Exercise Ideas for Pets in Cooler Weather: Keeping Your Pet Active Indoors and Outdoors
The dog days of summer may be over, but there are plenty of autumn pet activities and indoor pet exercises for keeping pets active fall, winter, and spring. In this blog, our team at The Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center shares some of our favorite fall pet fitness tips to help you keep your cats and dogs in tip-top shape fall season long.
Outdoor Pet Activities Fall
Milder temperatures make fall pet fitness activities extra fun and enjoyable. Plus, there’s something about the swirling spectacle of falling leaves that makes time spent outdoors this season particularly enchanting.
Check out some of our suggestions for autumn pet activities:
Hit the hiking trails: Enjoy a stroll with your favorite canine (or outdoorsy feline) at one of the pet-friendly hiking trails in our area. If your dog or cat isn’t fond of long distances, or if you have a senior pet, a pet stroller or backpack can give your furry sidekick a helpful lift when they begin to tucker out.
Visit a pumpkin patch: Nothing says fall like a visit to a nearby pumpkin patch where your pet can “help” you choose the perfect pumpkins for your porch. Just make sure pets are welcome before you go.
Go camping: Cooler evenings make campfires cozier, but keep marshmallows off the menu. Marshmallows can be loaded with sugar or sweetened with xylitol, which is toxic to pets. Instead, share a few small bites of a low-sodium hotdog made from turkey, chicken, or plant proteins.
Gear up for trick or treat: Your pet can show off their adorable costume while getting plenty of exercise strolling the neighborhood—but only if Halloween festivities don’t cause anxiety for your pet.
Embark on longer walks: Take advantage of falling temps by taking longer walks and allowing your dog to leisurely explore the surroundings.
Indoor Pet Exercises for Fall Pet Fitness
The occasional rainy or cold day is bound to happen in the fall, and when it does, there are plenty of indoor pet exercises to keep your pets their fittest, including:
Create a custom obstacle course: Your cat or dog will love jumping, dodging, and tunneling through obstacles made from items you already have at home.
Hide and seek with treats: Stash your pet’s favorite treats around the house for your pet to sniff out and find!
Teach your pet a new trick: Learning new tricks can be fun for your pet, plus, it can strengthen the bond you share while providing your pet with valuable mental enrichment.
Sprint the stairs: Got an animal athlete on your hands? Race your pet up and down the stairs three times. Take a break. Repeat!
Keeping Pets Active Fall Season Long
If you’d like more suggestions for pet exercise in cooler weather or if it’s time for your pet’s wellness visit, please contact us today.