Helping Pets Stay in Shape During Winter

Winter can be hard on everyone, including dogs. It becomes tougher for walks outside for the pets and owners because would rather to stay inside where it is warm especially when it is below zero outside. To keep everyone in good shape during these very cold winter days, start with fewer calories to keep dogs trimmer.

Snow is tough, but it can serve as great exercise equipment for a dog. Running through the snow can burn more than five times as many calories as running on regular pavement, so make it into a game and have fun with it. Put the mittens on everyone’s paws, get that favorite stick or ball out and play fetch through the deep snow. The deeper the snow, the more calories are burned.

If there is room and the space permits, try indoor play. It’s surprising how many calories can be burned and how much fun can be had with few simple indoor games.

If a dog loves to chew, the act of chewing can actually burn a good deal of calories. Deer and elk antlers make a great indoor chew. They do not smell, make a mess, crack or break and are full of healthy minerals like calcium and phosphorus. No animals are harmed to obtain the antlers, which are shed naturally and collected.

Rob Freeman is the owner of Northshore Pet Chef, offering healthy, fresh, all-natural pet food delivered to the door. For more information, call 847-920-4738 or visit NorthshorePetChef.com.