As those cold and snowy days keep rolling in, we are not motivated to be as active.  It is much easier to cuddle with your puppy and a hot cup of cocoa than it is to bundle up and take a lap around the neighborhood.

Let’s be honest, this probably won’t change and that is just fine!  This means the same for your pet also.  If you are moving less, so is your pet. 

With that in mind, it might be time to re-look at the quantity of food you are giving your pet each day.  Just like humans, more calories means added pounds.  For pets who have a hard time putting on weight, this is a great opportunity to allow them to gain a thin layer of insulating fat.  For pets that tend to be a little heavier, it might be time to cut back the food a little bit.  Below are some pointers on how to help keep your pet at a healthy weight this winter:

1. Feed them a little bit less.  For Daisy (a 50lb lab mix), I cut her food back from 6 cups of stew a day to 4 ½ cups.  This really helps her keep her weight at bay but also allows her to keep a small layer of insulation while playing in the snow!
2. Watch the treats.  I love to give Daisy treats!  It is a great way to ‘celebrate’ my return from a long day at work.  It is also a great tool to show her that I notice her good behavior.  In the winter, we switch to smaller treats.  The frequency of treat giving doesn’t change, but the amount does!
3. Make time for indoor play time.  Just because the weather doesn’t permit you to play outside, doesn’t mean the play has to stop all together!  Make time to have one-on-one play time with your pet each day.  This is not only fun for you and your pet, it is an important bonding time that should not be compromised by weather.  Take time, be silly and enjoy being a pet owner!
4. Fare the weather once a week.  Daisy and I take one day, usually Sunday afternoons and head to a frozen lake for a couple hours.  I put ‘Musher’s Secret’ salve on her feet, put a pair of snow pants on and un-hook the leash.  It is a great time for us both to ‘roam free’ and really enjoy the beauty that winter brings!  Just be careful of temperatures below 0 degrees F.  If your pet is primarily an indoor pet, they may not be able to handle the cold weather for more than a couple hours.

Ok, all you pet owners living in those colder climates… Enjoy the holidays and take care of that PUP of yours!

-Shannon and Daisy