Kaipara Farm Vets
Kaipara Farm Vets and Rural Solutions is a locally owned business aiming to provide large animal veterinary services and support to our farming community.
A walk around your local dog exercise area for off-leash fun is key to enjoying Winter with your dog. Zoomies in the fresh air, smelling the lamp posts, and interaction with others is fun. On wet days there is lots you can do indoors too.
You can also exercise and play with your cats more. Read on for tips to increase their exercise and happiness during Winter.
As the temperature drops outside it is tempting to hibernate inside during Winter, staying warm and dry. Exercise is essential for your cat and dog’s physical and mental well-being all year round, even during a wet, cold Winter.
Exercise and play are important for general fitness, weight control, stimulating circulation, and for aiding the passage of food through the intestine.
Dogs and cats are intelligent animals who need stimulation to support their metal wellbeing. You can help reduce destructive or annoying behaviours that can occur as a result of boredom.
Being goofy and creative helps make your dog happy and cat content, plus it will bring you so much joy. Interactive toys can also help your dog or cat with issues like anxiety or boredom and can reduce the possibility of them developing dementia later in life.
Donning boots and a warm jacket to walk around your local area or to their favourite dog exercise area for off-leash fun is key to enjoying Winter with your best friend. Zoomies in the fresh air, the curiosity and stimulation from smelling other dogs on the lamp posts, and interaction with others can be the highlight of their day and essential for their physical wellbeing.
If the weather does not allow regular long walks, you can try shorter walks on those wet days and add some indoor dog exercise games, toys, and play, such as:
A happy dog is a healthy, playful, and active dog.
Cats, being independent creatures, are not as reliant on us to induce exercise if they are allowed outdoors. However, some cats who tend to just eat and sleep, especially in winter and as they age, will need our encouragement.
To minimise cats running up the curtains or scratching furniture, you can encourage them to burn off excess energy with:
A happy cat will play, purr, cuddle, and love you even more.
It is well documented that pets can calm and relax us, reduce our stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure,
They can ease loneliness and help us meet new people, provide structure to our day, encourage us to exercise and play and improve our cardiovascular health.
Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. Perhaps most importantly, a pet can add real joy and unconditional love to your life.
Getting outdoors and exercising can be more difficult during winter, but it's important as pet parents to stay motivated all year round. Dogs and cats bring so much to our lives, we owe it to them to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep them happy and healthy.
The above information is provided as an educational guide only and is not a substitute for advice from your pet’s healthcare professionals. If your pet’s symptoms continue, you are concerned about them, or you would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Kaipara Farm Vets and Rural Solutions is a locally owned business aiming to provide large animal veterinary services and support to our farming community.
