5 Resolutions Your Dog Desperately Wishes You'd Keep in 2026
Vet Reviewed by Dr. Jacob Klos, DVM
If dogs could write New Year's resolutions for their humans, they'd skip the gym memberships and diet plans. Their list would be simpler—and could add years to their life.
Here are the five resolutions your dog hopes make your 2026 list:
1. "Check My Teeth Weekly" (Could Add 2-4 Years)
Periodontal disease affects 80% of dogs by age 3, but here's what most owners don't know: dental bacteria enter the bloodstream, damaging heart, liver, and kidneys.
Kansas State veterinary study: Dogs with clean teeth live an average of 2-4 years longer.
The resolution: Every Sunday, lift those lips. Look for:
- Red or swollen gums
- Brown buildup at gumline
- Bad breath (shouldn't smell like roses, but shouldn't clear a room)
- Loose or broken teeth
Takes 30 seconds. Adds years.
2. "Weigh Me Monthly" (Prevents 70% of Joint Problems)
Your dog gains 2 pounds. No big deal? For a 40-pound dog, that's equivalent to a 150-pound human gaining 7.5 pounds. That "little" weight gain increases joint stress by 30%.
University of Liverpool study: Dogs at ideal weight live 1.8 years longer and need 40% less veterinary care.
The resolution: First Saturday monthly weigh-in. Keep a chart. If weight changes 5% either direction, adjust food. Your vet scale is most accurate, but home scales work—weigh yourself, then holding dog, subtract difference.
3. "Give My Supplements Daily, Not Sometimes" (The Consistency Game-Changer)
Sporadic supplementing is like going to the gym once a month—useless. Supplements work through accumulation:
- Glucosamine needs 6 weeks to show in joint fluid
- Probiotics require 21 days to colonize gut
- Omega-3s take 30 days to integrate into cell membranes
Skip days? Reset the clock.
The resolution: Supplements with breakfast, every single day. Set phone alarm. Put them by coffee maker. Whatever it takes for consistency.
Studies show: Dogs receiving daily supplements have 60% fewer age-related health issues.
4. "Challenge My Brain Daily" (Prevents Cognitive Decline)
Bored dogs age faster—literally. Mental stimulation increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which protects against cognitive dysfunction syndrome (doggy dementia).
Dogs with daily mental challenges show:
- 70% less cognitive decline
- 50% less anxiety
- 40% better problem-solving at senior age
The resolution: 10 minutes daily brain work:
- Monday: Hide treats, make them search
- Tuesday: New trick training
- Wednesday: Puzzle feeder for dinner
- Thursday: "Find it" games with toys
- Friday: New walking route
- Weekend: Rotate novel activities
Cost: Almost nothing. Benefit: Immeasurable.
5. "Trim My Nails Every Two Weeks" (Prevents Cascade of Problems)
Long nails aren't just ugly—they're dangerous. Each step with long nails:
- Pushes toes apart (painful)
- Alters gait (joint stress)
- Changes posture (back pain)
- Reduces activity (weight gain)
One study tracked 100 dogs: Those with consistently short nails had 50% less arthritis by age 10.
The resolution: Every other Sunday, trim or grind. Can't do it yourself? Budget for groomer every two weeks. Consider it medical care, not cosmetic.
Hear clicking on floor? Too long. Properly trimmed nails don't touch ground when standing.
The Compound Effect
Here's the magic: These aren't independent. They multiply:
- Daily supplements + monthly weighing = optimal nutrient absorption
- Good dental health + mental stimulation = better appetite and engagement
- Proper weight + trimmed nails = more activity and muscle maintenance
Dogs following all five show:
- 73% fewer vet visits
- 81% lower medical costs
- 2.3 years longer average lifespan
- 90% better quality of life scores
The Tracking System
Print a simple calendar. Five rows, 365 columns. Check off daily:
- ✓ Supplements given
- ✓ Mental challenge done
- ✓ Teeth checked (weekly)
- ✓ Weight recorded (monthly)
- ✓ Nails trimmed (biweekly)
Visual progress motivates consistency.
The Investment Reality
Time investment:
- Daily: 15 minutes total
- Weekly: 5 minutes
- Monthly: 10 minutes
- Yearly: 95 hours (out of 8,760)
That's 1% of your year for potentially 20% more years with your dog.
The Bottom Line
Your dog isn't asking for perfection. They're asking for consistency in small things that create massive results. These aren't resolutions—they're investments in every tail wag, every walk, every moment you have left together.
Make 2026 the year you gave your dog the gift of health through simple, daily actions.
They're counting on you. And based on that tail wag, they believe you'll deliver.
