The new year is the perfect time to set new routines and reset your resolutions and rituals. But let's be honest, we have all made countless resolutions throughout the year that we forgot about, found too hard to maintain, or had other priorities. Want to know the secret to making and maintaining your New Year's resolutions? It's creating accountability. Finding a friend to keep you accountable for your New Year's resolution is crucial to staying consistent and making real, healthy changes.
This year, we’re proposing one step better. Set a New Year's resolution and healthy habit changes with your pet. By picking easy and impactful changes you and your pet can make together, you're keeping each other accountable, spending quality time with your furry friend, and making sure you both enter the New Year happy and healthy.
Dogs thrive on consistency, movement, and nutrient-rich foods. All things that humans benefit from, too! Here are five simple, healthy habits you AND your pup can add to your routine to start the new year feeling fresh.
Habit 1: Give You and Your Pups Nutrition an Upgrade
Proper nutrition is crucial for your dog's overall health and well-being. Diet significantly impacts a dog's energy levels, skin & coat, immune system, digestion, and more. On the other hand, if dogs aren't getting the essential nutrients their bodies need, it can lead to obesity, allergies, and digestive issues.
Not all dog food brands are created equally. Some dog foods use filler ingredients to reduce production costs, which can often lead to a lack of vital nutrients in the food you're feeding your dog. More importantly, though, kibble-based diets and dehydrated dog food need to be rehydrated. Supplementing your dog's food with meal toppers like bone broth for dogs is an easy and effective way to ensure your dog is getting all of the essential nutrients and hydration they need to stay healthy.
Brutus Bone Broth is human-grade bone broth formulated to ensure your pup gets the necessary supplements to support hip & joint, digestive, and immune health. Brutus Broth is formulated with vet-recommended levels of glucosamine, chondroitin, and turmeric to promote mobility and long-term joint wellness. It is naturally rich in protein, collagen, amino acids, and minerals to support digestion, skin & coat health, hydration, teeth, and energy levels. Brutus Broth is also gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, non-GMO, MSG-free, low in phosphorus, and formulated specifically for pets.
Habit 2: Prioritize Daily Movement
Regular exercise is crucial to dog health. They benefit from improved organ and lung function. It makes them look and feel better and often results in less nervous, destructive behavior when left alone. Daily exercise has been proven to help dog health in the following ways:
1. Weight Management
According to VCA Hospitals, more than 50% of dogs are overweight. Regular exercise can help dogs burn off excess calories, which in turn helps prevent weight gain, joint problems, heart disease, and diabetes.
If your dog gets into trouble when left alone, you know how crucial it is to wear them out through regular exercise. Dogs that receive adequate physical activity are often calmer, more relaxed, and less prone to anxiety or aggression.
3. Improved Cardiovascular Health
Just like humans, dogs need a healthy cardiovascular system to thrive and live their best lives. Regular exercise strengthens the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, promoting overall cardiovascular health.
Consistent movement is also crucial for humans' mental and physical well-being. Daily exercise improves heart health, mental clarity, and stress levels. Getting outside with your dog for daily walks, hikes, or even tossing the ball benefits both of you.
Brutus on the Go is the perfect pocket-sized companion to fuel your dog's outdoor time. Making sure your pup stays hydrated during outdoor activity is crucial to their health. Simply add Brutus On The Go to your dog's water to boost hydration and keep the outdoor time going strong. Consider a Springland Water Bottle to make refueling breaks even easier.
Habit 3: Stay Hydrated
With all these new healthy habits being incorporated into your routine, it's still important to focus on the basics. Like making sure you stay hydrated. Proper hydration supports you and your dog's digestion, energy levels, organ function, and overall well-being. Dogs are especially prone to dehydration in the winter months, when they may drink less or during active play.
A quick hack for staying hydrated throughout the day is to bring a reusable water bottle to work, school, and the gym. Have a hard time getting excited to drink water? Consider adding electrolytes, such as Salud or fruit, to your water to create a flavorful, refreshing alternative to plain water.
To keep your dogs hydrated throughout the day, keep their water bowls full and clean. Some dogs won't drink water if their bowl is dirty, so make sure to rinse it quickly after mealtime. If your dog needs an extra hydration boost, add Goat Milk by Brutus Broth as a meal topper. Goat Milk by Brutus Broth adds creamy hydration without upsetting your dog's tummy. It’s perfect for picky eaters and is formulated with no fillers, gums, artificial ingredients, added salt, or preservatives.
Habit 4: Keep Up With Preventive Care
Keeping up with preventive care benefits your and your dog's health, saves you money, and reduces stress and the risk of unexpected emergencies. Below is a checklist for humans and dogs to help you ensure preventive care as you head into the new year.
Human Checklist
- Annual physical exam in January to kick off the new year.
- Dental cleanings, eye exams, and basic bloodwork.
- Consider supplements (vitamin D, omega-3s, probiotics) as recommended by a doctor.
Dog Checklist
- Annual vet wellness exam, even if your dog seems healthy.
- Dental care: brush at home + yearly professional cleaning.
- Grooming routine: brush-outs, nail trim, ear checks.
- Update flea/tick/heartworm preventatives.
- A daily serving of Brutus Bone Broth to support long-term joint, digestive, and immune health, making it a simple preventive wellness ritual.
Habit 5: Try Something New Together
Small changes in your dog's daily routine stimulate their brain and reduce boredom. Making time to incorporate and try new activities into your and your dog's routine allows you and your pet to spend quality time together and bond in new ways. Here are some simple “new things” to start 2026 with:
1. Take a new walking route.
Changing your dog's typical walking routine allows your dog to experience new sounds, smells, and environments, all of which are crucial to keeping your dog mentally stimulated. It's also an excellent way for you to explore a new part of your neighborhood!
2. Learn a new trick
Spend half an hour teaching your dog a new trick and practice it throughout the month when giving them treats. Teaching your dog a new trick is a great way to keep them stimulated, and a fun indoor activity when the weather is cold. Try teaching them to rollover, spin, or tidy up toys!
3. Cook a dog-friendly recipe.
Try out one of Brutus Broth's signature recipes in the Brutus Broth Recipe Book. Changing up your dog's typical diet with dog-safe meals and snacks is a great activity to keep you both engaged!
Start 2026 with your dog by your side with healthy habits that are both meaningful and achievable. When you focus on small, consistent routines like better nutrition, daily movement, and proper hydration, those choices add up to long-term wellness for both of you. There’s no need to be perfect; progress comes from showing up each day and finding joy in caring for your pup while caring for yourself. Pick one or two habits to start this week, build from there, and make Brutus Broth part of your daily routine to support a healthier, happier year together. After the habits are established, it’ll be impossible to break them with those puppy eyes staring at you to keep them going.