Image Credits: Pixabay
With the onset of winters, a dog’s natural mechanism starts working that gets them prepared to battle the harsh weather. The shorter days and longer nights give signals to the dog’s brain and tell them that winter is on its way. Due to this, their metabolism slows down.
Even though a dog’s body naturally prepares itself for the
cold weather, taking care of the food is very important. You need to know what
to feed and how to change its diet to ensure that your pooch does not lose
weight and fall ill.
Here are some tips that will help you feed your pooch
during winter:
Calorie Intake
As per studies, dogs need more calories during winter
since the low temperature makes them shed a lot of calories. Dogs, like humans,
need to maintain constant body temperature and the way to do it during winter
is by shivering. However, shivering leads to a loss of calories in dogs. Dogs,
consequently, need more calories to be able to compensate for that loss. Dog
owners need to switch up their pooches diet during winter so that they do not
lose any extra weight because of shivering.
Does activity
levels affect what and how much to feed?
You also need to make a note of your pooch's activity
levels to know how many calories to feed. Some dogs become highly inactive, and
feeding them extra calories can lead to weight gain. Tweak your diet and keep a
regular check on their weight to know whether you need to increase or decrease
the calorie intake for your little friend.
If you see your pooch gaining weight, cut back on the food
and feed it less than you used to during summer.
Find activities
that you both enjoy
Make sure you give your canine companion enough activity
to stop lethargy from setting in. Look for better ways in which you can help
your little pooch manage its calories. There are so many options available; you
could play indoor games or take your friend to a dog daycare at least twice a
week. Nutrition is nothing without proper exercise; make sure you give enough
of that to your dog.
Hydration is
essential
One thing that should not be compromised on is water. A
dog gets dehydrated quickly when the weather is cold and dry. Please keep
checking the water bowl and make sure always to fill it. If your dogs stay
outside the house during winter, keep a check on the water bowl to see that the
water has not frozen. You cannot let your pooch drink snow.
Food that supports their immune system
Just like humans, dogs are also vulnerable to falling sick quickly. Get them good that has high nutritional value and help boost their immune system. Check the nutritional profile of the dog foods before you buy them for your pooch.
