Winter Health Tips for Dog Owners
No sooner than the smell of pumpkin-spiced everything begins to waft through the air, it seems the frigid bite of winter sends temperatures plummeting. While these chillier temps make everyone – even our furry friends – want to hunker down and indulge in all the flavors of the season, personalized dog food brand Just Right by Purina is encouraging dog owners to help their pets stay active to avoid weight gain this winter.
From maintaining physical activity to staying on track with nutritional needs, there are many reasons for owners to pay close attention to their dog’s overall health during the winter months. And with these helpful tips, you’ll be able to provide your pup plenty of the extra attention he needs.
Get a Pre-Winter Health Report
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and it should be no different for our pets. Taking your dog to the vet before winter gets into full swing is a great way to get ahead of any problems that could flare during the season. This is also an ideal time to work with your vet on setting winter weight and health care goals as well as getting recommendations for how to reach them.
Winterize Your Dog’s Workout
Healthy levels of activity are essential for your dog’s physical and mental well-being. And even in the face of deep snow drifts or bone-chilling temps, you and your pup can still stay active.
When the winter classics such as sledding and snowman-building fail you, look no further than your own living room. Get a game of indoor fetch going with your dog, or race him around the house and up the stairs to get the both of you moving.
Resist the Urge
Chilly days are perfect for staying inside and indulging in our favorite treats. But just like humans, dogs can easily pack on the pounds during winter. So ensure you continue following their feeding instructions closely and always avoid giving them table scraps, no matter how convincing their puppy eyes may be. Furthermore, ensure all your wintertime houseguests avoid giving in to those puppy eyes and donating table scraps, too. Doing this will not only save him from surplus calories that quickly add up, but his table manners will improve dramatically as well.
Adjust Your Dog’s Diet
Unless your dog typically maintains his activity level during the winter, he may not need as many calories as he does in the warmer months. Creating a personalized dog food blend from Just Right by Purina to match his current weight, winter activity level, skin condition and more will ensure he starts winter off on the right paw.
“An owner’s love for his dog never changes, but winter’s arrival does call for a bit of adjustment in how to best approach keeping our pets healthy,” said Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, DVM and Purina PetCare Veterinarian. “This is the time of year when people begin to look forward to celebrating with friends and family, and we hope that dog owners can use these tips as a guide to ensure their furriest family members thrive in the upcoming winter season.”
