Posted on January 01, 2010 by: WayCoolDogs

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People are not the only one who makes New Years resolutions for 2010. With a little help from their pet owners, New Year resolutions for dogs can improve not only their life but our own! We have chosen some top quality resolutions that are not only beneficial to the dogs but to their pet owners.

• Make sure your dog(s) has some form of pet ID tag or microchip and the information is annually updated. It is the only thing that will prevent your pet from never returning home once they become lost or stolen.

• Your dog(s) waits for you to come home all day or night from work. Spend some quality time with them as they have missed you.  This can be done with a quality walk to help you unwind from a stressful day, a good game of fetch, or simply setting down with a hot cup of coffee and telling them about what a rotten day you’ve had! Or get a jump start on the day with an exercise jog with your best four-legged friend!

• A New Years resolution that many dog owners don’t think of is brushing the dog’s teeth daily. How would it feel if you never brushed your teeth for years upon years?  If it is something you cannot see yourself doing, make regular vet appointments to coincide with physicals and have your vet do it.

• Even with the economy down, things can be done to improve the quality of dog food to ensure better and longer health. For obese dogs, cut the dry down and add plain mashed pumpkin or sweet potatoes. Many dogs love it and prefer it over plain ol’ food even if they are not obese. A good company to buy healthy and delicious dog food is Wellness.

• In the middle of winter, giving a dog a bath can be dangerous unless they are dried properly. But a good dog brushing will help as it stimulates the skin and cleanses the coat, and keeps you on top of visiting parasites. Weekly is sufficient unless your dog enjoys being brushed on a daily basis. Every time you brush your own hair, grab the dog brush and give them a quick once-over. Just don’t get the hair brushes mixed up!

• Believe it or not, checking your dog’s gums can help ward off serious dog illnesses before they get worse. A normal gum is pinkish looking, while a pale or whitish gum may refer to anemia or shock. But one that is bluish-looking shows some trouble with oxygen getting through to the blood stream.  Knowing your dog’s breed helps, as chows have some black pigments in their gums that is normal. If in doubt, such as bright red or muddy brown, take your dog to the vet immediately.

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