Staying active during the cold winter months isn’t always easy. Short days and chilly winds can make getting out from under the blankets tough for a lot of people and pets alike. However, with a little planning and some warm outfits, staying happy and healthy until spring isn’t just possible—it’s enjoyable for you and your pet!
The experts at Nationwide VetHelpline®, powered by FirstVet, shared these tips to help you get started.
Getting outside and going for a walk is the perfect chance to get some physical and mental stimulation for your dog. Exercise is especially important for dogs who are susceptible to boredom. Despite the chill, give your pet plenty of time to sniff around and engage their senses.
It’s important to dress for the weather, especially during the low-light hours of the morning or evening. Adorn yourself and your dog with reflectors so cars can see you easily. If your dog’s coat is short or thin, help protect them from the cold with a warm jacket and boots, and talk to your pet’s veterinarian about signs that your pet may need to cut a chilly walk short. When you return home, wash and dry your pup’s paws to rid them of road salt that can lead to pad cracking and discomfort.
Your veterinarian can help you determine the best frequency and duration of outdoor exercise for your pet based on their age, breed and fitness level. It also helps to set up a healthy exercise routine for you at a time when the sun sets early and getting fresh air may prove difficult.
If it is really cold outside, it can be good to come up with some form of indoor activities to exercise your dog’s mind. Here are three games to get started:
Wait until they sniff the right one before praising and lifting the cup. Repeat with two cups until your dog is consistently picking the correct cup. Then you can add more cups to make the game more challenging.
Your cat may seem pretty content curled up near a heat source, but it’s important to keep them active throughout the winter, too.
Cats may require a little more play time during the winter to get the exercise they need. During warmer times of the year, cats will actively hunt their toys and engage in zoomies to burn off extra energy, but in the winter months you may need to entice them to play using feather rod toys and other cat-safe, pet parent-powered games.
How your bird, reptile or small animal reacts to colder temperatures and shorter days will depend a lot on their species and the environment where they naturally thrive.
Reptiles and snakes will tend to be more lethargic during the winter months, due to their natural brumation cycles. Keep a close watch on the temperature in your pet’s enclosure to ensure they’re nice and cozy. Many types of small mammals will sleep long hours for similar reasons, though they should receive stimulation and exercise to stay healthy. Using a wheel or ball can get them out of their nest and keep them engaged and active.
Birds from tropical climates will need to be kept warm throughout winter—more than 65°F in most cases—so it’s advisable to move cages away from doors and windows where they could be exposed to icy drafts. Be consistent about covering their cage at night. Also, don’t put the cage too close to heating elements—you can overheat them or even cause burns. To keep your bird active, consider letting them out of the cage to explore inside the house, where they can be kept warm and safe while they stretch their wings. Or try adding new toys or treats to keep them interested.
If you have questions about your pet’s health, don’t wait and worry. Nationwide VetHelpline® licensed veterinary professionals are available to talk 24/7 about specific health concerns or general advice on the best frequency and duration for your pet's activity based on their age, breed and fitness level.
Download the VetHelpline app from the App Store or Google Play—it’s included with every Nationwide pet insurance policy!
Updated February 2025.
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new pet
