Top 3 Vows Every Pet Owner Should Take This Year

Thinkstock

1. I will not feed my dog or cat table scraps.

Studies show your pet will live a longer, healthier life if she’s in good shape, yet 40 to 70% of the pet population is overweight or obese. The extra pounds strain your animal’s musculoskeletal system, heart, and lungs.

RELATED: Is Your Pet Too Pudgy?

To maintain a healthy weight, a cat should be consuming around 200 calories a day, on average, and a large dog needs just 800–but it’s impossible to keep track when you give her leftovers from your plate. Just one slice of bacon or an ounce of steak, for example, has about 50 calories–and the high fat content can lead to a host of health issues, including inflammation of the pancreas, vomiting, and diarrhea. To help break the habit, opt for a low-cal pet snack if she begs during dinner, or keep her in another room when you sit down for a meal. 

Thinkstock

2. When I say no, I’ll mean it.

As hard as it is to reprimand that furry little face, setting rules will make for a better-behaved and happier animal. Owners don’t realize they are often to blame for their pets’ neuroses–such as jumping up during feeding time or scratching furniture–because they don’t consistently discourage the bad behavior. Get your family on the same page when it comes to enforcing rules: For example, make sure everyone gets your dog to sit and stay before you pour his food (and acknowledge when your pet listens with a simple reward, like a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears).

RELATED: 9 Pet Myths, Debunked!

If your cat is tearing up your couch or furniture with her claws, be extra firm when you say “no!” (spray her with a water gun for reinforcement, if necessary), and provide a catnip-laced scratching post as an alternative. Be consistent with positive feedback too–when she chooses the post instead of the couch, give her a treat.