Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Keep Your Pet Happy This Winter - Avoid The Seasonal Blues!

Sure, you may be dreading the upcoming callous winter weather, but it also can put your pets in a very gloomy mood. According to various studies, 1 in 3 dog owners will see a drastic change in their pets’ moods during colder and darker months throughout the year. However, the solution is as easy as providing an extremely healthy diet and lots of exercise. Start with these tips:

Regular Exercise
If it is too cold to take Fido out for a nice brisk walk, then try playing fetch with your pet inside for about 15-20 minutes a day. You can also play hide and seek with your pet by hiding a rawhide bone in different areas around the house. By using the bone, it will encourage your pet to find the hidden object because he will be able to smell it. Be sure to praise your pet when he does find it. Also, if your pet does not currently have a playmate, try adopting a new puppy! They will stay occupied by playing together and it will also provide them with plenty of exercise.

Change His Diet
Just like humans; dogs also get tired of eating the same food over and over. If you are buying him one brand of dry dog food every time, try switching to a different brand. Offer him wet dog food 1-2 times a week so he will keep his interest in eating. However, you want to be sure not to over feed your dog, as they do tend to be a little less energetic during the winter months.

Sharpen Your Pet’s Mind
Teach your pet a new trick. He may already know the basic tricks such as sit and beg, but try a trick that may be a little more difficult. This will help to improve your pet’s mentality and help keep him from getting depressed because his mind will stay active. It will also make the bond between you and your pet stronger.

1 comment:

Lonnie the Girl said...

Excellent tips. Thanks a lot. I'll try to keep Herbie happy this winter!