Keeping your dog in shape during winter: things to consider

By Charlotte Francesca Stiles, DVM

When it’s cold, snowy, or rainy outside, both you and your dog would probably rather cuddle together inside than face the weather.

However, no matter the time of year, it’s important for your pet to have enough exercise to help them stay as healthy and happy as possible. In the winter, this might mean making a few changes to their routine, which we’ll explain in this article.

Don’t worry, the summer will be back again before you know it!

Why it’s essential to keep a dog in shape during the winter

Getting regular exercise all year round is just as important for our four-legged friends as it is for us! When combined with an appropriate diet, vaccinations, and parasite treatment, it helps our pets live as happily and as healthily as possible.

Keeping a dog in shape over the winter helps decrease the chances of them becoming overweight and suffering from a range of serious health conditions such as:

Not only are the above conditions extremely painful for your pet, but they can also mean that pet parents have to spend lots of money on veterinary consultations, treatment, and medication.

Preventing the above conditions by making sure that your dog has an appropriate weight is far better than trying to manage them when it’s already too late.

Veterinarians recommend that you take your pet to your veterinarian once a year for a general check-up. During this appointment, your veterinarian will check your pet’s heart, lungs, and general condition. They will also be able to advise you on your pet’s weight and the condition of their teeth.

Aside from physical health, exercise is also very important for your dog’s mental health. Dogs who don’t get enough exercise can become frustrated, unhappy, and even display destructive behaviors.

Let’s now take a look at how we can help keep our dogs in shape during the winter.

Exercising dogs in winter inside

If the climate outside means that it’s complicated or not possible for you to exercise your dog outside every day during the winter, don’t worry!

There are a range of ways you can help your pet get the exercise they need without having to brave the cold or rain and we’ve given some examples below:

It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do the above activities as regularly as every day, but we hope that the above ideas are helpful for you to incorporate into your pet’s routine during the winter months when keeping things interesting and comfortable can be a little more complicated.

Our Lifetime Protection Membership includes a $30 Rover discount, to get you on your way with pet walking services if you’re struggling to find the time to walk or exercise your dog.

Exercising dogs in winter outside

It’s probably unlikely that you’ll be able to rely on indoor activities to help your pet get the exercise they need so in this section, we’ll go through the ways you can safely and comfortably help keep your pet in shape outside during the winter.

It’s good to be aware that there are some conditions your dog could be more likely to suffer from during the winter such as frostbite, antifreeze ingestion, and hypothermia (source). If you suspect that your dog is suffering from one of these conditions it’s important to take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Our Lifetime Protection Membership includes 24/7 access to veterinarians by phone, email, or live chat. So, if you’re worried about your dog’s behavior or health, you can quickly get the help you need.

When you’re braving the cold, rain, or snow, there are a few things you might want to consider to help your pet stay comfortable and safe which we’ll go through in this section.

Dog coat

You might want to think about getting your pet a coat to wear if you’re taking them out when it’s particularly cold or rainy. This is especially important when it comes to dogs who get cold easily such as puppies and more senior dogs.

Some dog breeds are known to be particularly sensitive to the cold due to them having short fur, or close contact with the ground when walking.

Dog boots

If you walk your dog in the snow or salt grit, you might want to think about getting them some special boots to help protect their paws. Over time, salt, grit, and deicers can be harmful to your dog's paw pads.

Special dog boots can take time for your pet to get used to, so don’t forget to start training them to wear them before the snowy season starts! It’s also very important to make sure you get them the appropriate size.

If your pet doesn’t tolerate boots, you can also try applying a special protective wax or DIY paw protector to their paws before taking them outside in winter.

Post-walk skincare

If you take your dog out in an environment where grit or salt has been spread but they don’t tolerate boots, it’s good to think about rinsing your dog’s paws with warm water when you get home. This will help to remove residues of salt, grit, and de-icers which can feel uncomfortable for your pet.

Light and reflective gear

During the winter months when it gets dark earlier, our four-legged friends can be particularly hard to spot (especially if their fur is black).

Investing in a jacket which is reflective or has lights is one way to help make sure your pet can always be seen by drivers.

It’s also a good idea to have a physical pet tag with your pet’s unique microchip number and your contact details, such as our Lifetime Warranty ID tags.

Conclusion

For many of us, winter isn’t our favorite time of year, however, there are fun ways to help keep your pet in shape even when it’s cold, rainy, or snowy outside, which we hope you’ve enjoyed reading about in this article.