CANCEL THOSE HIBERNATION PLANS. WINTER JUST GOT FUN.

The days are short, the weather is awful, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to crawl under the covers and wait for spring. Take on the chilly months with these activities that will keep your pet in good spirits, not to mention looking and feeling good.

THE COLD WEATHER GUIDE

GAME ON

On boring winter days, it’s hard to get too excited about tossing around a ball. That’s when you break out the cool interactive toys. Many have different difficulties built in so your pet can level up from one challenge to another.

BRAVE THE OUTDOORS

Yes, it’s cold. But you and your pet both need fresh air and sunlight, so just remember to gear up. Dogs with short hair or short legs especially need a warm sweater or jacket and every canine needs paw wax or boots to protect them from cold, salty sidewalks. Since it gets dark so early, stay visible with a reflective harness, light-up collar attachment or even a neat glow-in-the-dark toy.

PLAY WITH THEIR FOOD

Pets, like humans, go looking for snacks when they’re bored. But you can actually use this food focus to entertain them. Adding kibble to a treat-dispensing toy turns mealtime into playtime, plus it stops them from gobbling their food in one gulp. You can even give them a tasty treat to savor by freezing food in a Kong — this works for raw, rehydrated or freeze-dried meals or kibble with bone broth/goat milk added. Just be sure to feed it to them on a hard, easy-to-clean surface.

KEEP THEM IN SHAPE

Extra winter weight can really slow your pet down. Keep belly fat in check with a Weight Loss Bowl. It’s the perfect recipe for preventing pounds from piling on — lean proteins for building muscle, low calorie bone broth for extra nutrients, fiber-rich pumpkin to fill them up, and hip and joint supplements for extra support.

SOOTHE THAT ITCHINESS

Hear that scratching? It’s the sound of your pet hating winter. Cold weather dries out their skin and coat, leaving them super itchy. Try skin and coat supplements to nourish and comfort, not to mention reduce pet dander. 

BUT SOMETIMES, IT’S JUST TOO COLD

There’s nothing fun about going to the bathroom in a blizzard or endless rain. On super unpleasant weather days, accidents can happen. Be prepared with a supply of pee pads for indoor use as well as pet-safe stain and odor removers.