Make this year your pet's best year yet.

We've compiled a New Year Pet Resolutions Guide to help you become a more confident pet parent, whether you're preparing to welcome a new furry family member or already have pets at home. Following this 6-step guide can help ensure you have the tools, resources, and support you need to keep your pets happy, safe, and home where they belong.

 

1. Make a Plan for Your Pet to Stay SAFE and HOME

One of the best ways to help keep your pet safe and prevent them from becoming permanently lost is to make sure they have proper identification.

A visible ID tag is often the fastest way to reunite a lost pet with their family. PetHub's digital pet ID tags provide access to a free online pet profile and a variety of lost pet tools when activated.

We also recommend microchipping your pet. While a microchip is an important backup form of identification, it works best when paired with a visible ID tag. The most effective approach is layered protection:

• A visible ID tag
• A registered microchip
• Up-to-date contact information

Together, these tools provide the best chance of bringing your pet home quickly if they ever become separated from you.

2. Pet-Proof Your Home

Just like bringing home a new baby, welcoming a pet often means making a few adjustments around the house.

Keep household cleaners, medications, batteries, and other potentially harmful items out of reach. It's also important to be aware of pet-toxic plants, foods, candles, and household products that could cause illness or injury if consumed.

And as many pet parents know, boredom can sometimes lead to unwanted behaviors. Providing safe entertainment and enrichment opportunities while you're away can help keep pets engaged and mentally stimulated.

Services like DOGTV are designed specifically for pets and can provide visual and auditory stimulation while you're away from home.

3. Talk to a Professional

Different pets have different exercise, training, nutrition, and health needs. Some breeds thrive with hours of daily activity, while others are perfectly happy spending most of the day relaxing at home.

Learning about your pet's breed history, personality, and individual needs can help you make better decisions about training, enrichment, nutrition, and overall care.

We always recommend building a strong relationship with your veterinarian. They can help guide you through everything from preventive care to behavioral concerns.

Questions don't always happen during office hours, though.

Veterinary telehealth services like Dutch can help connect pet parents with licensed veterinary professionals who can provide guidance on health, nutrition, and behavioral concerns from the comfort of home. It's a convenient way to get trusted advice when you're unsure about symptoms, behavior changes, or next steps.

4. Get Pet Insurance

Pet insurance remains one of the most overlooked aspects of pet parenthood.

One common mistake pet parents make is waiting until after a pet has been diagnosed with a major illness or condition before researching insurance options. Unfortunately, most pet insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions.

If you're a new pet parent, the best time to explore pet insurance is before you need it.

Unexpected veterinary expenses can quickly add up, and having coverage in place can provide valuable financial protection and peace of mind.

Check out our special pet insurance comparison tool to compare plans and find the best option for you and your pet.

5. Stock Up on Play and Training Supplies

Pets, especially puppies and kittens, need regular mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

Without appropriate outlets for their energy, they may decide that your furniture, shoes, pillows, or other household items make excellent toys.

Before bringing home a new pet, be sure to stock up on toys, enrichment activities, and training tools that encourage healthy play and learning.

One of the easiest ways to keep enrichment fresh is to regularly introduce new toys, scents, textures, and challenges. Subscription services like BarkBox can help by delivering a rotating selection of toys and treats designed to keep dogs engaged and entertained.

For cats, services like KitNipBox can be a convenient way to discover new toys, treats, and enrichment opportunities tailored specifically to feline interests.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our guide to mental enrichment for dogs to learn how simple activities can help prevent boredom and encourage healthy behaviors.

6. Be Prepared to Have Patience

It's important to understand that pets, whether young or old, need time to adjust to a new environment, routine, and family.

Training challenges, accidents, and setbacks are all normal parts of the process.

Consistency is often more important than perfection. Establishing routines, rewarding positive behaviors, and remaining patient can go a long way toward helping your pet succeed.

If you run into challenges, don't be afraid to seek help from trainers, veterinarians, or behavior professionals. There are more resources available to pet parents today than ever before.

Following the steps in our New Year Pet Resolutions Guide can help set both you and your pet up for a successful year together.

Our goal is simple: helping pets stay happy, safe, healthy, and home with the people who love them.