We are about to start a new year. 2014 signals a fresh start. If you are making some New Years' resolutions this year, then you may want to consider your pets. By making resolutions that benefit your animals, you may be able to help them have an enjoyable and healthy year for 2014. Veterinarians suggest that you may want to make a new years' resolution to measure your pet's food. If Fido is getting a little on the chubby side, or if Fluffy doesn't fit through the dog door like she used to, you may want to start measuring your pet's food consistently. Oftentimes pets gain weight when their owners don't measure their food. Like humans, animals need portion control.

Resolve to try a new activity with your pet. When your animal exercises, it can boost his or her health. Just like humans, a healthy dose of exercise is very nutritious for your animals. You may want to seek out neighbors or friends that also have pets and you can also exercise together to collectively increase your animal's health. This may mean running or walking with your dog or taking your animal to the dog park for a few hours. You may want to consider incorporating more playtimes into your daily routine. Play fetch with your dog for a while, or play with your kitten with a ribbon or a laser toy. Playing with your pet will make sure that they are getting the aerobic activity that they need.

Another pet resolution you may want to commit to is choosing the right food for your pet based on his or her age. A puppy is going to need to eat a puppy-chow diet, while an aging dog may need to be put on a senior diet. If you got a puppy for Christmas and are just starting to care for your animal, make sure that you ask a veterinarian which food he or she recommends for the animal. Giving your pet the healthy nutrients he or she needs is essential to the animal's health.

Oral hygiene is essential, and if you don't care for your pet's teeth at present then this may be your new years' resolution. You should brush your pet's teeth daily and help to remove plaque from the animal's pearly whites. As well, you may want to add dental aid to your pet's water or purchase treats that are designed to reduce tartar buildup.

Resolve to groom your pet frequently. If your animal has long hair, this is an essential habit that you will want to commit too. When a dog is not groomed for weeks on end, the fur can get tangled and can create knots. As well, this will create severe discomfort for the animal. Whether you have a cat, a dog, a chinchilla, a long-haired rabbit, or any other animal with fur you will want to commit to groom the animal frequently. You can also take your pet to the groomer's on a regular basis if you would prefer to do this.

An important pet new year's resolution should be to make a date with your local vet. If you do not have a local vet, our directory may be able to help you locate a reliable individual near you. You will want to take your animal in for regular check-ups to make sure that he or she is very healthy and isn't experiencing any diseases. Veterinary visits are also a great time to ask your vet for advice about your pets diet and exercise regimen. If you are experiencing behavioral issues with your pet, a vet may also be able to help you with this. Find a local vet on our directory today!