Activities to Enjoy with your Dogs during Winter Season

Holidays may be over, but winter season is just warming up! (Ironic, isn’t it?) That means expect colder days in the next couple of months. As for your pet dogs, it pretty much says that they need to stay indoors for most of the time being. But just because they’re staying inside the house for quite some time, it doesn’t mean they’re off to slack the entire season by curling up on their pet throw and forget about staying fit. Because just like us, humans, dogs need to limber up as well!

Yes, you can still give him/her a quick run outside the street (mostly for morning walks and for doing their usual “business”). Other than that, it is not advisable to keep them exposed in the cool breeze of winter for too long.

To keep your dogs in the zone this winter season, here are some simple indoor activities to enjoy with your pooch!

Indoor Fetch – Now, who said “fetch” can only be played outside? Evidently, fetch can also be fun when played indoors, especially during the coldest month of the season. You don’t really need to have a large space for your furry K-9s to enjoy the game. All it takes is a relatively long hallway and a tennis ball to flex their legs. Or perhaps, move a few tables and chairs by the living area for a more spacious indoor ball game.

Stair Exercise – More rigorous cardio workout to develop your dog’s legs and stamina? Go for the stair exercise. Warm up your pup by walking him/her up and down from your stairs. Pace the level up a notch by walking a bit faster, then jog.

Indoor Tag – Your dog wants to go running? Indulge your pooch for a game of tag by sprinting all over the house. As a variation, you may put some obstacles within the way (chairs, pillows, throw pillow) to make it a bit more challenging. That way, you also get to work out on his/her navigation skills and vision.

Treadmill Exercise – If you think you don’t have enough space to accommodate a full run for your dog, and you happen to have a home gym, why not let your pooch do a few minutes of treadmill rounds? Heck, might as well join him and pull off a couple presses.

Sense Test – A relatively simple pet exercise to sharpen your dog’s senses and attention. You may use laser pointers or perhaps, play a game of hide-and-seek (hide one your dog’s favorite toys in various spots and let him/her find it) and fetch tease (while playing fetch, pretend to throw the ball and see if he/she will chase after it.)

Doga – This pet exercise seems to be getting a lot of attention from both humans and pets, because apparently, yoga can also be enjoyed by your fido. This can be a great way to stretch out your pooch’s muscles and loins, as well as to de-stress them. Also, this is one of the perfect way to utilize your pet seat cover other than a den of slack for your mutts.

Got more indoor activities on how to keep your dogs busy and fit during the winter? Feel free to leave a comment and hit us up with some ideas!

Christmas Gifts c/o Formosa Covers

Already feeling the cool breeze of December? That means Christmastime is just around the corner. And if you’re still fretting about what’s the best gift to hand over this Yuletide season for everyone, Formosa Covers will “cover” all your holiday gift needs, because that’s what we do best!

And to specify, we give you some items that we thought would be the perfect gift for each family member! Ready to gift wrappers, ribbon, scissors and adhesives!

For Dad: Vehicle Cover

Car aficionado? Or perhaps, golf enthusiast? Maybe, watersports guru? Whatever the case may be, dad can surely use a reliable vehicle cover to protect and maintain some of his leisure investments, such as sports car, golf cart, bike, ATV or snowmobile. He’ll thank your for it!

For Mom: Patio Umbrella

Because mommy likes to chill out and relax by the patio after a long day of garden sprucing and patio decorating, a brand new patio umbrella will be the perfect gift for her, so that she can easily lounge to a laid back afternoon with matching pitcher of lemonade and a garden music on the side!

For Sassy-Savvy Sister: Mobile Phone Cover

Aww, your ever busy sister, always fumbling her precious smartphone. Thank heavens for these smartphone protective cases, your sister doesn’t have to worry about another dent on her phone! And did we mention how neutral yet stylish and sleek these cases are? This is going to complement your sister’s everyday fashion statement.

For Outdoorsy Brother: Sleeping Bag

Since your brother likes to go out camping, hiking, or the occasional sleep over with friends’ cabin, why not give him the gift of comfort in the form of sleeping bag? This snuggly present the ideal present if you have a sleepyhead sibling in the house as well.

For your pet, Buster: Pet Throw

And because you don’t want your pets to feel left out this Christmas, we’ve got something in-store for your furry house fixture as well. Since winter season is slowly breezing its way through, let your pet feel the warmth by giving him a nice, comfy pet throw.

We told you, we’ve got everything you need to complete your Christmas presents. Now, you can pretty much enjoy the rest of the holidays!

Setting Up a Warm, Cozy Lounge Spot for Your Pet for the Cold Season

Just like us, humans, cats and dogs are also vulnerable to extreme cold, especially during winter season. And it is fair and just that you should give them a nice, warm spot to take refuge as the cool breeze lingers on.

Forget about taking your pets outside. And don’t even think about leaving them out in the cold. To tell you the truth, that’s not “COOL”! (Pun intended)

Better yet, go and set up a sweet spot that’s warm enough to accommodate your furry little friends this frosty season. Here are some easy tips and steps:

Prepare your pet’s indoor sanctuary

First thing to do is to prepare the necessary stuff to use in setting up a temporary shelter for your pet. This includes a pet basket furnished with a pet throw or an old quilt, toys, feeding dishes and drinking bowl. If you happen to have an outside shelter for your pet, you might also want to spruce it up in case your 4-legged companions prefer to stay outdoors for a while after a nice, short cold walk. Install proper insulation if needed. In addition, be mindful that it is still best to let your pets slack off in your humble abode for a few weeks or so – or at least until the ice melts – to keep them warm.

Spot near by the fireplace, in the garage or in the basement

Make sure to set up the “pet lounge” in an area where warmth is adequate to keep them cozy and snug. Moreover, the garage can also be a perfect spot for your dog/cat to spend the entire winter, provided that their lounge should have a safe distance away from any vehicular or tool hazards.

As for using the basement, it is suggested that before pimping your underground space, you must ensure that there’s a pet flap installed onto the door to prevent incidents of pets getting trapped downstairs.

Get them pet sweaters and jackets

Because their own fur, and even when cloaked with their favorite pet cover, is still not enough to block off the intense cold. Besides, it seems that most pet owners nowadays are fond of dressing up their k-9s and feline friends. So, might as well put something functional on them to maintain and regulate their body temperature. Additionally, it is better for your pets to wear booties to protect their paws from snow and salt when taking a walk.

Keep the drapes open during daytime

Get the most out of the daytime by keeping the drapes and window curtains open, especially when there’s enough sunlight to fight off frigid winter gust. For most house pets, it is quite automatic for them to follow the sun’s path by the window, so it is also advised to set up your pet’s lounge anywhere near glassed hole.

Finally, make sure to always keep an eye on your cuddly pets, as they tend to become uneasy, especially if it’s their first time to stay indoors for a stretched amount of time. Check their temperature regularly and yes, an occasional belly rub helps a lot in giving your pets comfort.

Is Your Firepit Ready for the Cold Season?

Cold season is fast approaching. And as early as today, some of us are already feeling the chilly weather. Perhaps, this is the perfect time to do some maintenance checkup and break-in your outdoor fireplace/fire pit for the coming days ahead.

So before getting all too excited about spending the nightfall in your patio, burning wood while downing a six-pack, here are some things you might want to consider doing to make sure your fire pit and/or outdoor fireplace is ready to be of service for the cold season.

‘tis the time of the year to ready your patio fire pit for the coming cold days

1. Clean off burnt residue from the fire pit – It is a given that fire pits (virtually all fire places) are prone to being dirty and/or blackened due to burnt materials and residue. That’s why it is important to clean it first before setting up your fuel and tinder. Make sure to scrape off creosote –a burnt wood byproduct that can produce burst of flame when re-ignited by fire – and other byproduct build-up that may cause potential fire risks. If you happen to use the pit for outdoor cooking as well, then it is advisable to include the cooking peripherals as well in your pit-cleaning checklist.

2. Check the fire pit for damages – A poorly-maintained fire place or a fire pit imposes potential dangers that could result to serious damages and accidents. Ergo, it is a-must to inspect the entire pit for damages such as cracked mortar and loose or gapped brick/stone for repair. Cement, lime putty or grout can be used to fix these imperfections.

This also goes with portable fire pits; metal-made pits are prone to rusting and corrosion, so it should be checked for deterioration. To repair this, you may use steel brush to remove the flakey stain patch. If some of the parts have been significantly disintegrated, you can patch this with a thin metal sheet and weld it to cover the rusting part.

3. Move your patio furniture – Just to be sure, move some of your patio furniture that may deemed prone to burnt damages in case a sudden spark of tinder lands on it. Instead, use wood chairs and tables to further avoid such accidents. To make it even safer for your precious outdoor furnishings, it is better to shield them from ashes and fumes using a trusty patio furniture cover.

4. Stockpile some fuel – And by fuel, we’re not just talking about gas or kerosene. It is basically the materials that you’ll be using to create and maintain fire. And that includes wood, coal, newspapers, briquette and of course, lighter and/or matches to start one. For those who are using wood, it is important that you should “season” the wood (dried out for 6 days). Go for hardwood like maple, hickory, oak and cherry instead of softwood, as the latter doesn’t last long.

5. Set up a safe spot for children and pets – Because your kids and beloved furry pets want to enjoy the outdoor warmth as well. That being said, you may set up a safe area –ideally a significant feet away from the fireplace – for them to stay. Place a nice, comfy outdoor mattress and a pet throw will do the job in keeping them warm and cozy.

6. Lastly, don’t forget the s’mores essentials – You’re sitting in front of the fireplace, right? So, what are you waiting for? Prepare the s’mores table and start the fire… because an outdoor fireplace wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a stick of roasted marshmallows and a piece of chocolate sandwiched between a pair of biscuits. Heck, might as well get the hotdogs too!