Brought to you by Maxi Zoo.

It’s difficult to resist those puppy dog eyes.

That’s why dog owners are more likely to get the recommended amount of daily exercise… and reap the benefits, especially during the lockdown.

As it turns out, all those laps of the park and snuffling strolls around the local lamp posts really add up; a recent study showed that dog owners took an average of 200 minutes more exercise per week than non-dog owners.

Just like us, dogs get downcast in winter

Spending time outdoors is a vital part of keeping spirits up during the lockdown, but it’s just as important for furry family members as it is for humans. Just like us, dogs need fresh air and light to beat bad moods and lethargy.

According to the experts at Maxi Zoo, Ireland’s largest pet retailer, too much nap time can be bad for your pet.

“Dogs and cats spend a lot of their time sleeping, but staying in all day and sleeping can really affect their personality,” said Maxi Zoo Midleton manager Kieran Mangan.

“We recommend regular walks and daily playtime to solve or prevent behavioural problems.”

“Scientists believe that animals can suffer from seasonal depression too. Less natural light causes hormonal changes, and that can put anyone in a bad mood! Animals generally display behavioural changes, become lethargic and do not seem to be as happy as in summer.”

If the kids have been making a strong case for a new canine addition to the family, making the decision to adopt a dog could even give your gang a health boost; according to the University of Liverpool study, kids who live in households where there are dogs spent at least 100 minutes per week walking and a further 20o minutes playing with their pet, meaning they tend to be significantly more active than children who don’t have dogs to bounce around the garden with.

Ask the experts at Maxi Zoo 

If you need some advice on keeping your pet active, happy and healthy during the lockdown, Maxi Zoo’s in-store pet experts are always on-hand to help. When it comes to winter walks, there are some things you need to remember.

“Salt on the roads and pavements can be so harsh on paws that they begin to hurt.” said Maxi Zoo’s Ballincollig store manager Mark O’Donnell.

“If you carefully cut the hair between the paw pads this can help prevent the ice and snow from getting caught there. Rub paw cream into the callused paws for added protection against salt.”

When you come home you should wipe off your doggie’s paw pads with a warm, wet towel.

Spend and Save with Yay Cork and Maxi Zoo!

Maxi Zoo is offering Yay Cork readers an exclusive ‘Spend and Save’ voucher to use in their Ballincollig and Midleton stores. Simply show this page at the till to get €5 off when you spend €30*.

*T&Cs: The discount code can only be used once per transaction.

According to the guidelines, travel for pet essentials is permitted and pets are welcome in-store too so you can always stop by your local Maxi Zoo store during your daily dog walk. With more than 8,000 products to choose from, all Maxi Zoo stores remain open during Level 5 restrictions, including the Cork stores in Ballincollig (located behind the cinema) and Midleton (across from Tesco). For more information, visit maxizoo.ie.