01/09/2024
Pet Exercise and Enrichment During Winter
If you are only taking your dog outside for quick potty breaks and rushing back inside, they probably are not getting enough exercise. Even your indoor cat could experience boredom if you spend winter evenings camped out in front of the television rather than engaging them in play.
As veterinarians, we’ve seen far too many pets suffering from health and behavioral issues due to inadequate physical activity. In fact, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) notes that pet obesity is an epidemic. That’s why we decided to share a few fun ways to keep your pets active during the winter. Keep reading to find out more!
1. Going for a long walk outside might not seem like an appealing idea during the winter, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your canine companion. Pay close attention to the actual temperature and the wind chill, and prepare yourself and your pet accordingly. Sweaters, coats, and boots help protect dogs from snow, ice, and cold and make it possible to spend more time outdoors. And, of course, there is plenty of cold-weather gear to help you stay nice and warm while enjoying a wintertime trek with your pet. You also benefit from the walk as well!
2. Doggy Day Care: Daycare is an ideal place for your four-legged best friend to gain confidence and learn to interact with other dogs and people, too.
3. Playing With Food: Instead of just feeding your pet treats and offering their meals in a bowl, make them work for it! Puzzle toys and feeders make dogs and cats work to earn their reward. For cats, you can even hide food and treats in several locations throughout your home to encourage them to “hunt.”
4. Turn A room Into an Exercise Course: indoor agility is a fun way to provide your pet with physical and mental stimulation. And since you can use several things in your home to create obstacles, you don’t even need to buy any fancy equipment.
• Cardboard boxes
• Laundry baskets
• Towels
• Pillows
• Broom/Mop handles
Arrange the boxes and teach your dog to weave around them. Train them to jump over broom or mop handles like hurdles. Make them jump into a laundry basket. Open both ends of a large cardboard box to transform it into a tunnel for your dog to run through. With a bit of creativity, you can
5. Play Hunting Games With Your Cat: During the winter, your cat might not “hunt” for much other than their food bowl. Laying around all day isn’t good for their health, though, so it’s crucial to get them up and moving. One of the best ways to do this is with toys that mimic the sounds and movement of prey animals, like birds and mice. When it comes to bringing out your feline friend’s inner hunter, you can’t go wrong with teasers. These toys feature feathers or other toys attached to a flexible rod. When you wave the rod, the attached feathers flutter and move like a real bird. Very few cats can resist their appeal.
6. Teach Your Dog Or Cat A New Trick: Is beneficial for both these pets and humans. It strengthens the human-animal bond, makes living with pets more enjoyable, and helps your canine companion or feline friend (Yes, you can teach your cat tricks!) build confidence. Teaching them new tricks provides mental and physical stimulation, too.
