New Year, New Pet Health Resolutions: Tips for a Healthy Start

New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for people, they can be for pets, too! Crossover Veterinary Clinic is excited to share our favorite pet health resolutions so our patients can start 2025 off on the right paw.

Pet Health Resolution Tips for Weight Management

Weight-related declarations may be a very obvious place to start because extra weight can be very unhealthy for pets. Weight management goals make great pet health resolutions.

There are documented health risks for overweight pets. These include:

• Increased risk for degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis)
• Higher risk of developing type II diabetes
• Increased rate of cancer
• Higher risk of cardiac and respiratory disease
• Hypertension

It has been shown that pets who are obese live on average two years less than their healthy weight counterparts. So what can you do?

It is important to understand your pet’s starting point. We can help you to determine a  body condition score so that we can develop an attainable goal. 

We can help you determine how many calories your pet needs to maintain a healthy weight. Pets need exercise, too, and we can help you find the sweet spot for your pet. Most dogs need about 30 minutes of activity per day, while cats benefit from around short bursts of activity daily. Get creative and make sure you are meeting these recommendations.

Making Dental Care a Priority

Many pet owners don’t think about oral health until there is significant disease in the mouth. Pet dental disease is best combated, though, with an offensive approach. 

The accumulation of plaque and tartar over time leads to inflammation of the gums, which can cause bleeding and oral pain. The ligament surrounding the tooth begins to loosen, and over time, this can lead to loose or missing teeth. Perhaps even more scary is the fact that bacteria in the mouth can gain access to the bloodstream and affect other organs like the heart and kidneys. This can actually shorten their lifespan. 

It is important to view pet dental care as part of their routine care, or a preventive procedure. Be sure that you are:

• Engaging in a consistent home care routine
• Bringing your pet in for regular wellness check ups
• Proceeding with anesthetized oral exams and cleanings as recommended. 

Putting Pet Wellness Care First

Waiting until your pet has a problem to seek veterinary care is often expensive and less effective than being proactive. Pet wellness care involves regular visits to see our team as well as recommended screening, vaccinations, and preventives. 

Pet owners who put wellness care first:

• Typically have a better relationship with their pet’s healthcare team
• Are better able to avoid problems such as weight gain 
• May avoid illnesses and parasites due to deworming, vaccinations, and parasite prevention
• Are less likely to have serious complications when they do become ill as problems are typically diagnosed earlier
• Spend less money on average due to the prevention and early detection of illness

We think all three of these goals make excellent pet health resolutions. They all end in making pets healthier and happier, which is our resolution, too!