The birth of a new year heralds a fresh start for both dog owners and their dogs. Time to set new goals that promote healthy habits and encourage the forging of stronger bonds with your pooch. Here are 4 New Year’s resolutions he will thank you for.
1. Arrange a Pet Wellness Plan
Be more proactive in your canine companion’s healthcare by signing up for a pet wellness plan. This service reimburses dog parents for utilising different types of preventive and routine vet exams and procedures, such as:
- Annual physical check-ups
- Vaccinations
- Antiparasitic medication
- Faecal and urinalysis tests
- Bloodwork
- Dental work and cleaning
- Microchipping
- Grooming
Many people confuse a pet wellness plan for pet insurance, but there are big distinctions between the two. Pet insurance covers unforeseen vet costs brought on by treating injuries or ailments after these unfortunate events have occurred.
On the other hand, a pet wellness plan is focused on covering a dog’s routine care. It provides dog owners an affordable avenue to consistently get their pooch’s health checked by the vet.
The biggest benefit this service offers is reducing the risk of dogs developing severe health issues or complications. Hence the nickname, preventive plan.
By helping dog parents have more access to affordable regular vet care such as physical exams and bloodwork, underlying diseases can be easily spotted and treated early.
Where to acquire a pet wellness plan for your dog:
- Look for a low-cost vet clinic around your area. These establishments are often backed by veterinary schools or non-profit organisations that provide discounted services to dog owners on a tight budget.
- If you have pet insurance, try asking the provider about the availability of a pet wellness plan. Most pet insurance excludes routine vet care from its coverage. However, a few insurers will agree to offer a pet wellness plan as an add-on.
2. Have a Savings Account for Your Dog
Pet insurance can only get you so far. Sparing some cash to make a pet fund is a good backup plan in case of costly dog health emergencies.To do this, open a savings account for your pooch. It must be separate from your checking account to prevent you from using it for non-emergency purposes.
Or you can choose a different bank. This keeps you from quickly accessing the money since you have to manually transfer the cash.
Avoid missing regular deposits to your dog’s fund by setting a schedule. You can make a recurring reminder on your phone to avoid forgetting. Another route that you can take is automatically wiring a money transfer to his account every payday.
Having extra money stashed away gives you peace of mind that you can weather through vet-related financial burdens. Most importantly, it provides reassurance that you can choose the best medical treatment for your pooch despite the cost.
3. Prepare a Well-Stocked Pet Emergency Kit
The dawning of a new year is full of promising adventures, but there is also the possibility of unexpected accidents or natural disasters. Thus, it is important to prepare your dog’s emergency kit ahead of time in case of such dangers.Some essentials you should include are:
Basics
- Week’s worth of dog food and water
- Collapsible bowls
- Medications
- Lead and collars with LED for better visibility
- Waste bags and puppy pads
First Aid
- Gauze roll
- Sterile gloves
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Oral syringe
- Styptic powder
Miscellaneous
- Dog bed
- Toys
- Blanket
- Paw protectors
- Dog life jacket
- Grooming equipment
It would be best to choose a waterproof backpack to store all these items. Moreover, food, medications, and the first aid kit should be placed in airtight and waterproof containers to keep them from getting dirty or contaminated.
Remember to keep track of the expiration dates. Ideally, pet emergency kit items with shelf life should be replaced every 6 months.
To avoid too much hassle, list each of their expiry dates. This makes it easier for you to check which should be replaced in a few months.
Ensure your furry pal is microchipped and has up-to-date identification information on his collars and tags.
They should contain his name, your contact information, secondary contact information, medical history, and personality quirks. Keep a recent photo of your dog with you, too, in case he gets lost during emergencies.
Pet documentation such as vaccination records, vet records, and proof of ownership should not be left out of your dog’s emergency kit. Some establishments that temporarily house pets during natural disasters will require these papers.
4. Make the World a Better Place with Your Dog
- Blood Donation for Sick Pooches
Donating blood is not limited to humans. Many dogs stricken with illness also require a timely blood transfusion to save their lives.
Thus, consider letting your furry pal become a blood donor at a local veterinary blood bank. Know if your pooch is highly eligible for this role by asking your vet.
Applicants will undergo a health and temperament screening to make sure that they are suitable as donors. Those that are accepted will be scheduled for a blood donation.
This involves placing them on anaesthetics before collecting their blood for a painless process.
Depending on the vet clinic, they may offer a reward for your dog’s service, such as free dog food or free health check.
- Join Therapy Dog Visitation Programmes
Companionship is one of the most treasured gifts dogs give to us. Let others feel your furry pal’s unconditional love by making him into a therapy dog.
This allows him to go on volunteer visits in hospitals and nursing homes, where he can provide comfort to those who face health challenges.
There are certain steps your pooch needs to take before he becomes a certified therapy dog. Generally, he will need to undergo lengthy desensitisation and obedience training before applying for certification.
Note that temperament is a big factor that will affect whether or not your canine friend is suitable for the role.
An ideal therapy dog should have a lively and affectionate personality. Moreover, he needs to adapt easily to changes in the environment and remain calm in distracting situations.
- Initiate a Dog Walking Trash Clean -Up
You can make a difference in the community and environment through small actions. Picking up trash whilst walking your pooch is a good example.
Think about inviting other dog owners in your neighbourhood to join the activity. Arm yourselves with disposable gloves and bags at least once or twice a week as you take your furry pals for a stroll.
This is also a good time to remind other dog parents to pick up after their pooches.
Maintaining clean surroundings is not only pleasing to the eyes but also protects both humans and pets from disease-carrying insects and parasites.
