Putting Pooches First in the New Year.

Roughly 44% of U.S. dog owners are making a New Year's resolution related to improving their pet's health, according to a survey by Wild Earth, which produces high-protein plant-based dog food. The top five states doing so are Massachusetts, Nebraska, Washington, Minnesota, and New Mexico.

'That's not too surprising when you consider that recent research indicates those same states also have some of the highest rates of pet obesity in America," says Ernie Ward, chief veterinary officer of Wild Earth and founder of the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention.

The survey also revealed:

* Some 41% of U.S. pet parents say their top New Year's resolution is to take their dogs for more walks. The...