Winterize your pets
Winter in Canada can be harsh. We break out the puffy jackets and Ski-Doo mitts to run to the warmed 
up, idling car. We spend more time on the couch and less time being active. We will perhaps even add a few pounds and have to loosen our belts. Well, it’s no different for our pets.
The fact that we become more sedentary, automatically causes our dogs to become more sedentary as well. Animals are tough and resilient, but the extremes that we can experience in our area can be quite dangerous.
The following are some tips to keep your pets safe in our typical Canadian winters.
- Keep Fit – Nutrition - 41 % of pets in Canada are overweight. Keeping the fat off of a pet is as easy as burning more calories or consuming less. With pets being more sedentary in the winter months, we must cut back on their intake. Cut back on the kibble by 25% or choose a low calorie pet food recipe. Don’t count out “Senior” recipes, as they are simply a low calorie alternative with joint supplements and vitamins such as glucosamine and chondroiten that cannot hurt a younger dog and are beneficial, especially larger breeds. Our exclusive brand, Multi Menu, offers three low calorie choices; Diet Menu, Lamb and Rice and our super premium Senior recipe. Free samples always available. There are also low calorie treats available as well. Be sure to read your labels.
- Keep Fit – Exercise – Every little bit counts. A pet can be a great motivator for us to keep ourselves active in the winter months. Look into those loving eyes and tell yourself that every minute of activity your pet gets will add time on the end of their lives for us to enjoy that much more. Face it, our pets don’t live long enough as it is. The best way to show our love is to prolong their lives as best we can. Get out to the dog parks or the Dobson trail, or where ever you like to go. Even a quick jaunt around the block is better than sitting on the couch eating a barrel of cheese balls. (Thanks Superstore – I love those cheese ball barrels. Make great Yankee Swap gifts too). Don’t count out the treadmill! My dog does 20 minutes a day, three days a week. If you have one, start slow. Train them to stand on it (use low cal treats) first. This may take five minutes or a few days. Turn it on the slowest speed and then work from there. Never leave the dog unattended. I like to sit facing the dog in front of the machine.
- Paw Protection – Ever gone barefoot on the snow? Ever put salt then an ice cube on your skin? WELL DON’T DO IT ! IT BURNS! Pets paws are generally quite tough and can handle the extremes of winter. However, some dogs have more sensitivity to the cold on their tootsies than others. There are products that can help. From a topical paw protector balm to booties of all shapes and styles. Be sure that if you try booties, you put them on and immediately go for a walk. Don’t think that you should let the dog wear them around the house to get used to them. Your best bet is to get out there exploring right away in order to get their attention of the boots and on to smelling every snowbank on your street.
- Containment – Be aware that the copious amounts of snow and the drifting that goes with it can make our otherwise inescapable fenced in yards not so secure. Keep an eye on the snow levels around your fenced in area and shovel if necessary.
