With Winter right around the corner, you may be getting yourself ready for the upcoming cold season.
You’ve pulled out your best winter recipes (that even your doggo can enjoy), bought a new puffer jacket, and made a plan to put your gym membership to use – no excuses for the bad weather!
In saying that, what adjustments can you make to your pet’s routine, to make sure they’re staying happy and healthy despite the drop in temperature?
Just like us, pets may go through a period of low energy and mood when the cold creeps in. With colder temperatures outside, they may not be able to get as much fresh air and exercise as they did in Summer, which can make the long Winter months pretty dreary and boring.
Luckily, there are some easy ways to counter the winter slump so that your pet can be happy all season. Here are some simple ways that you can make sure your pet stays active and healthy.
Tip #1: Take their exercise indoors
For Pet Owners, it’s not easy to muster up the energy to play with our pets at the end of a long day. Especially in winter, when it gets dark earlier, all we want to do is cuddle up with our pet and hibernate.
But, think about it from your pet’s perspective. They’ve been resting all day long, saving up their energy for when you come home. They want your attention, of course….but they also want to play!
This doesn’t mean that you have to go back out into the dark winter night for a long walk. There are plenty of indoor activities that you can do with your pet so that they can shake off that extra built-up energy.
Some ideas to try out:
Try 5-10 minutes of training each day. Teach your dog or cat a new trick like ‘spin’, ‘shake’, or ‘high five’. Use treats or toys as rewards.
Use puzzle feeders or food-dispensing toys. These keep their minds active while slowing down mealtime.
Play active games inside. Tug-of-war, hide and seek, or fetch down a hallway are great for dogs. For cats, try a feather wand, laser pointer, or crumpled paper balls to mimic hunting instincts.
Create a mini obstacle course. Use couch cushions, low stools, or tunnels to encourage climbing, weaving, and jumping.
💡 Top tip: Keep sessions short but frequent. 10 minutes here and there throughout the day is better than one long play session.
If you need more info, check out this article on how to exercise your dog indoors.
Tip #2: Winter diet adjustment
Some Pet Owners like the look of the winter weight gain in their pets, but it’s actually quite unhealthy to allow your pets to put on those extra kilos. With less exercise overall, you’ll want to reduce their daily calories – not drastically, just enough to keep them nice and healthy.
How to do it:
Start with a 10% reduction. For example, if your dog usually eats 2 cups of kibble per day, reduce it to 1¾ cups.
Track their body condition score (BCS). You should be able to feel their ribs (but not see them) and notice a defined waistline.
Switch to a lower-calorie or ‘light’ version of their usual food if they’re less active.
Don’t overdo treats. Stick to small, healthy options and subtract treat calories from their main meal allowance.
💡 Top tip: Always consult your vet before making major dietary changes, especially for pets with medical conditions.
Tip #3: Pet playdates
For dogs, having interaction with other pups is helpful for keeping the winter blues at bay. When it’s too cold to make it to the dog park, you might invite over your dog’s best mates so that they have some canine company.
For solitary pets like cats, you don’t want to introduce other animals in the house, but you can still make sure to give them plenty of love and attention in winter.
How to do it:
Organise indoor doggy playdates. Invite a friend or neighbour’s dog over for a short supervised session. Make sure both dogs are friendly and vaccinated.
Book a session at doggy daycare: A Mad Paws Pet Sitter in your area can give them personalised 1-on-1 care during the day – think lots of playtime, cuddles & care – giving them lots of attention and stimulation.
For cats: They may not want a house guest, but interactive play with you is just as important. Try 10-minute sessions a couple of times a day with teaser toys or tunnels.
💡 Top tip: Breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Siamese cats, and Ragdolls often crave more social interaction than others.
Tip #4: Braving the outdoors
No matter how cold it is outside, daily fresh air is a must. Bundle up (yourself and your pet) and brave the cold. Instead of standing in one spot shivering while you wait for the potty break to be over, it can be helpful to engage in some short vigorous exercise like power-walking around the block.
How to do it:
Rug up. Use a waterproof dog coat for short-haired or senior dogs. Protect paws with booties or paw balm if walking on frosty or salted paths.
Keep walks short and active. Try 15–20 minutes of brisk walking to keep warm.
Choose warmer times of day. If you can, aim for mid-morning or early afternoon when the sun is out.
If the weather outside is too cold for you, or you don’t have the time to take them out each day, book them a Dog Walker!
💡 Top tip: If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for them—especially smaller or short-haired breeds.
Tip #5: Get cosy bedding
Winter is a great time to introduce some cosy new bedding for your pet. After all, Winter is the best time for snuggling. And they’ll likely be more inclined to curl up and nap, so it’s the perfect time to make sure they have a warm, safe space to rest.
How to do it:
Choose a raised or padded bed to keep them off cold floors.
Add extra blankets for added warmth. Get good quality dog blankets and bed covers from Aussie online store, SASH.
For cats, set up beds near warm spots like sunny windows or safely away from drafts.
💡 Top tip: Keep their bed away from heaters or open flames. And, find a dog bed that has interchangeable covers, so you can always keep them fresh and clean (hallelujah!).
Tip #6: Keeping them safe
Keeping your pet exercised, stimulated, and properly fed is just part of the equation when it comes to winter wellbeing. You’ll also want to take extra precautions to make sure that your pet is safe and sound during these colder months, by investing in reflective night gear and keeping them away from unsafe burrows and hiding spaces.
How to do it:
Use reflective collars, leads, or jackets for early morning or evening walks.
Wipe their paws after walks to remove salt, ice and mud.
Don’t leave pets outside unattended, even for short periods.
Block off crawl spaces or sheds where pets could get stuck trying to stay warm.
Learn more about the multitude of ways to keep your pet safe this Winter.
You’re ready to brave the winter!
With these easy steps, you and your pet will be well-equipped for winter. And the easiest step of all? Make plenty of time for cold-weather cuddles! Your pet will love the extra snuggles!
Need help during the workday?
Book them in for Pet Day Care! From Perth to Brisbane, from Newcastle to Geelong, Mad Paws Pet Day Care will be just what they need.
Updated content from original blog posted in 2019.
1 comment
Hi
Can we have some information on how to stop your dog wanting to meet and greet everyone on her walks and then wants to jump up on them to be patted. We walk when not many people are around but she still wants to be patted if we see someone. My dog is a 12 month old Border Collie. She is mostly obedient but sometimes if she is off her lead she will totally ignore all commands to come back to you even with treats. Only way I can get her back to the house is to get the car out and she will happily jump in. Other times I can call her and she will come back straight away