way to eat.  If you need help, or want to know suggested feeding amounts, or just want to get ideas of what foods/brands are good for your pets breed, species, or health, consult your trusted everyday veterinarian. Here are links to nutritional guides for dogs and cats to get you started.

    Dog Nutrition: What & How Much To Feed My Dog (akc.org)

    Cat Feeding Guide | How Much & How Often To Feed Kittens & Adult Cats

I Resolve to Make my Pet More Active in 2024

This is actually a two sided resolution. If your PET is more active, chances are really good YOU will be more active as well. This gets you away from the TV, off the smartphone, often out of the house, and definately more focused on the person that is most invested in you… your pet.  It also gives your fur kids the one thing they crave more than anything, your focus and attention. They live to be with you.

  • Figure Out if your Pet is Overweight. You may have a “fat cat” or a “rotund rover” and not really realize it. Pounds add stress to the framework of your pet, just like with humans. It’s easy to overlook a few pounds of pet weight gain, but that can quickly cycle in to a lazy and lethargic animal… especially if they have been spayed or neutered. So get to know what a healthy pet looks (and feels) like for your animals breed or species. Don’t be fooled into thinking its “puppy weight” or “just a lot of fur”, get in there and figure out if your fur kids are sleek & slim, or heavy hitters. Your veterinarian is a great source of knowledge about all animals, and they know yours personally, so get an opinion. Here is a quick online guide for your education How Can You Tell If Your Pet Is Overweight? | PetMD

  • Get Active with your Favorite Fur Friend.  How active are they now? What is their level of fitness now? What do they like to do for fun? How can you join in and increase their activity AND level of enjoyment? All of these questions will lead you to a plan for a more active pet. Dogs and cats are obviously different, you don’t see many cats out for walks in the park or chasing a ball in the back yard. However, there are ways to help your cat get active as well.  Consider things YOU like to do as well. Are you outdoorsy… well your dog would likely enjoy hikes, walks, or sightseeing with you. Do they “zoom”… if so, maybe you could build a training course in your back yard. Is your dog social… pet parks, beaches, play dates, or pet parties at your place brings the fun of other dogs into play.

    Cats are different in they way they play and socialize. Still, if your cat seems overly lazy or isn’t all that  active, then you can help them by making it fun for them to get moving. Remember, cats have the ability to sleep upwards of 12 to 13 hours a day, so don’t mistake their normal needs for being a bum.  Cats respond to mental stimulation that leads to physical play, they like puzzles or toys that lead them to be more active, and they usually like you to join in their fun (until they don’t).

    As a rule, we can suggest speaking with your primary care veterinarian for their input on how to get your pet moving towards a more active lifestyle.  We suggest these links for some “self study”;

    6 Signs Your Dog Isn’t Getting Enough Exercise | PetMD

    Exercise for Dogs: Keeping Your Dog Fit and Active (thesprucepets.com)

    thecatsite.com/c/7-proven-ways-to-get-your-cat-to-be-more-active/

I Resolve to Make my Home More Pet Friendly in 2024

Currently, 66% of homes in this country have a pet. That’s 85 million homes with some sort of something that isn’t human, but is part of the family. Over 65 million homes have a dog, over 46 million have cats. We, as a nation, spend more than 99 billion dollars on pets and pet products each year. More and more the country is becoming pet friendly and allowing more pet access with their owners. Pets are in cars, on vacations, they go shopping, they are in parks and on beaches, pets are getting access everywhere. But, ask yourself… how pet friendly in my home? The answer might surprise you. Here’s a quick list of things to look for or change to make your home “good to go” for your fur kids;

  • Fence or Tether if Outside. Most dogs need space to roam and run, so if you have a dog they will need a fenced in area that is big enough to zoom. If fencing isn’t an option, they have portable play pens or enclosures for all sized dogs. If you don’t have a yard but have a dog, a long lead is a good way to keep control and a measure of safety. However, leads need to be supervised to keep the dog safe and untangled.

  • Focus of Pet Friendly Furniture. It’s your pets house, too. It’s foolish to assume they will follow “no pets allowed” rules on furniture. Make sure the items you choose are sturdy enough, are made of a pet friendly material, and are a color that will take the daily grind of having an animal (or 12) laying and playing on it. If you choose to have “no access” areas for your pet, plan on being disappointed with the reality of your world. Pets WANT to be with you all the time. From bathroom to bedroom, and beyond, your home needs to be their home. Sure, it’s okay for them NOT to sleep in your bed (although you’re missing out on cuddle times) but make sure you have alternative bedding sources. AVOID WHITE for your furnishing choices.

  • Avoid Carpets and Rugs. Pee & poop happen, and as they get older it happens more often. Hardwood floors are easier to clean and maintain than carpets. Get a heavy duty, pets rated, vacuum for your floors and carpets, then use daily. Your pets don’t like their loose hair any more than you do, so vacuum and dust daily.

  • Keep Fragile Items out of Reach. If you have nice stuff, keep in nice by displaying or storing it where your pets can’t have access. In the case of most dogs, going higher is better. Traditionally, most dogs don’t like to climb. For cats, you can’t go high enough. In fact, be VERY wary of what you put out on shelves, tables, or open areas. Cat’s don’t care about your stuff and make it a game to clear the area of things that annoy them… which is nearly everything.

  • No wires, cords or plugs hanging or laying free. Dogs and Cats both will chew plastic and wires. When is the last time you walked your home to find out if there were any wire hazards. Charging cords for phones, lamp cords, and other tasty looking long wire can become life altering if chewed raw.

  • Get Trash Cans with lids. Smells attract pets of all kinds, and having an open trash can is like opening an “all-you-can-eat” buffet in your home. Change out trash liners often, wash out your trash cans, and buy cans with lids. Having open trash containers not only can lead to messes, it also gives your precious pets access to potentially dangerous items (food and non-food).

  • Get Pet Friendly Plants. Know and buy what plants are pet friendly. Some plants are deadly to dogs and cats, so understand what you can and can’t have in your home for their safety. The list might surprise you, so we’ve included this link for your use; 50 Pet-Safe Plants + Their Health Benefits For Owners – Veterinarians.org

I Resolve to Make My Pets Health a Priority in 2024

This one sounds like a no-brain-er, right? But, quick… are your pets shots up to date? When is the last time your best buddy had a dental exam? When is their wellness exam scheduled? Where is your local after hours Veterinary clinic you use in case of emergencies? How many of these questions did you answer with factual responses? Your pets health is only as good as YOU make it. They can’t take themselves to the vet (nor would they go if they could), they can’t make that appointment, and they can’t always tell you if something is starting to go wrong with their health. It is important that you make that appointment for regular checkup and maintenance. Some shots are yearly for certain animals, some are based on their living conditions (indoor to outdoor). Flea and tick medications are seasonal but important. You can’t skimp or ignore your pets health and expect them to be healthy. Having a pet is an 8 – 12 year commitment, in most cases… you need to treat them like the family member you chose them to be. Would you ignore your spouse, child, or parents health? It is important that you keep up to date with routine health maintenance for your pets. Most Veterinarians have online tools to help keep track of medications and appointments. If you haven’t already, commit to better health for your pet in 2024.

Those are some quick and easy ways for you to make a New Years Resolution that stick this year. Knowing that your fur buddy is counting on you will help you stay the course and make this years promises become a success. What has four legs, two eyes, a tail, and all the love in the world for only you? Your best friend and constant companion. Take the steps to make 2024 Pet Friendly for them!

That’s all for this weeks edition of our Dog Blog. Remember to keep your pets safe over the New Years holiday, fireworks and strange noises will be abundant. Watch open alcohol containers, as well as plates of unattended food that might be around at parties or gatherings. We want to see 2024 get off to a great and Pet Friendly start… #FreddieSez.  We will see you next year!