Winter Activities with Your Pet!

It is starting to get a little chilly out there, so we need to get creative to entertain our pets! (Image Source)

Well the weather is starting to shift into a colder time of year for us here! Although the temperatures are dropping, our pets need for exercise do not change. We just may have to get a little creative about how they get their daily activity!

Running or walking outside may not be a good option for year round exercise, so we may have to look into options inside! (Image Source)

As a general rule of thumb our pets need about a minute of exercise per pound per day. This can vary in some animals, my dog for instances needs a little more than that each day. These activities can be spread throughout the day so they do not have to happen all at once.

This dog is all ready for the colder weather! He could continue to exercise outside for quite some time! (Image Source)

For dogs walking outside is a great exercise! However if it is too cold, icy or dark (or all of the above), we may have to think of alternatives. While in the summer, we used to walk after dark when it was cooler, in the winter, we try to walk more at noon, when it will be the most warm and the safest. If you do have to walk early in the morning or late at night make sure you and your dog are taking every safety precaution and are in a well lit area with lights on yourself.  Also remember to watch for ice as this can be harmful if you fall, but can also cause some damage to your pet's pads. You may need to consider purchasing boots for their feet or covering their pads with some petroleum jelly to protect them.

There are many options to help keep you and your pet visible during dark walks, these can include lighted leashes and collars, flash lights, blinking lights. Whatever it takes to keep you and your furry friend safe. (Image Source)

If the outside is just not going to be a viable option, there are some activities to play inside with your dog, and many of these can be adapted to your cat as well! One of our favorite games is hide and seek. We make our dog sit in one room, then we go hide and give him his release word. He has to search every room until he finds us. Then we have a couple rounds of chase in the hall way, then start over. He loves it and we are both getting a little exercise! A variation of this would be to hide a portion of their kibble or yummy treats throughout the house and have them find it! If you do have a food motivated pet, they may like food puzzle type toys. This will give them both mental and sometimes physical exercise!

You can use hallways to your advantage to get a little indoor exercise. (Image Source)

If you have a straight hallway or larger area you could also take a portion of their meals and roll or toss the kibble down the hall way so they have to run and get the kibble. Then call them back to you and start again.

Winter may be a good time to take advantage of doggy daycares or training facilities in your area. (Image Source)

Another option may be to look into training facilities to see what winter classes or open gym times may be available. This offers a lot of exercise but sheltered from the elements. If your dog is used to the dog park, they may do well in a doggy daycare situation one day a week. Or arrange a playdate with some other pets. This may work best in a home that has an unfinished basement or a large area with few breakables!

Food puzzles aren't just for dogs! Cats can find a lot of entertainment with them as well! (Image source)

I will sometimes take my dog into a store that allows pets just to get some exercise. We are very blessed to have several options in our town. We can walk up and down the aisles and stretch our legs without worrying about the weather outside.

Cat trees do not have to be elaborate, they can be home made and still offer exercise for your cat! They love the different levels as an option. A quick google search can show you a variety of different plans/ options to build your own! (Image Source)

These are just a few suggestions, there are many options and lots of them don't have to cost anything. This website gives some ideas for exercising your dog indoors.
This website has GREAT ideas for homemade food puzzles for cats!!

Let us know if you have any recommendations for indoor activities with pets!