Winter in Ontario can be a magical time, with piles of snow everywhere and crisp, cold temperatures that make being inside cozy. Maybe a little too cozy. For a lot of pet parents, it’s often harder to get motivated to take your pets outside for daily exercise.
Yet staying active is crucial for your dog’s mental and physical well-being, even when it’s cold, icy, and snowy out.
As Ontario vet care experts, our team at Glenridge Animal Hospital has tips to help you keep your furry friend fit and happy this winter.
Tips for Winter Pet Exercise in Ontario
1. Embrace Safe, Outdoor Adventures
As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather—only bad outdoor gear. Barring natural disasters, this is fairly accurate. Many Ontario dogs love exercising by playing in the snow, especially breeds built for colder climates, like German Shepherds or Huskies.
But any dog can enjoy short bursts of activity outside—even if they don’t have thick winter coats. You can use dog-specific jackets to help them retain body heat, and offer booties to keep their paws from getting too cold.
Dogs with plenty of thick, insulating fur can spend longer periods outside enjoying the winter with you.
So, play games like snowball fetch, explore snowy parks, or try taking a skijoring class. Just make sure your pet gets warm and dry following any outdoor playtime!
2. Indoor Exercise Counts, Too
Sometimes, it truly is just too cold or icy to go outside. When it hurts to breathe because the air is too cold, it’s time to find something to do inside.
The good news is that there is plenty you and your pet can do indoors! Sign up for a local agility or obedience class to get your pup moving—and socializing—on the colder days.
At your home, set up a fun treasure hunt with your pet’s favorite treats and toys, or play a rousing round of tug-of-war. Have stairs? Play a tag game with your pup where you go up and down as many times as you can!
As a bonus, making indoor activity a routine can help your pet feel less anxious when it’s time for you to go to work.
3. Adjust Your Pet’s Nutrition if Needed
Your pet’s activity levels often go down in colder weather, yet your pet may need extra energy to stay warm. To avoid under- or over-feeding, make sure you talk to your vet about ideal nutrition for your dog or cat during an Ontario winter.
You and your vet can work together to tailor your pet’s meal portions and feeding schedules to your overall winter activity level.
Winter Vet Care for Ontario Pets
If you’re concerned about your pet’s activity levels or nutrition in the winter, a vet checkup is a good idea.
The team at Glenridge Animal Hospital is well-versed in all the complexities of an Ontario winter, and we’re here to help you and your pet thrive. Call us at (905) 688-1996 to schedule a winter vet care appointment.