by Blake Herzog
It’s part of human nature to look at the new year as a clean slate, a tabula rasa on which we can draw up a desired destination over the upcoming 365 days by exercising more, eating cleaner and testing our brains. Our pets may not grasp this concept as instinctively as we do, but they can still benefit from some healthy tweaks to their routine for 2026.
It doesn’t matter whether you have a dog, cat, horse or bearded dragon — your animal friend deserves the best year possible.
We’re going to focus on dogs and cats, but no matter what other species you have in your home you’re likely to be able to find many ideas online and some of the same principles here will apply.
Diet
If your dog or cat is not on a prescribed diet, take a look at their food and whether it’s as nutritious as it could be. They have different nutritional needs to keep in mind: dogs are omnivores and can eat a wider variety of ingredients like vegetables and carbs, while cats are obligate carnivores and required to consume more nutrients they cannot synthesize for themselves.
One basic thing to look for on all pet food packaging is an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement confirming the contents meet the nutritional needs of the species and age group you’re feeding, as determined by experts advising the Association of American Feed Control Officers, and meets its labeling requirements. Pet food is regulated at the federal and state levels.
Exercise
Cats and dogs have different needs for different types of exercises. Cats tend to be solitary, independent hunters like their ancestors, and can get their approximately 30 minutes of exercise per day through play with people, other pets or their own toys. If they don’t seem to be active enough, take some time to tempt them with a teasing toy or take them on a short walk, if they’re leash-trained.
Almost all dogs can be leash-trained and taking them for at least one walk every day will go a long way toward them getting the exercise they need. Their needs vary by their size and age from about 30 minutes to two hours for the largest and most energetic breeds.
Maintaining a daily routine will keep your pet happy and occupied enough to cut back on any undesirable behaviors like chewing, digging and barking.
Grooming
All pets need some level of grooming by their owners to keep their skin and hair healthy, free of fleas, ticks and other parasites and stop mat formation dead in its tracks.
Cats are famous for their self-grooming but should be brushed regularly to prevent shedding and hairballs, as should their mats. Establish a routine for weekly if not more frequent grooming. However, most will fight any attempt to bathe them so don’t do it unless you must.
Dogs’ needs vary with their size, but most should be bathed at home or by the groomer every six to eight weeks. Short-haired dogs should be brushed at least weekly, and more frequently if they have an undercoat. Those with long, silky or wiry hair will need a trim every four to eight weeks depending on their rate of hair growth. Their nails should be trimmed every one to two months.
More preventive steps
Don’t neglect teeth
Pets should have their teeth cleaned, either by their owners or their vet. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a cat or dog who will allow you to do this, make sure you use only veterinary grade products, which can be purchased online, at your vet’s office, pet stores and some big-box stores.
Get them microchipped
It’s the best way we have to identify them if they should ever get separated from their pet parents. A collar and tag will make that process easier, but they’re not foolproof. As long as you register the tag and keep your information current, the benefits greatly outweigh the small risks of the chip migrating or causing other problems.
