During the cold winter months we all just want to snuggle up and be indoors, including our pets. The thought of going to the park on a cold winters day does not appeal to Oscar at all! He loves to cosy up and snuggle with me, but he does get bored too.

Here are 6 fun things that Oscar loves to do indoors. Not only will these activities brighten your pooch’s mood, they also create some fun bonding time.

1. ‘Find It’ – Oscar’s favourite game:

Things you will need:

 6-8 empty yoghurt containers (the size will depend on the size of your furry love)

 Lots of treats

How to play:

Turn each yoghurt container upside down. Only put a treat under two or three of the containers. Then shuffle the containers and tell you pooch to “find it”. (Oscar prefers the container to be upright so he can put his nose right in and get the treat.) Oscar can play this game for ages… We have to run out of treats before he stops.

2. Indoor Obstacle Course:

Things you will need:

 Pillows

 Chairs

 Coffee table

 Boxes

How to play:

Have some fun with your pets! Build an indoor obstacle course using pillows stacked up, coffee tables to crawl under, chairs to jump over, boxes to sit on and whatever else you can find around your house to make the obstacle course fun. This is one way to get the blood flowing and you’re having fun with your best friend. Don’t forget to reward them for correctly completing a task!

3. Hide and Seek:

Things you will need:

 Places to hide

How to play:

Tell your pooch to ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ while you run and hide. You then call for your pooch to come and find you. One or more people can hide and as he finds them, you can reward him with treats.

4. Obedience Training:

Why not take the opportunity and brush up on some obedience training. Teach your pooch to sit, lie down or roll over. Of course there are more advanced tricks for you to teach your pooch like how to hold a treat on his nose until you tell him he can eat it, fetch his favourite toy or to lie down and cover his eyes. Just remember to be patient with your pets and to reward for effort.

5. Fill a Kong Toy:

You have all heard of the Kong toy right? Well an awesome way to keep your pets entertained for hours is to fill them with all sorts of yummy things. Here are a few ideas your pets will love:

 Mash up some banana, plain yoghurt and honey. Place inside the Kong toy then freeze for a few hours.

 Combine pumpkin, plain yoghurt and some cooked rice. Mix well and squish into the Kong toy. Freeze for a few hours.

 Make some good old macaroni and cheese and fill the Kong toy.

 Combine sugar-free applesauce with some fruit chunks; fill the Kong toy and freeze.

 Mix mashed potato with some dog biscuits and stuff the Kong toy.

 Combine a banana, plain peanut butter (that does NOT contain xylitol) and some cheese. Mix well and fill the Kong toy and freeze.

6. Treat Ball Time:

Oscar loves his treat ball. Not only does it squeak, but it also dispenses treats- much to his amazement! I pop a few bite sized treats in and let him roll away. Yoghurt drops work really well.

We hope you and your pets enjoy the fun indoor activities that Oscar and I love.

Thank you for reading

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You’ve heard the saying “if it’s too cold outside for you, then it’s too cold for your pets.” Well it’s true! Your dog may be covered in fur, but that doesn’t mean he won’t feel the cold. No dog should be left outside for too long in the cold.

If like me, your pets are not just pets they are apart of the family and are your four legged children, then no doubt they have a wide variety of cosy jackets, warm blankets and a comfy spot or two to snuggle.

Here are some tips for keeping your pets comfortable and warm this winter.

 Don’t shave your pets’ coat, a longer coat means more warmth.

 A doggy jacket is a good idea. Many people chuckle at the thought, but that extra layer is much appreciated by your pets. Make sure you get a jacket that fits properly and doesn’t restrict movement.

 Reduce bathing frequency. If your furry love does not enjoy being blow dried- aka Oscar! Then keep bathing to a minimum. Chances are they are not as dirty as during the summer months.

 Your pets can get frostbite and hypothermia too! Be kind, keep your pets indoors when it is cold outside. If you do need to leave your pets outside for a while, make sure they have a warm, dry and draft-free place to snuggle up.

 If your pets live for those early morning walks, consider putting booties or non-slip doggy socks on to protect their paws from any frost that may have formed overnight.

 Pets love to cosy up in front of a heater or fire, but be careful your pets don’t get too close. They can burn easily.

 Don’t let your pets lie on a cold floor. Give them a comfortable bed, which will provide warmth when they curl up. This is especially important for older dogs and over weight dogs.

 Microwaveable pillows are a great addition to your pets’ bed during the cold months.

 Adding healthy oils like olive oil, coconut oil and flaxseed oil to their diet will help prevent dry skin and keep their coats healthy and shiny.

 Most importantly enjoy the snuggle time with your pets!

You can browse the Stylish Paws online store for winter pet jackets, non-slip doggy socks as well as comfy bedding. Shop www.stylishpaws.co.za/shop2

Thank you for reading.

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