Happy New Year! As we enter into the new year, many people are contemplating their goals for the upcoming months. This is an ideal opportunity to revisit your individual priorities. Whether you want to complete your education, improve your physical fitness, learn a new skill, or spend more quality time with loved ones, it’s safe to say that your pet will be by your side (or perhaps on your lap) as you strive to achieve those goals. As it turns out, pets can also be great sources of inspiration! A local Nacogdoches County veterinarian shares some examples of this below.
Always Put Your Best Paw (Foot) Forward
Fido may not be too concerned about his appearance, but he does appreciate feeling fresh, soft, and clean. Your dog’s specific grooming requirements will vary based on his coat type, so ask your veterinarian for guidance. However, all dogs require regular brushing, bathing, and nail trimming, as well as dental care.
As for Fluffy, most cats are pretty good at maintaining their coats. Your feline friend may spend a significant amount of time grooming herself. In fact, kitties may spend several hours a day on their beauty regimes! You don’t need to go to those extremes, but you by all means should make an effort to be well-groomed and to present yourself in the best light possible.
Eat Nourishing Food
Good nutrition is the foundation of your health and well-being. This applies to both us and our pets! Choose healthy, nourishing foods for both yourself and your animal companion.
Make sure to check with your Nacogdoches County veterinarian regularly about what to feed your pet’s little (or not so little) buddy, as their nutritional needs will change over time.
Take Time To Enjoy Yourself
Modern life can get quite hectic, with so many of us trying to juggle multiple priorities, such as child care, relationships, work, socializing, and self-care … all of which are important.
Remember to make time for the things you love to do. Consider picking up a new hobby or revisiting an old one. Life is precious, so don’t forget to make the most of it!
Get The Sleep You Need
One thing all of our patients share is their love of naps. Some of our feline friends can sleep up to 20 hours a day! Dogs sleep about 12 to 14 hours per day, so while they aren’t quite as tired as our feline pals, they’re still pretty worn out.
While you probably don’t need quite that much naptime, it’s still important to get enough rest. Poor sleep has been linked to many health issues, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, and weakened immunity. Bad sleep can also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and may add to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, paranoia, and impulsive behavior. Make sure you get enough shuteye!
Just Be Yourself
Pets have a special way of carving out spaces for themselves in our hearts. Much of this is undoubtedly due to their cuteness, loyalty, and affection. However, there’s also a lot to say about how charismatic—and sometimes flat-out goofy—they are. Fluffy doesn’t care what you think about her silly play habits: she’s too busy having fun!
Cherish Your Loved Ones
Pets provide us with unconditional love, unwavering loyalty, and endless cuddles and affection. They don’t really ask for much, either. Fido and Fluffy just want someone to love them and care for them. Pay attention to your pet, and spend time with them every day. Even small things, like touching your dog or cat’s head as you walk by, can make a big difference.
It’s also important to prioritize spending time with those who matter most to you. Time flies, and it seems to move even faster as we get older. Stay connected to the people that matter. Even if it’s just a quick check-in on social media, be sure to carve out time for your loved ones. (That includes your pets.)
Follow Your Instincts
Fido and Fluffy’s cognitive abilities differ from ours in many ways. Our furry pals rely heavily on their sense of hearing and smell, as well as their instincts. This is evident in various aspects of their behavior, such as cats’ scratching habits.
Pets can be incredibly perceptive. You may even have personal stories about your furry companion immediately disliking someone, who later proved to be untrustworthy. Trust your intuition, particularly when faced with important choices.
Stay Active
Puppies and kittens are super playful, which makes them very fun to have around. As Fluffy and Fido grow older, they will prefer catching Z’s over catching that little red dot. Keep your furry pal active by playing with them daily and providing lots of toys.
This is also important for people. This is a timely topic, as physical fitness is such a popular New Year’s goal. The keys really are to be consistent with your workout regimes and to do something you enjoy.
Of course, pets can also make great workout buddies. Fido would be more than happy to accompany you to parks and trails. (Fluffy may just watch you working out, but she’s still being supportive in her own way.)
Make The Most Of The Little Things
Pets can teach us many great life lessons. One that may be a bit on the nose? Always stop to smell the roses.
It really is very important to take time to appreciate the small moments. This is a great lesson to carry forward into the new year, for all of us!
Discover New Things
One great thing about dogs is the fact that they are always willing to go to new places with us. Indulge your pup’s sense of adventure, and Take Fido on some one-tank trips this year. Taking your pet to some new parks and trails can be great for both of you. You may be surprised at how many pretty little hidden spots there are in this area.
While some cats are also quite adventurous, many kitties prefer to stay close to home. Fluffy would probably prefer exploring a new box to trying out a new trail. Indulge her with that cute obsession! And while we do recommend keeping cats inside, if your feline pal is super adventurous, you could walk her on a leash.
As for you, it’s also good to keep an open mind and try new places yourself.
Keep Up With Health Care
Medical care is crucial for both people and pets! Make sure to bring your pet to your veterinary clinic regularly. How often your furry pal needs to come in will depend on their age, health, and lifestyle, so ask your Nacogdoches County vet for advice.
Also be sure to make an appointment or visit an emergency clinic right away if you notice any signs of sickness that could be indicative of medical issues.
Conclusion: The start of a new year is a great time to revisit personal goals. As it turns out, pets are not only great cheerleaders, they can also be wonderful sources of inspiration.
All of us here at your Nacogdoches County animal hospital wish you a wonderful new year. We look forward to providing you and your pet with excellent care in 2024 and for many more years to come.
