January is the time for setting intentions for the year in front of us, especially when it comes to our well-being—but have you set any for your dog yet? New Year’s isn’t just the time for your own goals, but an opportunity to make wellness, good vibes, and good health a priority for your four-legged BFF, too.
Enter: Your dog-friendly 2024 wellness bucket list. Together with Nature’s Recipe, we’re taking notes from wellness-loving wanderluster Katie Boué and her dog Spaghetti as they start their own bucket list for the year. Plus, veterinarian
Shagufta Mulla, DVM, is sharing tips on how to support your dog's well-being (hint: it starts with filling their bowl with high-quality food) and fuel more wag-worthy adventures together in 2024—despite the chillier weather.
Read up on all their intel below, and pause for a few interactive games along the way—because blazing a trail into the new year is an adventure that should always involve fun.
In Partnership With
Dr. Mulla recommends prioritizing high-quality protein sources that are appropriate for your dog’s life stage, lifestyle, and health status.
Find Your Food FormulA
Your favorite part of your dog
I love my dog so much because of their cute ,
attitude, and .
The first adjective that pops into your head when you think of them
The funniest habit they have
To show my dog how much I love them,
I’m going to more this year.
A well-being boosting action
My dog’s favorite way to move is , so this
year we’re going to try to incorporate it into our routine
times a week.
A feasible number of times you could do it per week
Your dog’s favorite way
to exercise
One way I’m going to support my dog’s nutrition in 2024
is by .
A healthy-eating goal
I’ve always wanted to take my dog to , and
this year we’re going to make that happen by .
Whatever time frame
works for you
A cool place your dog has never been
Set Your Tailblazing Intentions
“Keep it healthy, but spoil your pets,” Boué says. Giving your dog food with yummy ingredients they love (think: sweet potatoes or pumpkin) can be a fun way for both of you to bond.
Starting the new year off right by fueling your bodies (and wags) with nutrient-rich food is good advice for you *and* for your pup. Dr. Mulla advises talking to your vet about what diet is best for your dog.
Grain Free Chicken & Duck Recipe in Savory Broth
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Click the cards to reveal nutrition insights from Dr. Mulla and Boué.
Fill in the blanks and screenshot to save.
Not sure what to add to your and your dog’s 2024 wellness bucket list? Take your cues from Dr. Mulla, Boué, and Spaghetti.
Get Inspired
“A pet’s dietary needs change over the course of their life due to age, health, and lifestyle. Talk with your veterinarian about what food your pet is on, to determine if they could benefit from a change.”
Make sure your dog’s diet is up to snuff
Do something just for your pet
“Add a line to your New Year's goal that you know will make your pet particularly happy. For Spaghetti, that’s off-leash hikes. At every destination, I’ll research the best local trails where pups are allowed to explore leashless, and make sure we carve out time to enjoy the outdoors together.”
Find your “sunny spot.”
“Spaghetti is the master of finding patches of sunshine. She’ll contort her body to fit the exact size and shape of the little ray of light, lay down, and soak it all in. Do the same thing––metaphorically. Find the bright spots in life, and spend as much time there as possible. Happiness (and sunshine) is health.”
“Getting into a brushing routine can be challenging at first, but over the long run, better dental health contributes to overall health. When tartar builds up, oral bacteria can end up in the bloodstream and affect organs like the heart. If your pet’s dental health hasn’t been evaluated in the past 6 to 12 months, make it a priority to do so.”
Make teeth brushing a habit
– Dr. Shagufta Mulla
– Katie Boué
– Katie Boué
– Dr. Shagufta Mulla
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Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe
Training your dog to locate a specific scent and alert you once they’ve found it is a brain-engaging activity that can be done rain, snow, or shine. “Because a dog’s sense of smell is so powerful, scent work is a great way to engage their mind and body,” Dr. Mulla says.
Scent Work
1
“Sledding with your dog can provide a fun activity that they normally don’t do at other times of the year,” Dr. Mulla says. “Not only does this add variety and excitement to their routine, running or walking back up the hill is great exercise for dogs who are in good health.”
Sledding
2
Tap into the well-being benefits of relationships by switching up the route on your daily walks and hitting new parks along the way, where you might run into new friends (both human and canine). “If you and your dog are in need of some socializing, parks are a great way to shake off the winter blues and interact with others,” Dr. Mulla says. Just make sure you both dress warmly—small or senior dogs may benefit from wearing a coat on top of their coat.
Socializing
3
Getting outside with your pup once the weather grows colder can be tricky—but the fresh air is just as good for your dog as it is for you. Try one of these cold-weather activities suggested by Dr. Mulla.
Start Moving Mindfully
I love my dog so much because of their cute ,
attitude, and .
attitude,
My dog’s favorite way to move is
, so this
year we’re going to try to incorporate
it into our routine
times a week.
year we’re going to try to incorporate
it into our routine
times a week.
I’ve always wanted to take my dog to , and
this year we’re going to make that happen by .