The New Year is a perfect time to refresh habits — and include your furry friends in the journey. Whether it's fitness, diet, or mental wellness, making resolutions together with your pet strengthens bonds and boosts motivation. This cool, crisp winter weather is perfect for going out on a walk with your dog.

Make the most of our stunning parks and nature reserves to clear your mind and get your heart rate and imagination going.

The railway trails also offer a traffic-free stroll with lots of sights and sounds that you will both enjoy. Put away your phone so you can really take it in.

Go that extra mile for an added energy boost and check out the new nature reserve at High Point in Southampton, you’ll be glad you did.

This lovely winter weather also allows for playtime fun outdoors. Schedule some daily games of fetch, tug or agility drills.

Contact the agility groups on island if your dog is keen or take a look at Stanley Park for some off leash fun with friends.

New year is a great time to get yourself and your pet into healthy eating habits.

Portion control is a great way to limit their calorie intake. I advise using a measuring cup for accurate portions and trying to resist those table scraps.

When buying treats for your pet pay attention to the salt, fat and calorie contents and try to go for healthy options.

Ask your vet if you are not sure what these are. Your vet can also help you track your pet’s weight and adjust as necessary.

Keep yourself and your pet well hydrated by ensuring fresh water is always available and add ice cubes for fun.

Have a think about your pet’s mental wellness. Limit the amount of time your pet is crated or tethered and give them plenty of free-range time at home for stress relief.

Give them some new training challenges by teaching them new tricks or commands.

Cats can also benefit from this type of stimulation. Give your cat a new toy to play with and make time daily to play with them to keep it stimulating.

Have a look at cat furniture, blocks, rope walks and trees to enrich your indoor cat’s home environment.

I see some amazing set ups as I travel around the island for home vet visits.

Our Bermuda stone houses can feel quite cold at this time of year, so don’t forget a blanket if your pet feels the cold. My own dog loves a cozy blanket fresh from the dryer.

The new year is also a good time to think about health checkups for your pet. If you are not sure when their wellness exam is due, your vet will have a record and be able to tell you.

Drop them a line and make sure your pet is up to date on preventive care such as vaccines, deworming and dental cleaning.

Think about getting into a good grooming routine with your pet and schedule time for baths, nail trims, ear cleaning or visits to the groomers.

Combining your new year’s resolutions with your pet helps you to stay motivated.

Knowing how much your dog looks forward to their daily walk will help to prevent you from hitting that snooze alarm.

The extra walking will be great for your own fitness, and shared activities help to deepen the connection between you and your pet.

A great rule of thumb for both of you is to half the treats and double the exercise and set yourselves up for a happy and healthy 2026.

• Lucy Richardson graduated from Edinburgh University in 2005. She started CedarTree Vets in August 2012 with her husband, Mark. They live at the practice with their two children, Ray and Stella, and their dog and two cats. She is also the FEI national head veterinarian for Bermuda