The winter season is synonymous with hibernating indoors, cozying up on the couch and treating ourselves to comforting goodies. In fact, studies show that humans gain up to five pounds during the winter months.
But pets are also subject to beefing up once the temperatures drop.
“Days are shorter and temperatures are colder, so spending time outdoors or taking long walks with your dog just isn’t as appealing as it is in warmer months,” says Dr. Kelly Ryan, director at the Animal Medical Center of Mid-America. “Those outdoor adventures are often replaced with cozy cuddles and long naps. Those are great, but when you are burning less calories, it can lead to weight gain.”
Cats are prone to adding extra winter weight, as well. “Indoor cats will ‘comfort eat’ if the house is cooler than normal and are more apt to stay snuggled under the covers,” says Dr. Lisa Lippman, a New York-based veterinarian.
The Dangers of Winter Weight Gain
Even if weight gain in pets is minimal, it can lead to health problems, warns Ryan.
“Carrying too much weight causes strain on a pet’s joints and ligaments. This damage eventually leads to arthritis,” she says. “Overweight pets are also at risk of respiratory trouble, especially when exercising. Shortness of breath, coughing and difficulty breathing makes exercising uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.”
Protect Your Pet: Preventing Weight Gain
There are plenty of ways to prevent weight gain and keep your pets healthy and active during the winter.
Make a veterinary appointment. Not all weight gain is caused by lack of exercise or overeating, so making an appointment with your veterinarian will help rule out any underlying issues.
“The weight gain could be because of a medical condition like heart disease or liver failure,” says Ryan. “If your pet seems to be gaining weight in his stomach or looks like he has a potbelly, he may have parasites—even if you don’t see them in his stool.”
Check your pet’s body condition score. If you do make a veterinary appointment, ask to have your pet’s body condition score checked, says Dr. Bruce Silverman of Village West Veterinary in Chicago.
“Most veterinarians use a body condition score to assess whether a pet is in good shape or needs to gain or lose weight,” he says. “When the ribs and spine are too well-cushioned under fat—if there's no waist or there's a bulging gut and love handles—then a diet is in order.”
Reevaluate your pet’s caloric needs. When it comes to feeding, pet parents have a tendency to go on autopilot. But a pet’s food portions should be adjusted based on activity levels and overall health, says Lippman.
“So many of us get into the habit of feeding the same amount of food each day and we never think to modify our feeding regimen,” she says. “Your vet can help you calculate exactly how many calories they need to sustain their weight or lose a bit.”
Use interactive toys and food puzzles. To beat winter boredom, try using food puzzles to help keep your pet mentally engaged. “Instead of dishing out your dog’s meals, put his or her food in a puzzle bowl,” says Ryan. “Your dog will have to work to get his food, and he’ll have fun doing it.”
For cats, she recommends activities that encourage bonding between felines and their human family members. “Chasing a toy on a string or batting a ball with their favorite human provides wonderful mental and physical exercise,” says Ryan.
Bring outdoor activities inside. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to winter activities and exercise.
“A lot of outdoor activities like fetch are easy enough to move indoors, being careful of furnishings and staircases,” says Silverman. “If one is lucky enough to have a large home, then agility or chase is quite an easy distraction from the winter blues.”
Consider water therapy. If your dog suffers from any stiffness during the cold months or you simply want him to move more freely, consider getting him in the water. “A great option for exercise is water therapy,” says Ryan. “Dogs can burn calories in a way that is easier on their joints, so they can exercise longer than if they were walking on leash.”