February 9, 2012
Posted in Pet Food

Winter is finally here in many regions throughout the U.S. and during this time many people are guilty of packing on a few extra pounds. This weight gain can also happen to pets.

Some owners might decide to give their dogs an extra helping of pet food during the winter in order to put some meat on their bones, while others continue to feed their animals the same amount, even if they get less exercise because of the cold. This can cause the dog to become obese or overweight, and most dogs do not need to put on too much extra weight to keep themselves warm during the winter. It is better to get your dog's weight under control now than to wait until spring to fix the issue.

A simple solution to this growing problem is to figure out exactly how many calories your pup should be taking in each day. Dogs do require more calories in the winter to keep their bodies warm and depending on certain factors, dogs will need between 10 and 90 percent more calories than during the warmer months.

To figure out how much food your dog needs, consider its size, how much hair and fur it has, its age, how healthy it is as well as how long it normally stays outside and how cold it is where you live. You should also factor in if your dog is at a healthy weight now, if it is underweight or if it is overweight.

If your pup spends a lot of time outdoors, it will probably need more calories in the cold months, but if your dog stays inside most of the time, it might be on the lower percentile. For dogs who are outside a lot, owners might want to feed them a brand that's high in protein and fruits and vegetables with healthy grain such as Halo Spot's Stew Adult Dry Dog Food. Owners might also want to start their dogs on daily supplements or pet drugs such as Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet or Pet Tabs to help keep their immune systems strong while they brave the outdoors. Supplying them with an adequate shelter and even pet products such as a Heated Bolster Dog Bed might make the
conditions more comfortable.

Some owners might think their pups don't require as much water in the winter as in the summer, however this is not true. Dogs need just as much hydration in the colder months so be sure to refill your dog's Durapet Dog Bowl often to make sure it stays healthy and strong. 

Related posts:

1. How to help Fido shed those pounds
2. How to help your pet lose weight
3. Supporting your arthritic dog through diet