We’re only halfway through January, and you’ve already broken all your New Year’s resolutions. Oh, well. Better luck next year.

Don’t give up so easily! As a pet owner, keeping one very important resolution is possible for you:

"I resolve to be more physically and mentally healthy in 2012."

I know. This sounds like a pretty tall order. But by loving your pet and being good to her health and well being, you can in turn be good to your own health, too. How’s that for a win-win situation?

Here are three steps to loving your pet for her and your health’s sake in 2012.

1. Love Your Pet By Getting Her Active

How Your Pet Benefits:

An active pet is a happy, healthy pet! Inactive cats and dogs can quickly become obese. And just like people, obese pets easily develop problems like diabetes, heart disease, and other health dangers. These facts are pretty alarming when you consider that an estimated 54% of dogs and cats in the US are overweight.

How You Benefit:

When you get your pet active, you become active, too. Once you’re committed to your pet’s health needs, her health becomes your motivation to keep your own ambitious health resolutions. This means that when the familiar "I-don’t-feel-like-walking" feeling hits, your pet’s ecstatically wagging tail and "Let’s-go-walking!" sounds will inspire you to get into your jogging shoes.

Need a bit more of a push in the right direction? My last post highlighted Project Pet Slimdown, a new weight-management program for you and your pet. Why not sign up for it today and let us know what you think in the Reply section below!

2. Love Your Pet By Spending Quality Bonding Time With Her

How Your Pet Benefits:

Your pet loves being loved. Besides keeping her physically active, keep her happy by petting her, teaching her new tricks, or by just being playful with her. When dogs and cats don’t get enough attention, they often become board. The result? Depression, clawing, chewing, digging, excessive barking or meowing, and other negative behaviors. Pet birds often resort to feather plucking and aggression when neglected.

How You Benefit:

Did you know that spending 30 minutes with your dog or cat can increase your production of serotonin? That’s good news for you because serotonin is a chemical associated with well-being. Studies have also suggested that pet owners have lower blood pressure than people who don’t own pets. So to boost your mood and reduce your mental stress this year, prescribe yourself some quality time with the one who’s always there for you.

3. Love Your Pet By Cutting Back On Things That Will Make Her Sick

How Your Pet Benefits:

You’ve heard the horror stories of pets getting dangerously ill from eating things they shouldn’t. Why not show your pet how much you love her by keeping fewer pet-dangerous items in your home? Some of the things that are very bad for cats and dogs include:

• Tobacco smoke

• Chocolate

• Alcohol

• Sugary foods and drinks

• Caffeine

• Salt

How You Benefit:

To truly bond with your pet, the two of you can cut back on unhealthy foods together. Let your love for her be an added motivational push to cut back on things that are bad for her and for you. Imagine yourself at the end of 2012 being able to say to your pet, "I quit smoking, and I did it for us both!"