There are dozens of benefits to having pets, and one of them is helping you keep your New Year’s resolutions. By sharing resolutions with pets, you increase the chance that they will stick while having a chance to spend more time with them. It’s a win-win for the new year!

Get fit together. Walking 10,000 steps (or approximately five miles) a day might sound daunting at first, but the average 20- to 30-minute dog walk can shave 3,000 to 4,000 steps off that optimal goal. And since most people walk their dogs twice a day, many pet owners already meet their daily step goal. 

For pets, these 20- to 30-minute walks help burn calories, improve joint health, and boost their metabolism. Pet owners can enjoy the same benefits, plus reduce the risk of dementia by 50 percent and premature death by up to 55 percent. 

Walk a little faster or add some additional play time, and pets and pet owners can hit even more health goals. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (or a combination) throughout the week. Studies show moderate exercise can improve cardio health, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve moods.

As a general rule of thumb, consult your doctor and veterinarian if your exercise program is new for you or your pet. Exercise programs that are introduced gradually outlast more abrupt starts.  

Eat healthy together. A healthy diet is attributed to longer, happier, and healthier lives for pets and pet owners alike. Just like humans, nutrient-dense foods can provide energy, improve skin and coats, aid in digestion, and help in disease prevention. 

Making positive dietary changes with a pet can have some of the same benefits as starting one with another human. While a pet won’t be able to provide the same kind of accountability that a friend might offer, pet owners benefit from a shared motivation with their pet. 

By reinforcing the healthy, well-balanced diet changes made for a pet, the pet owner will automatically benefit from the positive social informed and shared experience. Many changes to a pet’s diet mirror human diets, including better food choices, portion control, and fewer treats. Pet owners can even monitor their progress along with their pets and make plans to celebrate successful milestones together! 

Take a class together. When people think about pet classes, they often think about obedience or service dog training. Those kinds of classes are undoubtedly worthwhile, but there are other activities pet owners can explore. 

Many communities support dog agility programs, social yoga classes for pets and pet owners, and a more formal Canine Good Citizen programs. One of the many activities pets and pet owners can enjoy is a barn hunt. Barn hunts are generally open to dogs of any breed that can fit through an 18-inch-wide bale-height tunnel and enjoy playing with their owner. 

Barn hunts are based on the traditional roles of many breeds in ridding farms, barns, crop storage areas, and homes of destructive vermin. In Barn Hunt, dogs safely locate rats hidden in a straw/hay bale maze, usually pointing the rat out to their nearby owner. There are more and more Barn Hunt clubs starting up across the country. 

K9 Nose Work is also becoming another fun sport for dogs, specifically. It’s similar to search-and-rescue work, with the dogs seeking out and finding different scents at home or at some other staged environment. Try searching for other play dates, too. Skijoring, dancing (with pets), and Rally-O are all becoming popular. 

Plan play dates together. Setting up play dates on a regular basis can be just as rewarding for the pet owner as the pet. Start by assessing what your pet might consider fun. If they enjoy the outdoors or the inside world, make your plans accordingly. 

For pets, friendly gatherings will allow them to release excess energy while developing social skills with other animals. Play dates are important so they learn to use their body language, communication skills, and make better decisions when enjoying other activities in less formal settings. 

Play dates can be equally beneficial for pet owners because it gives everyone a chance to get out of the house and socialize with other people who enjoy their pets. Depending on the pets involved, pet owners can invest most of their time participating in pet-related activities or doing something social while the pets entertain themselves. 

Once your pet is comfortable with others, they will be even more likely to enjoy themselves at daycare programs or pet camps when you can’t take them on a trip. It will also give you peace of mind anytime they are left behind.  

Mix and match your motivations. 

The bottom line is that every minute of time we spend with pets can be precious. So, by mirroring the things we want for them (or having them mirror the things we want for ourselves), we increase our chance of a rich and fulfilling life with our pets in fun and surprising ways. 

If you want to look forward to even more resolutions than these four — make a resolution to take them for an annual vet check-up and then schedule your own check-up too. Treat them to a mani-pedi and look for a pet-friendly spa for your turn. Or, plan to get out more when the weather is ideal and enjoy a walking tour or staycation in your city. 

Who knows? Maybe one of your resolutions with pets this year is to fill out online pet records right here with All About Spot. Updating pet records once a year or anytime there are major changes in their lives can help you enjoy a stress-free life together. Happy New Year!