You and your pet

You & Your Pet

DON’T STAY INSIDE – GET UP AND GET OUT!

As we bid farewell to December and bring in a brand New Year, it’s time to dust off those boots and head for the outdoors. Get some well-needed fresh air in our lungs, stretch those legs and enjoy the wonderful scents of the wintry season.

I’m sure our pets are dying to hear the rattle of the key on the front door, excited to get those muscles moving.

January is a great time to get back into fitness for both

ourselves and our four-legged friends. Apparently having a workout buddy makes the process easier and more enjoyable so grab your dog and head on out.

Some of us may have gained new family members over the last few months, that, due to the dark nights and stormy weather, perhaps have not seen as much of the outdoors as you may have hoped and therefore will be overjoyed as the evenings become lighter.

Don’t let the cold temperatures stop you and your pet from maintaining your health and fitness this new year. Routine

is key for your dog, being outside will keep them happy, energised and avoid weight gain which can lead to a build-up of pressure on their poor little limbs.

There are several ways to ease yourself back into fitness and at a pace that suits both you and your pet.

Walking is a wonderful way to start, if your muscles are taking a little longer than your dogs then you can always use an extendable lead giving your pet space to run and jump without putting the pressure on you.

Going to an open dog-friendly space is always great because you can throw a ball or set up cones and have a bit of fun whilst exercising. great way to get your dog’s body and mind working, this can be done indoors or in a safe space like your garden. If you have a young dog it could be a fun way to introduce them to the outside and it can also be great for the older dogs, older dogs enjoy games, therefore, looking for a treat shouldn’t put too much pressure on their limbs.

If none of the above suits you, then we have a wonderful Dog Park in petplace Abergele. It is set up so dogs can get their daily dose of exercise whilst interacting with other dogs. If the weather is bad it’s the perfect place to tire out your energetic pooch.

Keep in mind that the temperatures drop in January and the nights are still dark, make sure that you and your furry friend are wrapped up and can be seen when out and about. Investing in a hi-vis dog coat and/or a safety light, such as an Orbiloc one would make sure that you and your pet can be seen while out.

With all exercise it is really important to be prepared, we have a more in-depth article on our website to support you and your dog on your health and fitness journey. Do remember you can

pop into our stores or speak to us on our social channels about the types of harnesses and outdoor accessories we stock, we are here for you and your best friend. n

Ashlee is the Social Media and Marketing Assistant at petplace. Animal obsessed, she has a fondness for all living things and the environment using her creativity to build awareness. If you follow petplace on social media you will no doubt have interacted with Ashlee, she loves engaging with their customers and, most importantly, seeing all your wonderful pets.