9 Simple Tips To Stay Healthy And Fit With Your Pet This Winter

A cute pug covered in a blanket - feature image

We are fast approaching winter, an excruciatingly cold season. This period is not just cold for us but our pets also. Hence, it is our responsibility to think about the comfort and safety of our pets during the cold months. 

And…

As the outdoor temperature drops, it is crucial to remain active to maintain optimal health and body condition. 

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help you and your pet stay healthy in the cold months. 

So here are nine simple tips to stay healthy and fit with your pet this winter. 

1. Stay Indoors with Your Pet

All pets feel cold, whether cats, dogs, rabbits, or birds. One of the best ways to prevent them from catching a cold is to protect them from being exposed to the chill.

James from Pet Knob recommends that “If you have a dog or cat house outside your home, this is the best time to bring it in or if you don’t have, consider investing in an indoor cat or dog house. You want to make sure your pets are always indoors with you in the cold months.”

Some people have stray cats and dogs around their homes that tend to find shelter under the cars when it is cold. If you have stray pets around your home, take them in, and give shelter to them. It is also recommended that you check under your car before starting it. 

2. Maintain Proper Diet

Winter is the period where you need to pay close attention to your pet’s diet. While keeping your pet indoors, you want to make sure that they get the proper diet and nutrients that they need. You need to feed your pet with protein-rich foods. 

Friendly Claws suggests that pet diets should also contain lots of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as these would help keep their skin and coat healthy. Keeping their skin and coat healthy helps them fight cold.

3. Check The Paws Frequently

Make sure to check your pet’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather damage or injury like bleeding or cracked paw pads. Whenever you come back from a walk with your pet, you need to wash and dry their feet to get rid of salt, ice, and chemicals. 

You can also use paw protectants on the paw pads of your pet to protect them from harmful elements. Try if your pets would get the hang of wearing booties, as they would provide more coverage and prevent the lodging of salt and sand between bare toes, which can lead to irritation. 

4. Keep Your Pet And Your Family Safe

Chances are your pet will spend most of the time inside with your family during the cold, so you want to make sure your house is pet-proofed. Be careful while using space heaters around your pets, as they can be knocked over, possibly causing accidents. 

Check your furnace before the cold starts to make sure it is in good working condition. Installing carbon monoxide detectors would also be great, as it would help keep your whole family safe from harm. 

5. Stimulate Mealtime

You can help stimulate your pet’s body and mind without venturing into the cold outdoors. One of the best ways to do this is to make your pet’s mealtime stimulating. You can serve your pet with a feeding toy instead of putting their food in a bowl. 

This method is ideal for dog and cat owners. According to studies, dogs enjoy their meals more when it excites them. This process will also slow down their chow time which helps prevent gastrointestinal conditions. This is also fun to watch, and it will develop a stronger bond between you and your pet. 

6. Teach New Tricks

Another excellent way for you and your pet to stay healthy and fit in the cold months is to practice new tricks. If you have a dog, there are a lot of tricks and training lessons you can do in your home. 

You can start with a basic dog trick such as “stay or “shake,” and then advance to more tricks such as “rollover.” You can take advantage of the cold winter months to teach your dog good behavior, and this also helps your pet keep fit and healthy. 

7. Arrange For A Cozy And Warm Bedding

To ensure your pet is healthy during winter, you should make sure they never sleep on the cold floor. Do not allow your pet to sleep on the cold floor, as this can be harmful to their health. Also, you can get a very comfortable bed that would keep your dog or cat warm during the winter. Some pet beds also have special features to keep your pet warm during this cold season. 

8. Proper Eating Habits

All through the winter, you need to make sure your pet keeps a healthy weight. There is a misconception that being heavyweight gives pets additional protection from cold, but that is not true. There are different health issues associated with extra weight, and you do not want your pet to suffer from any of them. As such, you should watch the eating habits of your pets and keep them in a healthy weight range. 

9. Frequent Change Of Their Drinking Water

Like humans, even pets feel less thirsty in winter. Pets drink less in the cold weather because the water in their bowl turns ice-cold quickly, and they do not feel like drinking it. To encourage adequate hydration, which helps during this period, you should change their drinking water every two to three hours. 

Conclusion

Keeping fit and healthy is very important for both you and your pets. We have outlined these few simple tips for you and your pet to stay healthy and fit in the cold months. Have fun while keeping fit!

Last Updated on January 9, 2024

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