Three top tips to ensure your dog thrives into autumn & winter

As we transition into the autumn and winter seasons, keeping our furry friends healthy becomes a top priority. “During these colder months, dogs are more susceptible to various health challenges, including weight gain, joint issues, and skin problems. The changing weather, reduced daylight, and altered routines can affect their well-being differently,” explains Dr Bobby Ortiz, a.k.a. Dogtor Bob (below), Veterinarian and brand ambassador for Kerry-based pet nutrition company Blue Pet Co.

Together, they are sharing three essential tips for dog owners to ensure their pets stay healthy during this crucial time. Dr Bobby believes that beyond a proper diet and regular exercise, there are simple tips every dog owner should know to keep their pets healthy: “Canine obesity has been reported to be anywhere from 40-80%. It has serious health side effects, from joint disorders and diabetes to pancreatitis and heart disease. Most of my older patients suffer from one or more of these diseases. Thankfully, there are some simple tricks dog owners can employ to keep their pets well.”

Whether you're a seasoned pet parent or new to dog ownership, read on to discover these valuable insights for a happier and healthier autumn and winter for your canine companions.

TIP 1: Portion Control

So many clients become confused about why their dog can’t lose weight. If they use high-quality wet or kibble food, an excellent option for many pet owners, the bag will detail how many grams of food to feed their dog daily, depending on its weight. But many people aren’t unaware that this is their entire caloric need per day. That means that any other food, table scraps or snacks would put them into caloric excess and cause them to gain weight or need to work harder to keep it off.

If you want to train your dog using treats or have the option to give treats throughout the day, you need to cut back on the recommended amount of kibble food by 10-20%. If you’ve discussed weight loss with your veterinarian, their intake would need to be reduced by a further 20%. If your dog is neutered or spayed, decrease their daily calories by another 10-20%. Finally, be mindful of table scraps. A small corner of toast with a bit of butter may seem like nothing but it can be 5-20% of our pet's daily calories, depending on their size.

TIP 2: Body Condition Scoring

“So, Dogtor Bob, Fluffy is 15kg. Is that a good weight for him?” The answer is never straightforward, as weight is only one part of our dogs’ health and fitness. Along with physical examination and clinical history, veterinarians and other trained professionals often use Body Condition Scoring (BCS) to check a dog’s weight. You can try it at home, too. The scale is accessible to anyone online.

BCS is a ranking scale from 1-9 that looks at factors such as the ‘hourglass’ shape of the torso, the amount of fat deposition around the spine and if the ribs are palpable or visible. Your vet can develop an appropriate plan based on your dog’s rating to help them gain, maintain or lose weight. If you’re concerned your dog is in the 1-2 or over 7 brackets, make an appointment to visit your vet as soon as possible.

TIP 3: Supplementation

Even dogs with the best healthy diets can benefit from supplementation. For example, while many pet foods boast high amounts of Omega Fatty Acids, they can denature from when they are produced to when we serve them to our pets. Supplementing Omega 3,6,9 is one of the few thoroughly researched additives that help boost healthy skin and fur, decrease inflammation, promote strong joints and even reduce cardiovascular disease. A great option that is high in these Omega Fatty Acids is Blue Pet Co.’s GoActive supplement, which my own dog gets as a daily treat.

About Blue Pet Co.

Blue Pet Co. is an Irish range of sustainable dog supplements enriched with highly nutritious marine extracts from seaweed sustainably harvested along the West Coast of Ireland. According to a new field study*, up to 96% of people notice improvements in their dog’s health after taking the supplements in as little as four weeks.

Developed by a team of marine scientists, Blue Pet Co.’s tasty chewable supplements target critical areas of health concern in dogs – joints and muscles, skin and hair, teeth and gums. Choose from GoShine, GoActive and GoSmile, available in chicken or peanut butter flavours, perfect for plant-based pets.

Find Blue Pet Co. supplements in leading pet retailers nationwide, including Petmania, and Pet Republic, veterinary clinics and online at bluepet.com.