Winter’s here, and for those of us with furry friends, the thought of chilly, dark days might seem like a barrier to the adventures we’re used to in sunnier months. But here’s the truth: with the right prep and a bit of creativity, winter can be just as much fun for your dog as any other season. At Simply Jaspers, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about keeping your pup both active and entertained while the temperatures drop.

Bundle Up in Style: Winter Gear for a Warmer Walk

Some dog breeds come with their own winter coats, but others, like Greyhounds and Chihuahuas, are more suited to curling up by the fire than braving the cold. If your dog shivers or seems uncomfortable outdoors, consider investing in a well-fitted, waterproof winter jacket. This isn’t about making your dog look cute (though that’s a bonus); it’s about keeping them comfortable. Research from PDSA, the UK’s veterinary charity, confirms that smaller and short-coated breeds need extra warmth to stay cosy (PDSA, 2023).

For paws, think booties or paw balm to protect against road grit and ice. While your dog may do a funny little dance in boots the first time, many quickly get used to them. Plus, no one wants icy paws, right? Paw balms, like coconut-based varieties, can also act as a protective barrier if boots are a no-go.

Mix Up the Routine: Shorter but Frequent Walks

If the weather’s particularly frosty or wet, swap your usual hour-long walk for several shorter ones throughout the day. This allows your dog to stretch their legs and get fresh air without prolonged exposure to the cold. Early morning and mid-afternoon walks also give you a better chance of catching daylight. Walking multiple times a day is actually great for dogs’ mental stimulation as well, says the Kennel Club UK (2023), and it’ll help avoid that cabin fever so common in winter.

Find Winter Wonderland Dog Parks

Winter dog-friendly locations can be a real treat, especially in places that stay quiet during the colder months. Look for off-leash areas where your dog can enjoy some proper romping. If you’re in a rural area, this is also an ideal time to explore countryside trails and bridle paths (keeping an eye on your dog’s stamina in the cold). City dogs can enjoy enclosed dog parks, which are often less crowded during colder weather, giving them the space to run wild. 

Stimulate the Mind as Well as the Body

On those bitter, icy days when neither of you wants to be outside, let the games come to you! Brain games like hiding Simply Jaspers Game Stix around the house for your dog to sniff out (or "hide and seek" with their favourite toy) are fantastic for mental stimulation. Dr. Stanley Coren, a renowned dog psychologist, confirms that dogs love tasks that engage their natural instincts, like sniffing and searching (Coren, 2019). This kind of play can burn nearly as much energy as a run in the park!

Puzzle toys are also great for this purpose. Using a treat-dispensing puzzle can also keep your dog entertained.

Create Indoor Agility

If you’ve got some space, setting up a mini-indoor agility course can be a fun way to keep your dog active. Think of it as a DIY canine gym: use cushions, cardboard boxes, and maybe even a broomstick balanced on books for a jumping bar. Of course, make sure it’s all safe and stable. You’ll find that some dogs get the hang of it right away, while others might need a little coaxing. Either way, it’s a great way to stay active on those days when it’s absolutely pouring outside.

Play Dates and Doggy Day Care for Social Butterflies

If your dog loves to socialise, consider a playdate with another friendly pup or even a doggy day care visit. Many indoor doggy day cares provide warm, controlled environments where dogs can safely interact and exercise. It’s a fantastic way to let your dog blow off steam without freezing their paws off. Regular socialising is essential for a well-rounded, happy dog, especially during the winter when it’s easy to isolate. Plus, it can be a joy watching them play without a care in the world!

Snuggle Up and Chill Out

Finally, remember that winter is a time for rest and relaxation too. After all, who doesn’t love curling up in a warm, cosy spot? Give your dog a comfortable bed or blanket near a heat source and make sure it’s not too hot for them. Letting your dog enjoy these quiet, warm moments can be just as enriching as a good run. According to the RSPCA, rest and relaxation are key to a dog’s mental health, especially after exercise (RSPCA, 2023). So, once they’ve had their fun outside, don’t be afraid to join them for some quality snuggle time.

Winter doesn’t have to mean slowing down completely, it’s about adapting to the season and finding the right balance for your dog’s physical and mental health. With a bit of imagination and preparation, you can keep your furry friend as active, healthy, and happy as ever, no matter how chilly it gets. Embrace winter walkies and enjoy the season together!

“Before you get a dog, you can’t quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can’t imagine living any other way”.

Caroline Knapp

I’m going to let you into a little secret, there is a very little talked about phase of becoming a puppy owner that I wish somebody had told me beforehand. The puppy blues is a very real, common experience especially if you are a first-time owner and I think more awareness and less stigma surrounding this is very much needed.

In my last blog I talked about getting a puppy; what to research and prepare for, but what is often missed when you type in a google search of how to prepare for a new puppy, is the stage encountered very soon after your pup is brought home known as the “puppy blues”.

What Is The Puppy Blues?

After all the waiting, preparation and dreaming of life with your adorable furry bundle, they’re finally home and you are on a massive high. But with all big changes in life and new experiences, how you imagined the process of settling in your new addition to the family can be quite jarringly different in reality and well, quite frankly a big shock to the system. Puppy blues is the pretty accurate term used to describe the waves of regret, anxiety, grief, dismay, guilt, hopelessness and sleep deprivation experienced in the first weeks and months of becoming a pup parent.

The feelings of responsibility, loss of freedom as you revolve your days and nights around constant supervision, toilet breaks and entertaining your little fur baby quickly takes a toll on you physically and emotionally and it is quite normal to feel overwhelmed and cry “What have I done?!”

I am here to tell you not to feel bad for feeling this way because it is normal! I thought I had read all the guides, forums, and websites on what to expect and when it first hit me a couple of days in, I thought I must be really unusual to feel blue as even my friends who had dogs never mentioned feeling low getting their puppy’s home.

What Are The Main Triggers?

• Unrelenting disruptions to your routine, from mopping up toileting accidents, to taking them outside every hour.
• Keeping your eye on them constantly and making sure they are occupied and entertained
• Broken sleep repeatedly for toilet breaks and early starts
• Loss of your freedom
• Pre-existing mental health conditions can make you more susceptible

Does It Get Better?

Yes! It does pass and you will feel better and love the bond you have formed with your puppy, but don’t pressure yourself on how long that should take. Building a relationship takes time and commitment. You and your pooch are both learning how to live alongside each other and building a routine so cut yourself some slack!

Things To Keep Mindful Of

• Better days are coming, your pup will be toilet trained, sleep through the night and not need your constant attention
• Your puppy is not trying to annoy you
• Your pup will get the hang of training if you remain consistent
• Teething, chewing and nipping will pass
• I can vouch you will feel joy, love and excitement again and have many fun moments of companionship ahead
• It is so common, though rarely admitted

Things That Helped Me

• One of the best things I did was to admit to my family and friends that I was struggling and asked for breaks. Having that time out to myself really helped me to get through adapting to our new addition.
• Contacting my friends who had dogs and asking them if they had the puppy blues and hearing their experiences and relating to their struggles was a huge comfort and gave me hope that things would pass, and better times were ahead.
• I had a fantastic breeder and so contacting them and asking for advice on anything that was worrying me was a great support.
• Not looking too far ahead, taking things one day at a time and celebrating the achievements and progression helped too
• When my pup Cookie was allowed to go outside on walks, it made a massive difference and gave back the freedom we had lost and the chance to socialise with other dog owners and ask advice.

What To Do If Things Don’t Improve

It can take from a few weeks to several months to adapt to having a puppy and the scale is different for everyone. In my case it took me around 8 or 9 months to settle and feel completely bonded with Cookie, for other family members it was only a few weeks, so it can really vary.

However, there is a difference between the puppy blues and a genuine incompatibility that is not in the best interests for your or your puppy.

When To Rehome

• The puppy is not compatible with other pets or your children (and is showing signs of aggression)
• Your mental health is severely impacted and you do not feel you have the support or capacity to provide the best for your dog
• You are unable to devote the time needed to care and provide for you puppy
• You have gained control of the situation i.e., toilet training and sleeping but you are still experiencing difficulties coping

I hope that shining a light on this common but often unspoken experience has helped prepare you for your new arrival or comforted you if you’re in the midst of puppy blues.

A year on I can’t bear to be apart too long from Cookie and look forward to our walks, playtime and snuggles. He is an absolute ray of sunshine and I could not imagine life without him!

Most of us feel the effects of the festive overindulgence when we start the New Year, so we decide to get back in shape. The same goes for our four legged friends - after all, dogs are part of the family too, so we treat them with some festive extras. 

It is very important to watch your pet's weight as well as your own, as carrying too much weight can cause a number of health problems in dogs.

A healthy, nutritious diet is the best for dogs. Knowing how much food your dog actually needs is way more important than how much they want to eat! We have collected a number of tips on what a healthy diet should look like and a few other tips to help your dog get healthier after the New Year.

Diet

It is recommended feeding your dog a high-quality, complete diet according to its life stage. We have compiled our top tips of things to look for when choosing the right food for your dog:

• Complete: Always look for a food that says it is complete, this is because complete foods contain all the nutrients your dog needs, in the right amounts, therefore being completely balanced.
• Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA): Find a food that is manufactured by a member of the PFMA. Members of this organisation meet extra quality standards than the minimum required by law. Jaspers is a registered member of this organisation, as well as the P.I.F (Pet Industry Federation).
• Wet vs dry: Complete diets come in both wet and dry forms. Some owners choose to feed a combination of both foods. If choosing this combination, it is important to make sure the amount of each is correct by looking at the packets and figuring out how much to feed each.

In order to stay fit and healthy, an animal's diet is only one part of the equation. Exercise is also vital. You should start slow when starting a new exercise routine with an overweight dog or one that is older and less active. Basically, any additional activity you can fit into your dog's daily routine will help them reach their target weight.

By using our comprehensive feeding guide, this will enable you to feed your dog on the correct quantity and at the most cost effective level.

About us

At Jaspers, we make sure that your dog gets all the important nutrients they need for a balanced diet. Our food and treats are crafted with care and contain natural, human-grade ingredients.

Find out more about our dog products: https://jaspers-petfood.myshopify.com/collections/dog-shop

Find out more about our cat products: https://jaspers-petfood.myshopify.com/collections/cat-shop