In the new year, many people decide it’s a great time to get their health under control, lose weight, or make other major life changes, but what about making some better choices for the health and happiness of your favorite furry friend? With the way things have been the last couple of years, everyone could use some improvements.

Our pets are there for us in the best of times and the worst of times. The companionship of our pets is one of the things that kept hope alive during some of the hardest years of our lives. There are a lot of ways we can show our pets how much we love and appreciate them. Helping them live their best, healthy lives in 2022 and beyond is as easy as making a few changes here and there.

For people, self-care is really important. We make sure to choose shampoo and conditioner that has the best ingredients so we don’t damage our hair. We buy ourselves nice clothes because when we look our best, we feel our best. Well, our fur babies deserve that same energy. If you don’t take your dog to the groomer very often, start taking them monthly for a shampoo and blowout, along with having their nails cleaned and trimmed up.

You can even retire their older collar or harness for a new one. A fresh outfit after a new haircut is a popular way for humans to feel nice, so doing the same for our pets is a great choice, too. If you love taking your dog to the local bike path or dog park, consider getting them a walking set, complete with a leash and matching collar or harness. The walking sets that Wild One offers are high quality and quite stylish. Your pup is sure to turn heads on your next walk. They also offer supplements, shampoo and conditioner, poop bags, and more, all designed just for dogs.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to start eating better, think about looking into what you’re feeding your pets. Sure, you can find affordable dog food at your local supermarket or big box store, but have you checked the list of ingredients? It turns out that many of the major dog food brands add lots of fillers to the foods, as well as other ingredients that aren’t always the most gentle on a dog’s digestive system. You can also do a quick Google search, asking if the food you currently feed your dog is safe, and you’ll see relevant recalls, news articles, and more.

One of the best things you can do for your furry companion is feed them premium dog food. Sure, some of the premium options that are on the market tend to be pricey, but the health of your pup is worth it. When you feed your dog lower quality foods, you risk feeding them fillers, grains, and other things that aren’t good for their digestion.

While we all love our dogs, and many people consider them our ‘kids’, they are still animals that have animalistic needs. One of those needs is outdoor time. Some dogs are good with just going for a walk or two a day, while others would love to frolic in the snow for hours on end. During the summer, it can be hard to get out of the air conditioning, and you may not want your dog to be in the heat, considering their thick coat of fur, but there are some ways to beat the heat during the summer.

Many people are surprised to find out that their dogs love playing in the water. If you have a backyard, you can set up a cheap sprinkler from your local dollar store and let your puppy run around in the spray. Alternatively, many dogs love getting in the water all the way. A small plastic kiddie pool is a fun way for your dog to cool off. Otherwise, if you have a regular pool, they may love to swim around with you. If you’re concerned about their ability to swim, or you just want them to be able to lounge in the water, you could get one of the dog pool floats on the market. There’s no reason your furry companion can’t go swimming with you during the dog days of summer.

If there’s one thing many dogs love, it’s going on exciting adventures. Many people notice that as soon as they put on their shoes and grab their keys and their dog's leash, their pup is bouncing with excitement, ready to see what kind of fun they’re about to have with their human. If your dog is a fan of car rides, take a look online and see if you can find a touchless car wash near me. Many dogs get really excited to go through the car wash when they get to go on adventures.

For those with dogs that have a lot of energy and love to play outside, you could take them to a local dog park, or check out one of the parks in a nearby town. If you like outdoor fun and exercise, too, check out some local forest preserves or hiking trails. Make sure to bring a small dish and plenty of water so you and your dog can take plenty of breaks to stay hydrated.

Whether your pup is normally on the nervous side, or they mainly just freak out during fireworks and thunderstorms, anxiety is much more common in dogs than many people realize. No matter what the reasoning behind their nerves, there are ways that you can help calm them. Keep an eye out for the signs of anxiety in dogs, as some of them are subtle. But once you know what to look for, it’ll be easy to work on getting your dog comfortable.

Making sure they get plenty of exercises is a great first step, but some dogs need a little more help. If they’re showing signs of anxiety, pet them and make sure they know you’re there. Some dogs like the calming shirts and coats. Additionally, there are many supplements made to help, such as cbd for dogs.

Of all the things you can do to make sure your dog stays healthy, making sure they have adequate healthcare is one of the most important. You can keep an eye on their overall health at home, by paying attention to their eating and drinking habits, checking their eyes, ears, and mouth regularly for sores or abnormalities, and taking them to the vet for their vaccines and routine check-ups.

Medical care can add up, so opting for pet insurance can make a big difference in how much you’re paying out of pocket. Pet insurance also comes in handy in the event that you find out bad news at the vet and discover that your dog is sick and in need of further medical care or medications. Most people don’t expect that their pet will need expensive medical care, but the insurance can offset some of that expense.