5 Tips to Help Your Dog Fight Winter Weight Gain

As humans, dogs also require less calories in situations when they are exercising less. In winter, the walks are usually shortened, and the outdoor playtime is reduced. When the activity of your dog reduces and yet the amount of food intake remains constant another unnecessary calories will be stored as excess fat.Begin with the observation of the weight of your dog and its energy. In case your dog seems to be putting on the weight you have to reduce the amount a little. Drastic changes should not be made, it is better to make small changes which will be safer and more efficient.
Also measure the food portions and not eyeball them. Caution should be taken to use a good measuring cup in order to be consistent. Select good and nutritious food that is high in lean protein and moderate in fiber content to sustain a longer satisfying period of your dog. You also can break-even the meals to little portions throughout the day to avoid overeating.You should never make significant changes to the diet of your dog unless you consult your vet, and when your dog has special nutritional needs. You can also control the portion size well but leave your dog not hungry or deprived.



In case it is too cold to leave home, take the exercise inside. Dogs also require exercising to expend calories and keep their minds active. Activities that they do indoors can be entertaining, as well as healthy to them.
The following are simple methods of motivating your dog to move within your house:
Tug of war: It is a traditional game that develops strength and enthusiasm.
Hide and seek: Prepare some treats or toys and hide them throughout the house and allow your dog to seek them with his or her nose.
Interactive toys: Treat-dispensing and puzzle feeders an interactive toy can be serviced so that your dog will remain engaged.
Obstacle courses:Provide fun courses to your dog with the help of pillows, boxes or tunnels.
Stairs on the house can also be used to produce some exercise of the same manner but a few rounds will suffice, unless your dog has problems in the joints.
Indoor play burns the calories of your pet dog, as well as easing your bond, and avoids boredom-related behavior issues such as chewing and barking.



It is essential to have short and frequent walks outside even during cold weather. Dogs can enjoy the air, sunshine and a change of smell and hear new sounds. These walks also assist in controlling the mood and staying in tune with good muscle structure.
Make your dog suitably dressed for the weather. Smaller dogs, short-haired dogs, and elderly pets can use a sweater or coat to provide them with an additional coat of warmth. Well, keep their paws dry of salt and ice with a pair of dog balm or dog booties.
It is better to have some warmness, so go out in the sun, late in the morning, or early afternoon, which is also when there is not so much sunshine. Go out on the covered areas or take shorter routes in case of extreme weather and compensate with indoor games.
Consistency is key. Even though this form of exercise only consumes 1520 minutes a day in two sessions, you could still manage to keep your dog in shape and active as long as the winter season lasts.



The majority of the pet owners will be fond of giving more special treatment to their dogs especially during the holidays. However, large portions of snacks might readily destroy your efforts to keep your dog trim.
The ratio of treats in the calories that your dog is eating must not exceed 10 percent of his daily calories. Eat healthy nutritious low calorie snacks or eat small portions of vegetables and fruits such as carrots or apples (no barricade food: grapes, onions, chocolate, etc).
It is also possible to prepare homemade sweets with such healthy products as oats, pumpkin or sweet potatoes. In that manner you will be aware of what your dog contains.
To achieve this, train or reinforce with the help of the use of treats, reduce their normal meal by some amount to compensate for the number of calories. One should always keep in mind that your dog loves you and wants you to pay attention to him as much as he loves food as a reward.
Alternative non-food rewards can also be used as an alternative to curb unnecessary calorie intake without leaving your dog unsatisfied and de-motivated as like the alternative food rewards.



The season of winter is the best to beware of the health of your dog. Frequent weighing is beneficial in that it makes it easier to detect minor changes before they build up to become a larger issue.
You should weigh your dog after a few weeks and see the changes in the body shape. It must be possible to feel the rib cage of your dog without pressing so deeply, and you ought to see a waistline when you look at him above. When you see that your dog is becoming fatter or heavier, put action into it.
Your dog should be kept at a healthy weight as well and this is best achieved by a visit to the vet regularly. Depending on the breed, age and activity level of your dog, the vet can prescribe the amount of food, exercise or adjustments to the diet.
There are other dogs which put on weight because of some underlying conditions like thyroid problems or decreased metabolism as they age. Checking up regularly would detect these problems and give the correct treatment.


Physical activity is as important as was seen in mental exercise. An idle dog will tend to entertain itself through food. Play with your dog using new toys, scent games or trains. Learning new commands or tricks keeps the brain busy and it can be learnt in a comfortable environment within the house. Mental enrichment can be used to alleviate stress, prevent overeating and keep your dog mentally alert in the slower winter season. The importance of Being Healthy and Having a Healthy Weight.
Dogs can become very ill due to obesity, suffering joint diseases, diabetes, cardiac diseases and decreased lifespan. The overweight dogs may also find it hard to move around hence creating a system of doing nothing and gaining additional weight.
By taking care of the weight of your dog during winter, you are helping to keep it healthy and free of troubles in the long term and make it joyful, active, and joyous all year long.


Winter may be followed by homely days, yet it does not imply that your dog should not be taken care of. Through proper feeding, exercising your dog on the inside, and even treating them well and by having them checked up by the vet now and then you can be sure that your dog will not develop unwanted weight during winter.
Every small effort counts. Your focus and concern will be the difference between an additional round of fetch in the living room or changing portion size. Make your pet a happy, healthy and active member of your family that spends all seasons together.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do dogs gain weight for winter?Indoor dogs need extra weight in winter to help keep them warm. Reduced activity can lead to canine weight gain in colder months.
2. How do I help my dog lose weight in winter?Fetch: Engage your dog with a game of fetch using different types of toys.Hide and seek: Hide treats around the house to provide mental stimulation for your pet.Food puzzles: Challenge your pet's mind by using food puzzles that require them to work for their meals.
3. How to exercise a dog in winter?Hide and Seek. Fetch. Doggie Daycare. Stair Climbing. Doggie Treadmill. Obstacle Course. Swimming. Practice Commands or Learn New Tricks.
4. What time should I walk my dog in winter?It's best to walk your dog during the sunnier times of the day (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), both for warmth and safety.
5. Do dogs get more tired in the winter?Like humans, dogs can get tired and worn out in the cold weather - so take it easy! It's best to skip outdoor walks during extreme weather conditions, like heavy snow or blizzards.