How to keep your dogs warm and pups cosy this Winter
Being out in the cold makes for lots of Winter fun, but don't forget to wrap up this season. Keep your dogs and pups warm and safe, to make sure no-one gets the Winter blues.
The temperature has dropped, and the Christmas lights are up: Winter is well and truly here! There's nothing like a crisp and frosty Winter walk throughout this season, and your dogs will love nothing more than chasing snowflakes and jumping around in the frozen mud. However, it can get more than a little nippy, especially when they don't have thermal gloves and boots like you to rely on. Don't fret, we've gathered our favourite warming Winter tips to keep your pup pals warm and cosy all season long.
Read on to find out how to keep chilliness at bay from your furry friends, both indoors and outdoors.
Cosy up with heating pads
We all love a good hot water bottle when the air is too chilly to bear, and same goes for our waggy pals. You can find an array of heating pads available in pet stores and online to pop under pet beds, blankets, or in comfy corners, so your dogs can keep nice and warm all day long. Make sure you use pet specific heating pads and mats, as human heating devices may be too hot or delicate for use by our paw-fect pups. We recommend specifically using these at night wherever your pet likes to sleep, as we all know how chilly those Winter nights can get, and it will put your mind at ease knowing your dogs can stay cosy whilst you both get your beauty sleep.
Now that you've got cosy beds set up, how can we keep our pups warm outdoors?
Stylish Winter wear
Some dogs can stay warm and happy in even the coldest weather, due to their thick coats and strong size, but what about our smaller and less furry friends? It may be time to upgrade your dogs wardrobe, with some paw-some Winter wear. From protective snow boots, to warm coats, to snuggly hats, there is stylish and practical apparel available for your pup. Remember to consider safety aspects of your usual walk spots, and what protective clothing your dog may need. For example, reflective and waterproof coats or jackets may be useful if you usually walk through highly snowy areas. If you want your pet to look their absolute best whilst staying snug as a bug, check out our top doggy coat brands for our favourites in puppy fashion.
We've tackled the outside, so let's move back indoors to make your home a cosy pup paradise.
Cosy hiding spots
Along with heating pads, it can be useful to create lots of warm hiding spots throughout your home for your dog to use. This can include small blanket forts, making their bed warmer with pillows and blankets, or making spots on sofas and beds inviting and dog-friendly. This means your pups can take themselves off to whichever cosy hideaway they like during the day, to get some alone time and stay snuggled up all at once. Keeping these warm spots elevated and off the floor is also useful, to help them retain heat efficiently. Everyone's home is different, so find and create cosy dog hideaways wherever works for the both of you.
After all that snuggling and snoozing, let's get their blood pumping! Up on your paws, it's time to get active.
Keep active
It can be tempting to let your dog stay cosied up and sleeping when it's too chilly to move, but sometimes that can be the best thing for them. Keeping your dogs active and moving helps keep their bodies healthy, and keeps them warm as they exercise. Pop on those winter coats and head up your local park for a run-around, or even just get out in the garden for some athletic fun. If the weather is far too extreme to brave the outdoors, keep your pup entertained with toys and games inside to keep those muscles moving and paws sweating. We recommend setting up indoor obstacle courses for larger dogs that need regular exercise, so they can stay stimulated and fit without putting a paw through the door. Check out our ideas for stimulating your indoor dog for more at-home fitness tips.
Phew! It must be time to eat after all that exercise, so how can we stay warm through dinner-time?
A simple way to bring more warmth and comfort to your dog this Winter, is to serve them up some deliciously hot meals to keep tummies cosy and happy. We recommend serving up a portion of our Tilly & Ted meals, such as our Lamb Kebab or Chicken Dinner, warm and steamy so your dog can enjoy all the goodness of a hot meal this Winter. Pop the meal into a heat-proof bowl and microwave for 2 minutes, stirring halfway, or pop it into a small pan and heat on the hob. Heat for longer if not warmed through yet, or leave to cool if the food is too hot to the touch for your dog to eat. Burnt tongues are never fun, so ensure your meal it cool enough for your pup to chomp down on before serving. Before you know it, your dog will be have a snuggly belly and a warm heart, ready to tackle the Winter season like a champ.
If you want to find the paw-fect meal to heat up and treat your pup to, check out our full range of dog food to find tail-wagging goodness for dogs of every shape and size. From grain-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your pups will be feeling paw-some and have the happiest tummies around.
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