The new year is upon us. It’s time to take a look back on the past year and determine what we might want to change, do better or accomplish in 2016. For pet parents, much of this reflection applies to the lives they share with their pets.
TripsWithPets.com surveyed pet parents and asked them what resolutions they’ve made for 2016 relating to their pets. Here are the top five 2016 pet new year’s resolutions:
Healthier Diet
Feeding their pets better quality food is at the top of pet parents’ lists this year. They’ve been doing their research and are wanting to do all they can to ensure their little ones live a long, happy and healthy life. Whether it’s gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, raw food, unprocessed food or probiotics—pet parents are coming for you in 2016.
Daily Walks
Whether it’s a walk through the park, a stroll around the neighborhood or a jog along hiking trails, 26 percent of pet parents surveyed plan to get outside each day and move with their pets this year. They cited exercise, maintaining their pack leader status and bonding as their motivation for walking their pooch more often.
More Outings
More car rides, doggie bakery visits, beach outings and family vacations are among the activities that respondents said they are resolved to doing more of with their four-legged family members. Getting out and spending some quality time with their pets to make that bond even stronger is at the top of many pet parents minds this year.
Socialization
As more pet parents opt to take their pets on more outings, there comes the need to better socialize them. Fifteen percent of pet parents polled are committed to helping their shy, skittish or fearful pet become more comfortable around people, other pets and in public places.
Training
A close cousin of socialization, training comes in as the fifth most popular pet resolution of 2016. We all can’t have the perfectly mannered pet, but a good number of pet parents plan to devote the time to curb some not-so-favorable behavior. From teaching Rover not to bark at house guests and drag you while on walks to practicing better recall (getting your dog to come when called) and training your cat to stay off kitchen counters…pet parents are ready to put on their pet whisperer hat.
Kim Salerno is the president and founder of www.tripswithpets.com.
