After the holidays, a lot of us feel the same way: the routine is off, the treats were plentiful, and the motivation to move around isn’t exactly at an all-time high. Dogs experience a version of this, too. Maybe walks were shorter during busy weeks, visitors disrupted sleep, or your pup enjoyed a few extra “just this once” snacks. Then January arrives with cooler mornings and earlier sunsets, especially in Katy, Texas, and it’s easy for activity to keep sliding.
The good news is you don’t need an intense fitness plan to get things back on track. A “post-holiday reset” can be simple, gentle, and even fun. With consistent movement and a little mental enrichment, most dogs bounce back quickly, often with better behavior, better sleep, and healthier weight. If you’re not sure where to start, Circle B Veterinary Hospital can help you tailor a plan based on your dog’s age, weight, and joint health.
When dogs don’t get enough exercise, it doesn’t just affect their waistline. Movement supports joint lubrication, muscle strength, digestion, heart health, and stress relief. It also gives your dog an outlet for energy, which can reduce common “boredom behaviors” like barking, chewing, counter-surfing, or restlessness at night.
Cooler weather can actually be a positive; many dogs are more comfortable being active when it isn’t hot and humid. The challenge is consistency. Shorter days and cold fronts can make it tempting to skip walks, but a few smart adjustments can help your dog stay active without you (or your dog) feeling miserable.
Before you add new activities, set up the basics. Pick a daily time that’s most doable, maybe late morning after the chill eases, or early afternoon when the sun is out. Consistency matters more than duration in the beginning. A reliable 15–20 minute walk most days is often better than one long weekend adventure followed by five sedentary days.
It’s also worth pairing activity with a quick reset on food habits. If treats increased during the holidays, scale back gradually so your dog doesn’t feel deprived. Many dogs do great when you swap some treats for part of their regular kibble, especially during training games.
If your dog gained noticeable weight, or if you’re unsure what a healthy target looks like, a weight check and wellness exam can be a great January move. Your veterinary team can help you set a realistic goal that’s safe and sustainable.
You don’t have to rely on long outdoor walks alone. A mix of outdoor movement and indoor enrichment is often the most realistic winter plan, especially during unpredictable Texas weather swings. Here are a few easy options you can rotate through:
If your dog is older, brachycephalic (short-nosed), or has known joint concerns, choose lower-impact options like sniff walks, gentle training, or slow indoor games. For higher-energy dogs, you can increase difficulty by adding short intervals, like 30 seconds of faster walking followed by a minute of slow walking.
Even in Katy, chilly weather can affect your dog’s comfort, especially seniors and dogs with arthritis. Stiffness can show up as slower rising, hesitation on stairs, or a shortened stride at the start of a walk. Warming up with a few minutes of gentle walking before more intense play can help, as can keeping sessions shorter but more frequent.
Pay attention to paws too. Cold, wet grass and rough sidewalks can dry paw pads, and some dogs will start licking their feet more in winter. Wiping paws after walks and using a pet-safe balm can reduce irritation. And if your dog is itching more than usual, remember that winter skin issues can flare even when it’s not “allergy season.”
Also, winter doesn’t automatically mean parasite-free. Fleas can still be an issue in Texas, and year-round prevention is usually the safest approach. If you’re not sure what your dog should be on, your veterinary team can guide you based on lifestyle and risk.
A post-holiday reset is the perfect time to check in with your vet, especially if you’re noticing anything that makes exercise harder or less enjoyable for your dog. Consider scheduling a visit if your dog is coughing on walks, limping, struggling to get comfortable, gaining weight despite normal meals, or itching/licking constantly. A wellness exam can help you rule out pain, ear issues, skin infections, or other underlying problems that can make activity feel unpleasant.
At Circle B Veterinary Hospital, we can help you build an activity plan that fits your dog’s body and your family’s schedule, whether that means weight management support, joint comfort strategies, nutrition guidance, or simply confirming that your dog is healthy enough to increase exercise.
Your dog doesn’t need a perfect routine, just a steady one. A few weeks of consistent movement, smarter treat habits, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities can make a noticeable difference in energy, behavior, and overall health. And because winter in Katy, Texas, is often “chilly but doable,” January and February can be a great time to rebuild healthy habits before the heat returns. If you’d like help creating a post-holiday plan or you have concerns about your dog’s weight, mobility, skin, or endurance, Circle B Veterinary Hospital is here for you. Give us a call to schedule a wellness visit, and let’s set your pup up for a happier, healthier year, one comfortable step at a time.