Winter Tips For Exercising With Pets
The time of the year is fast approaching where colder weather conditions and snow can make exercising with your pet extremely difficult. Without regular walks and exercise the chance of weight gain, behavioural problems and boredom increase; often resulting in your pet adopting destructive behaviors and a low mood. Exercise is a crucial part of your pet’s regime come rain, hail or shine; so follow these tips to ensure your pet remains happy and gets the winter exercise it needs.
#1 Fighting the dark? Get flashing!
Pets can be difficult to see during winter’s darker days so if you are exercising outdoors with your pet invest in an LED flashing light. Easily clipping onto the D-ring of your dogs collar, the battery powered LED’s emit a bright, ambient glow, so you’ll be able to see your pet on the darkest of nights; and so will everyone else.
#2 Dog Coats are the Go
When exposed to excess cold some dogs can get chills, respiratory problems and experience arthritis. If you decide to exercise outside with your pet during the colder winter months fit them out in the new WeatherBeeta Arctic Dog Coat. The WeatherBeeta Arctic Dog Coat offers warmth, comfort and protection against the elements, has reflective piping and strips for nightime safety, and looks stylish to boot!
#3 Fetch Fido
When it's blowing a gale and outdoor fun is not an option, try indoor fun instead. Play games like fetch, using Cuz Toys; or tug-a-war with the Play N Learn Tug-A-Ring. Chase your pet around the house, steal the toy and then let them chase you. It’s a great way to burn off some calories and alleviate boredom. Vary the games you play and regularly rotate toys to keep your pet interested.
#4 Encourage scavenging
Dogs spend many of their waking hours hunting for food so why don’t you use this to your advantage and get your dog hunting for its meals! Try stuffing a toy, like a KONG Stuff A Ball or a KONG Dental Stick, with some frozen food and then entice your pet into chasing the ball as you toss smaller pieces of the frozen food around the room.
#5 Indoor Play
Giving your dog the proper dose of exercise in the winter months can be difficult. And some dogs just don’t like venturing outside in the cold and snow, particularly smaller breeds who often have shorter, thinner coats. So why not visit an indoor dog park! Often held at doggy day care centers, they’re a great way of letting your dog continue to play and socialize with other dogs and get some exercise in too.