Health & Wellness Goals for Your Dog in 2025

Posted by Billy Francis

Diet, exercise and good habits all contribute to furry family members living a long and fulfilled life. To help Fido feel his best in 2025, we’ve identified seven key health and wellness goals for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Check out these nose-to-tail recommendations for your pup.

1. Make 2025 Nutritious and Delicious

“Enough with the questions. Let’s get to the samples.” Photo by Petco

Canine and human nutritionists agree that diet is the best way to improve health, so make 2025 the year you step up Fido’s dinnertime routine. With so many products to choose from, we know it can be hard to tell the difference between fad and fantastic. It’s important to speak with your veterinarian about your pet’s specific need, but here are a few options to consider.

Food

What your pooch eats every day is critical. From human-grade foods to weight-loss formulas, you can find a diet to fit Fido’s needs. WholeHearted is Petco’s in-house brand of food and treats. Packed full of real animal protein, its products are free of grain, corn, soy and wheat (with wholesome grain options) and are specialized for all ages, breeds and sizes. WholeHearted foods also have Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coats. JustFoodForDogs has a focus on fresh. Every recipe is made by hand in open kitchens and delivered to local stores to maintain freshness. The chefs use 100% human-grade ingredients and add zero preservatives to make nutrient-dense, minimally processed meals. If your dog has special dietary needs or conditions, or you need breed-specific nutrition, Royal Canin offers a variety of vet-recommended food designed to maintain weight and digestive health, aid with kidney care, food sensitivities and more.

Treats

Treats are handy for training and pampering your best bud. They can be used to reward good behavior or just as a snack between meals. Just like daily food, matching your dog’s lifestyle to the right treats is necessary for optimal health, but veterinarians recommend that treats only make up 10 percent of his diet. Even when it comes to indulging your pup, you can make smart choices. For example, Charlee Bear Grain Free Treats are made with garden veggies, cranberries, chicken liver and real cheese, and they're baked to perfection for irresistible crunchiness. Merrick Power Bites Real Dog Treats are grain- and poultry-free and feature real, deboned beef as the prime ingredient. And Etta Says! Sit! Training Treats have less than three calories each, so you can motivate your dog without overdoing it. Remember, you can spoil Fido without spoiling his diet.

Dog Food Toppers

Toppers can add an extra scoop of nutrition to your dog’s daily routine. WholeHearted Chicken Recipe in Gravy can be mixed into regular dry food to transform a bland bowl into a delectable dish. Brutus Bone Broth is the only broth on the market that is fortified with extra joint-protecting supplements, and Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers is a raw alternative full of fiber and natural probiotics to maintain digestive health.

2. Prevention Is Better Than the Cure

“And I’m feeeeling good!” Photo by Petco

After addressing your pooch’s needs in the kitchen, it’s time to ensure she’s protected from the dangers of the big wide world. One way of combating illness is by visiting your veterinarian on a regular basis. Book an appointment in advance, so you never miss an important checkup.

Trips to the doc are important, but a little at-home maintenance can also go a long way. In addition to keeping them healthy with the right food and supplements, consider making preventative care part of your best friend’s routine in 2025. And with flea and tick season right around the corner, the time to act is now. Your pet’s fur is a penthouse apartment for these and other critters which, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems. Fortunately, there are many over-the-counter remedies that can help. Chewables like Advantus Flea Soft Chews are fast-acting and start to kill fleas within an hour. Sprays can be used to ward off infestation. Vet's Best Flea & Tick Dog & Home Spray is an all-natural blend used to kill fleas on beds and carpets. Collars can also be used in place of pills or droplets. Seresto Flea and Tick Collars kill and repel fleas for eight continuous months and prevent tick infestation.

3. Get Active in 2025

"Can someone toss this for me?" Photo by @remi_and_sully_doodles

Kickstart the new year by getting active with your pup. Exercise can help maintain ideal weight, prevent heart disease and give dogs and their owners time to bond. Getting fit with Fido can mean anything from tossing a Frisbee to slaloming through the woods on a bicycle with your best friend sprinting by your side.

Before you embark on any new activity with your canine, book a vet checkup to make sure he’s up to the task. You might also want to invest in suitable gear for your four-legged fitness buddy. Purchase a harness, leash and collar that will fit your pet and provide safety and protection for all your activities. Consider gear like a restraint that will keep Fido safe when traveling in the car, a sturdy harness for use on the trail or daily walks, or a dual leash if you plan to walk two pups at once. And if you want to play a game of fetch you can both enjoy, try the Bow Blaster by Spunky Pup which fires balls high in the sky for a canine HIIT workout.

4. Learn Something New

“High five!” Photo by Petco

Let’s not forget about mental fitness. Teaching your old (or young) dog new tricks is a great way to keep her mind sharp. How about expanding your pup’s vocabulary? The Teach Your Pet to Talk Starter Kit from Hunger for Words provides everything you need to work on Fido’s communication skills. Treat puzzles and hide-and-seek toys are also a great way to keep your pet’s mind stimulated.

If you need a little help with training, join like-minded dog lovers at a pet-friendly summer camp or sign up for some training courses. You can find a class for puppies and adults that teaches everything from behavior basics to loose leash techniques.

5. Protect the Skin and Coat

"Rub-a-dub-dub, three dogs in a tub." Photo by BringFido/Kim

If your pooch is exhibiting “telltail” signs of allergies, like itchiness, inflamed skin and sneezing, then it’s time to find a product to relieve the symptoms. You’ll also want to get Fido checked with a vet if the symptoms are ongoing, so you can rule out more serious medical issues. Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil can be added to a dog’s diet to strengthen the skin and create a barrier against allergies; Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Dog Capsules decrease inflammation and benefit joint function; and Hill’s Science Diet offers foods designed to support a healthy coat and skin.

Keeping long hair soft is a whole different ball game. Yes, Fido’s lustrous locks make him stand out from the crowd, but his “ruff-les” can also tangle easily and become matted. This can be extremely painful and in some cases cut off blood circulation. Regular grooming is the recommended antidote. You can use BringFido to find a highly-rated grooming salon near you.

There are also solutions for the modern dog who has no time for a salon visit. Detangle fur with a Self-Cleaning Slicker Dog Brush and tackle stubborn mats with a Mat Remover. During bath time, scrub your pup using the Messy Mutts Chenille Grooming Mit and Buddy Wash 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner. Dry him off with the Messy Mutts Ultra Soft Microfiber Towel which soaks up seven times its weight in water and attracts and holds dirt.

6. New Year, New Dental Regime

"Let me show off my pearly whites." Photo by @beans.norman

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. The aim of this event is to raise awareness about an often overlooked area of pet health, which goes far beyond obvious issues like oral pain. Bacteria can spread from the mouth to organs around the body. Most vets offer teeth cleaning and some groomers provide breath-refreshing treatments. If you can’t make it to the vet or salon, you can still stock up on a range of dental treats and products. Dogs love to chew, so why not get them something good for their teeth, too? Jax and Bones Rope Toys are designed to fray and act like doggie dental floss, while the Nylabone Dental Dinosaur Chew is covered in raised dental tips that clean teeth and massage gums. Wholehearted Smart Smiles are specially formulated to reduce plaque and tartar, and Black Sheep Organic Peppermint Toothpaste for Dogs is made with antibacterial and deodorizing ingredients to maintain healthy teeth and gums and help freshen breath.

7. Spend Quality Time Together

"This is the best year yet!" Photo by BringFido/Meghan

Pups are happiest when they’re by your side - that’s our motto at BringFido. Start planning fun adventures for the year ahead to make sure your pooch’s tail is wagging. Whether you’re marking off bucket list items, embarking on a road trip together, or simply wishing to spend more time playing fetch and exploring nature, there are plenty of opportunities waiting.