As the cold weather drives us and our pups back indoors, putting on a few extra pounds of padding isn’t hard for us to do. With a decrease in activity, it can be very hard for you and your pup to stay in shape, and just a few extra pounds on your dog could be detrimental to his health. The American Kennel Club offers the following tips to help prevent seasonal weight gain in your dog this year:

• Set a benchmark — It’s important to know your dog’s weight going into the season so you can monitor any gains throughout the winter and actively manage any changes.

• Portion control — It is important to make sure to avoid giving table scraps to your dog, even during festive times, because people-food is largely unhealthy and even dangerous for dogs. Maintain your dog’s normal feeding routine unless you witness an uptick in their weight to which you should respond with appropriate adjustments. You can try giving your pups a quarter cup less and see how they respond. One trick you can try is replacing the missing food with canned string beans for a couple of weeks before resuming normal feedings.

• Treat treats like treats — Our pups are very cute and we love making them happy, and all too often it’s through their tummies. But treats can be extremely calorie-laden, and with your pup’s exercise limited, an extra treat here or there can translate to extra pounds.

Try to cut back on treats during the winter season and give a few extra belly rubs instead. You can also try replacing boxed treats with crunchy vegetables like carrots.