HEALTHY AND HAPPY PETS OVER THE WINTER

Dropping Weather Temperatures Bring Challenges

Dropping temperatures can bring challenges for pets and their owners. From treating pain brought on by the cold to easing anxiety when you leave for work or when company arrives, here are some tips courtesy of Pet Parents Place on how to get your pet healthier for winter.

Keep Up Your Regular Routine

Just like humans, furry friends can have a tough time with change. The same way that people can feel a bit run down during the winter months, so can their pups. In fact, pets can be susceptible to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and similar conditions when the seasons turn.

With this in mind, do your best to maintain a regular routine, particularly if your dog suffers from anxiety disorder. Eating breakfast and dinner at the same times every day, taking walks at the same time and spending time together at the same time; these activities help your pet feel safer.

If you anticipate long days away from home for work, consider hiring a pet sitter to step in while you’re not home. This ensures your dog has some stimulation and interaction. Alternatively, you could always find a new place to live that’s closer to work. Doing so would enable you to come home during your lunch breaks. Should you decide to look for a new place, in addition to searching for pet-friendly rentals, be sure to also filter for amenities like a dog park on the premises or proximity to one.

Choose Gentle Treatments as Necessary

Older dogs, especially, tend to struggle in the cooler months. Conditions like inflammation and arthritis pain can affect your pooch’s enjoyment of winter. Fortunately, you can choose gentle treatments to help ease their pain.

CBD products that are all-natural and include no gluten or dairy are ideal for dogs. As Forbes explains, studies confirm that the use of CBD oil in dogs shows promise for relieving pain and stiffness. Considering your dog’s size, the method of delivery, solution strength, overall costs, and reviews, shop for CBD products for dogs carefully. Also be sure to discuss with your vet potential treatment options – including medication contraindications – before starting a regimen.

Adjust Your Pet’s Winter Diet

Though your dog may spend more time cozied up indoors during winter, protecting their health extends to their daily habits, too. Just like people, pets may overeat when faced with colder weather and a lack of physical activity. So, pet parents might need to feed their pooches less over the colder months – unless their dog is more active than usual.

Getting active can be challenging, too – but you can encourage your dog to keep moving, even indoors. Playing fetch with soft toys and eating from puzzle dishes can help your pup maintain a healthy weight throughout every season.

Pick Up the Right Supplies

While not every dog will need a winter coat and boots, some pups benefit from the extra warmth. For smaller breeds – and those with thinner fur – investing in special winter equipment can help make spending time outdoors more bearable. Consider pet care products like warm sweaters for keeping cozy and dog-safe salt for melting ice in your yard. Some dogs are even willing to wear snow booties, which can be especially effective when there’s a lot of snow.

With the right equipment – that doesn’t break the bank – you and your dog can head outside more often, even if the temperature drops.

Though many pet parents stress over seasonal changes in their pups, there are steps you can take to ease the transition. Addressing any existing conditions is essential, of course. But taking the time to evaluate your pet’s diet, activity level, and disposition can help alert you to challenges and find solutions for a healthy dog year-round.

Photo via unsplash

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