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January Blues? How Routine Helps Dogs Thrive in Winter
The start of the year can feel a little off, with shorter days, colder weather, and post-holiday routines all contributing to the “January blues” feeling. Humans aren’t the only ones affected, as dogs notice the shift in energy and environment, too. They’re highly sensitive to changes in daylight, temperature, and household activity levels, making January a confusing time to be a dog. Plus, reduced outdoor time and a suddenly quieter household can impact their mood, energy, and behaviour. Without extra attention to structure and enrichment, even well-behaved dogs may show signs of stress or frustration. This article covers how routine can help your dog beat the January blues and thrive throughout winter. Why routine & structure matter Dogs thrive on routine as familiar patterns help reduce anxiety and make them feel safe. Even small, consistent cues throughout the day can make a big difference in helping your dog feel more at ease. For example, regular meal times, daily walks, and scheduled rest periods give dogs a sense of rhythm. This consistency also helps regulate their energy levels and prevent behavioural issues, especially in winter months when cold weather can mean shorter walks or changes in outdoor activity. The key is maintaining structure so your dog still knows what to expect each day, even if the activities themselves change. Mental stimulation in the winter months Winter weather and reduced daylight hours may mean shorter walks or changes in outdoor activity. Despite the temperature and light changes, dogs still have energy to burn, and without proper outlets, they may become restless and bored. This can lead to behavioural issues and outbursts in an effort to burn off the extra energy. Swapping longer walks for indoor play, enrichment activities, and brief outdoor outings can keep your dog mentally stimulated and physically engaged. Supplementing outdoor time with indoor activities The good news is engaging your dog’s mind can be just as tiring and rewarding as physical exercise. Mental stimulation keeps them focused, reduces stress, and helps prevent destructive behaviours. Simple activities like natural long-lasting chews, puzzle toys, scent games, and basic training exercises challenge dogs mentally. Rotating toys and chews or introducing new games keeps things interesting and prevents monotony. Even short, consistent sessions of indoor enrichment can make a noticeable difference in your dog’s winter wellbeing. Making your routine work for you & your dog Making sure your dog has a routine is important, but so are your needs and schedule. Your dog’s key activities can fit around your schedule, from work and errands to social gatherings and other commitments. The key is consistency over perfection. Even if the timing changes slightly, keeping a predictable rhythm helps dogs feel secure while also making the routine manageable for you. The idea is to remove stress for both you and your dog, not add it. So, don’t worry if your routine isn’t the same as other dog parents, what matters is that it works well for both you and your dog. Final thoughts January can be a rough month, but it doesn’t have to feel that way for our canine companions. Routine supports dogs through seasonal shifts, and a little structure can go a long way. The addition of indoor activities to supplement reduced outdoor time and finding a routine that works well for you and your dog are also key components of beating those January blues. If you’re looking for something to keep your dog happy and mentally stimulated this winter, look no further! Check out our range of natural chews and treats, which are sure to keep them wagging all winter long.
Learn moreChomp & Chew 2025 Bestsellers Round-Up
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back at some of our most popular goodies from throughout the year. Every pooch is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all treat, chew, or Chomper Box®. That’s why we offer a broad range of options, catering to every need and breed. This article covers our top five products of 2025, counting down to the product your pooches made our top seller of the year! Top five bestsellers ranking This year, five products had an extra special place in your dogs’ hearts based on order volumes to positive reviews, so let’s take a look… 5: Pizzles In fifth place is Pizzles, an absolute classic that every pooch seems to adore, with even the fussiest of pooches drooling over them. They make excellent dental chews as they’re long lasting. Plus, pizzles are high in protein, low in fat, and 100% pure meat. These air dried delights come in multiple sizes to cater to different needs and jaw strengths, ensuring all dogs above the age of 12 weeks can enjoy them. 4: Rabbit Ears Coming in fourth place is Rabbit Ears, which are beloved by dogs of all ages (8 weeks+) and sizes. They’re 100% rabbit ear, with nothing added or taken away, just gently air-dried. This makes them highly digestible, with their fur even aiding in natural de-worming while cleansing the intestinal tract. Plus, they’re high in protein, bone-free, hypoallergenic, low-odour, and beneficial for dental health, skin, coat, and digestion. As a semi-durable chew, they’re not exceedingly long-lasting but offer a nice chomping session for any pooch to enjoy. 🥉3: Training Treats Taking bronze in this ranking are our Training Treats, which are available in four varieties; lamb, turkey, rabbit, and goose. They’re a great choice for training dogs of any age, but especially suitable for young puppies (8 weeks+) in the early stages of the training process. Dogs tend to find them completely irresistible, which makes them excellent for teaching commands and positive behaviour. Plus, they’re pure meat, odourless, non-greasy, and perfectly bite-sized. 🥈2: Power Chomper Box® Our runner up of 2025 is the Power Chomper Box®, which is filled with long-lasting dog treats and chews for any serious chompers above the age of 16 weeks. They’re all natural, delicious, and air-dried, making for an ideal compilation of goodies. The options in this box are excellent for dental health, jaw strengthening, and reducing any anxiety, boredom, and frustration. With enough tasty treats to last up to four weeks, and protein sources ranging from rabbit to beef to fish and beyond, it’s no surprise this variety box secured second place. 🥇1: Puppy Chomper Box® First place for the year goes to the untouchably popular Puppy Chomper Box®! It’s filled with natural treats and chews suitable for puppies above the age of 12 weeks, and can even be customised to suit pups as young as 8 weeks. Beneficial for teething, ideal for relieving boredom and anxiety, and a great way to introduce a constructive outlet for chewing, this box is the total package. It’s designed to last approximately four weeks and provides a wide range of healthy alternatives to rawhide, helping puppies avoid harmful chews. With around 28 items per box and a wide range of protein sources for puppies to explore, it makes for hours upon hours of fun, enrichment, and mental stimulation, plus a moment of peace for exhausted pup parents. As our most popular product year on year, the Puppy Chomper Box® proves to be an unbeatable favourite among your little furballs. Final thoughts Was your dog’s favourite featured on this list, or do they have a different taste in chews to most? No matter what it is from our range that your dog loves, we want to thank you for supporting our small business. From all of us here at Chomp & Chew, we wish you and your doggies the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!
Learn more3 Signs Your Dog Is Bored + Easy Ways to Fix It
Dog boredom is more common than you might think. Even the happiest pups can get a little restless when their routine doesn’t offer enough mental or physical stimulation. Thankfully, most signs of boredom are easy to spot once you know what to look for, and even easier to fix with a few simple steps. This article covers three of the most common behaviours that signify boredom in dogs, along with easy ways to help keep them happy. 1. Destructive chewing or digging If your dog has suddenly taken an interest in chewing your belongings, shredding soft furnishing, or excavating your garden, boredom could be the root cause. Dogs naturally explore the world with their mouths, but when they don’t have enough to keep their brains busy, their innate curiosity can turn into destruction. Why it happens: Bored dogs often have excess energy they need to burn off. Chewing or digging becomes their way of finding an outlet. Easy ways to fix it: Rotate their toys to keep them interested and engaged. Offer long-lasting, natural chews to help them focus on something constructive. Add two or three short training sessions throughout the day to provide extra mental stimulation. 2. Excessive barking or attention-seeking Is your dog barking at every little sound, or constantly pawing at you for attention? While barking and need for affection can be perfectly normal, a sudden increase often points to boredom. Why it happens: When dogs don’t have enough mental stimulation, they find their own ways to fill the gap. Behaviours like barking, pawing, whining, or dropping toys in your lap are all classic signs that they’re trying to entertain themselves (and would like you to join in). Easy ways to fix it: Use puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys to keep their mind working. Try simple scent games, like hiding natural treats around the house for them to find. Add more interactive play, even if it’s just a short session of tug-of-war or fetch. 3. Pacing, restlessness, or random zoomies Another common sign of dog boredom is restless behaviour. This might look like anything from pacing around the house to struggling to settle to suddenly breaking into the zoomies out of nowhere. Why it happens: Dogs need both mental and physical stimulation to avoid boredom. When one is lacking, they can become unsettled, fidgety, or overly energetic at irregular times. Easy ways to fix it: Include daily enrichment activities like Lickimats, natural chew sessions, and simple training games. Offer tougher, longer-lasting chews that help them focus and relax. Switch up your walking routine by trying a new route or offering a slow "sniff walk" can make a big difference. Simple daily habits that help You don’t need to overhaul your whole routine to keep your dog from feeling bored. Small, consistent habits add up quickly: Keep training sessions short and fun. As little as 2-3 minutes can be enough. Mix higher-energy activities with calmer enrichment options for balance. Provide safe, natural chews and treats to help them stay occupied. Add variety to their day, whether that’s a new toy, a new walking route, or a new game. Final thoughts Boredom isn’t a sign that your dog is misbehaved, it’s just their way of saying they need a little more to do. With a few easy adjustments, you can help them feel happier, more relaxed, and content. From long-lasting chews to training games to sniff walks and beyond, there are plenty of ways to keep your pooch occupied.
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