The days are shorter, the air is cooler and our favourite footpaths are ankle-deep in mud. Here, we uncover some alternatives to walking your dog during the colder weather – recommended by an animal behaviourist and a vet.
If autumn or winter fatigue is setting in and your normal walk seems less accessible, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways for your pet to get exercise and for you both to have fun together.
Ensure plenty of mental stimulation
We often think our dogs need to go out for walks every day, but sometimes it’s not the best thing for them.
Older dogs or those with mobility issues, for instance, may not welcome pounding the streets in cold or wet weather, so don’t feel guilty about not getting out. Just ensure you give them plenty of mental stimulation, which is just as important and can be done anywhere – kitchens, garages and conservatories all make ideal spaces.
The best way to provide mental stimulation for your dog is to tap into their natural ‘seeking’ behaviour. Dogs enjoy using their brain to look for stuff they want to engage with, so use puzzle feeders, Kong toys or scatter food.
Simple scenting work is a useful activity, which can also be done anywhere. Just drop treats as you walk to form a scent trail for your dog to enjoy.
Head for the water – or an agility centre
As traditional countryside trails may become less accessible to owners in autumn and winter, Petplan veterinary expert Brian Faulkner suggests looking into alternatives for dog exercise. ‘Hydrotherapy centres are appropriate for animals of all levels of fitness, although some dogs enjoy swimming more than others.
‘Alternatively, there are also plenty of agility centres and parks where your dog can burn off excess energy while having fun climbing, jumping and weaving through obstacles.’
Find fun games to play together inside
While most dogs usually clamour to get outside whatever the weather, older dogs – especially those diagnosed with arthritis – usually need their colder-weather walk schedule changed.
Luckily, with a little bit of creative thinking, there are plenty of fun ways to keep older or less mobile dogs fit and happy inside the house. Ideas include hide and seek, where you can teach your dog to sniff out a hidden object such as a tennis ball; tug-of-war, fetch or playing with toys such as flirt poles (long pole with a string attached to a toy). Find more ways to keep your dog entertained at home here.
Other alternatives to walking your dog
Another idea to keep your dog active is to create an enrichment garden, using smells, textures, tastes, sights and sounds to encourage play in a safe environment that will stimulate all of your dog’s senses.
Training sessions can be carried out in the home during particularly cold or stormy days, or you could set up an obstacle course in the garden to boost agility. You don’t need a lot of space to play indoors with your dog, and you might want to invite a friend and their dog over for a doggy playdate.
For specialist advice on exercising a dog with mobility issues, speak to your vet. Or, if you have a Petplan dog insurance policy, log into your My Petplan account under MySupport, and access Pet Expert Chat to get veterinary advice 24/7. to speak with a qualified expert via our Pet Expert Chat.
How to keep your dog safe during cold walks
If you do decide to head outside for a walk, you’ll want to know how to keep your dog happy. ‘I wouldn’t recommend stopping walks altogether, but you might consider shortening the amount of time your dog is out in the cold,’ says Brian.
While some dogs love to play in cold weather, this isn’t the case for all breeds. How much time you spend in the cold depends on the breed, age and health of your dog.
‘Some dogs benefit from clothing in the colder months, especially short-haired breeds. In the UK, most dogs won’t need paw protection from snow and ice unless the temperature drops below minus five degrees. Paws will get cold, but don’t be tempted to plunge them into warm water after a cold walk – that extra throbbing can be uncomfortable.’
It’s good to remember that regular dog exercise is important for your pet, helping to keep their cardiovascular system healthy, build their muscle and improve their bone health – as well as helping to boost their mental health. Exercise also has a positive impact on your pet’s digestive system. Find out how much exercise your dog needs and plan walks and games accordingly.
How do you keep your dog fit and healthy during colder weather? Join in the conversation over on Petplan’s Facebook page.