Just because it’s cold out, it doesn’t mean that your dog should stop exercising.
Although exercise requirements will vary by size, breed and your dog’s health, most dogs require a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise every single day, and that fact doesn’t change when the weather gets cold. Winter is not an excuse to stop exercising your dog, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to brave the cold. There are actually many ways to help your dog get their exercise indoors, and the following is a list from our veterinary clinic in Levittown of just a couple of those ways:
#1. Run up and down the stairs with your dog.
It takes different muscles for your dog to get up and down the stairs than the muscles they use for regular running or walking, which makes running up and down the stairs with your dog a great way to physically challenge them. You can either do this by putting their leash on and running up and down with them, or you could stand at the top of the stairs and throw their favorite toy down for them to retrieve.
#2. Invest in a laser pointer.
Cats aren’t the only animals that love to chase lasers. In fact, laser pointers are a great tool when you want to tire your dog out inside. Let your dog get their energy out while they chase the laser all over your home. Just be careful not to shine it in their eyes, as this could damage their retinas.
Would you like to learn about more fun ways to exercise your dog inside? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog.