As the world thaws and pets become more active, their calorie needs naturally shift. Winter often brings slower routines and richer treats, while early spring introduces new walks, longer play sessions, and more exploration. A mid-March weight check helps ensure your pet enters spring feeling healthy, energetic, and comfortable.
Start with a hands-on exam. Feel ribs, hips, and shoulders to assess body condition. You should feel ribs easily without pressing hard, and your pet should have a natural waistline when viewed from above. Cats may gain unnoticed winter weight, and dogs may lose conditioning if winter exercise dipped.
Adjust feeding gradually. Increase food slightly if your pet’s activity has risen or decrease portions if weight crept up over winter. Avoid abrupt changes—small tweaks over a week are healthier and easier to maintain. Rabbits and other small animals may require more hay intake as they groom more during shedding.
Monitor treats. Spring training and longer outings often mean more treat rewards. Balance treat frequency with your pet’s increased exercise. Use healthy, low-calorie snacks for training sessions. Chickens returning to more active foraging benefit from balanced, not excessive, treats during early spring.
Support healthy hydration. Warmer days make pets pant more and require frequent water breaks. Fresh water encourages digestion and supports metabolism. Cats may drink more as sunlight and warmth return, so refreshing water stations is helpful.
If you want weight-management foods, healthy treats, or portion-control tools, The Hungry Puppy offers options for dogs, cats, and small pets entering spring. A balanced start to the season keeps everyone feeling their best.