You & Your Pet

GET ACTIVE WITH YOUR PETS

We give a lot of our time and energy into the build-up of Christmas and still manage to make time for our pets, but as soon as January comes around it is very easy to slip into bad habits.

The cold weather and continued dark nights don’t help. The thought of going for an evening walk can seem less appealing when it’s like this, however, as pet parents we don’t have the option to stay indoors because our pets’ health and wellbeing should be a priority.

Daily exercise is important for many reasons, not just for our pets but for us humans too. We all need to be taking part in some form of exercise. Our pets have copious amounts of energy and if they have nowhere to burn through this energy they may become destructive as their behaviour can take a turn for the worse, especially when they are suffering from boredom, picking up bad habits along the way.

When exercising in the winter, there are many factors to consider in order to keep both you and your pet safe. Shorter days lead to longer nights with evenings becoming darker a lot earlier, unfortunately, this can have its disadvantages. We have created a list of accessories and activities which will enable you to keep your pets active and safe throughout the winter.

What can I do to help keep my pet safe in winter?

Reflective wear is a must, this will help make you visible to

walkers, horse riders, pets out walking and other road users. Coats, leads, collars, neon clothing and hi-vis jackets are just some items to help keep you safe. Torches and clip-on lights are other accessories that are great at making you visible to others.

Rainfall increases during the winter months and waterproof rugs, jackets and drying towels are perfect for keeping your pet nice and dry.

Avoid walking on frozen and icy surfaces, this will prevent any damage to their paw pads which can be extremely painful. Dog-friendly booties are great for protecting your dog’s paws from chemicals and salt which are often spread on paths and roads during this period.

How can I keep my pet active in winter?

Create an indoor or outdoor obstacle course, this will be great entertainment and keep dogs active. If space is an issue then we have a solution, head to the dog park in Abergele. The perfect spot for a rainy day. A soft play area for your dog to enjoy with other dogs. This will be great exercise whilst giving them the opportunity to socialise.

Snuffle mats are a great way to distract your dog, providing

them with mental stimulation. Alternatively, create a scavenger hunt which again will keep them occupied and prevent them from becoming bored and agitated.

Treat dispensing toys are a popular form of entertainment for dogs, especially as they are rewarded at the end. Place them in different areas encouraging your pet to move around and stretch their legs.

Laser pointers, while these are more common with cats, dogs will also chase the laser. This is a great way to keep them moving without having to step outdoors.

Exercise of some form will prevent weight gain which could cause complications with your pet’s health. Exercise is not only great physically, but it will also provide mental stimulation which should help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. 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.