The small, hopeful tail thump that seems to ask, “Is it my turn?” As we move into 2026, conversations around health and wellness are shifting. It’s no longer just about gym memberships, green juices, or step counts; it’s about presence, balance, and the relationships that ground us. “And for many of us, that relationship is with a pet who loves us unconditionally, even when our schedules seem to continuously get in the way,” says Marycke Ackhurst, Pet Behaviour Expert fromHill’s Pet Nutrition.
We all know that modern life is busy. Workdays stretch beyond the expected 9 to 5; screens blur into evenings, and “just five more minutes” becomes a habit. While we juggle deadlines, responsibilities, and exhaustion, our pets never leave our sides.
“As pet parents, we care deeply for our pets and do our utmost for them. We buy the best food, the best toys, and we always offer a cuddle on the couch or a tummy scratch just before bedtime. We (as well as our pets) just wish we had more time, more energy, and more space to show it,” explains Ackhurst.
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She adds that studies show what pet parents already know: pets improve our mental health. “They lower stress, reduce loneliness, and bring comfort without judgment. But the relationship works both ways.
Pets are sensitive to our moods, our tension, our absence. Caring for their wellness through movement, nutrition, grooming, and affection is also a form of self-care. It grounds us.
It reminds us to slow down. It gives structure to days that might otherwise blur together.” However, time can often work against us, and perhaps instead of adding another task to an already long list, what if your well-beingandyour pet’s well-being could be planned simultaneously, and were part of the same routine? Pets thrive on routine, movement, and connection.
And guess what, so do we. When we align our wellness goals with theirs, our guilt will start to soften into gratitude. Your pet doesn’t need grand gestures.
They don’t need hours of stimulation or constant attention. What they crave is consistency and presence. These are the moments when your phone is down, your mind is quieter, and they have your total attention.
“These moments build trust and strengthen a bond that’s already doing so much emotional heavy lifting in your life,” explains Ackhurst. In 2026, wellness for you and your pet doesn’t have to be aspirational. It can be compassionate.
Remember, at the end of the day, your pet isn’t counting the hours you’re gone. They’re counting the moments you choose them when you’re home. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.
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