Spring forward: small changes that make a big difference
Feb 26, 2026
You can feel it, can’t you? The evenings are stretching out and the birds are singing.
March is that in-between month when winter loosens its grip, but it’s not quite summer. And while your dog probably hasn’t noticed the clocks changing, they have noticed the extra light, the softer air, and that little lift in your step.
It’s the perfect time to reset... Not in a dramatic, overhaul-your-life way... but in small, steady steps that make life with your dog feel better. Let’s make the most of it.
Here’s some tips to turn lighter days into healthier ones, for both of you.
Reset your walk routine as the days get lighter
There’s something about walking when it’s still bright at 6pm that changes everything.
In winter, evening walks can feel rushed. Cold. Functional. You get out, you get it done, you get home.
Extra daylight doesn’t just make things easier logistically, it changes how a walk feels. You’re less rushed, less cautious and more present. Spring light invites you to linger.
Extra daylight means your dog gets more visual stimulation. More to sniff. More to explore. Seasonal changes spark curiosity — fresh grass, damp soil, new scents layered over familiar routes. It’s enrichment without you even trying.
And for you? Natural light works wonders to boost your mood and decompress.
You don’t need to double your distance. Just stretch one or two walks a week by ten minutes or so at a time. Take the slightly longer loop. Pause at the field instead of marching straight past. Consistency beats intensity.
Turning 20 minutes into something more
Not every walk needs to be an adventure. Sometimes the magic is in the ordinary.
A slower stroll where you let them sniff that hedge properly. Five minutes practising recall in the park. Sitting on a bench together while they watch the world go by. Taking a different street just to see what’s there.
When you stop treating walks like tasks and start seeing them as time together, they shift. They become memory-making moments, building stronger bonds... and that’s the real reward. Your dog doesn’t care about the distance; they care that you’re there.
Mud, managed properly
Spring mud is temporary. Healthy paws are long-term.
Of course, spring isn’t all golden sunsets. It’s showers, muddy paws and damp towels. That familiar “don’t you dare get on the sofa” look. But a bit of mess means you’re getting out there. And that’s worth celebrating.
A quick rinse and properly drying off after wet walks protects those paws. Check between the pads for grit and keep an eye out for redness or cracks. A little paw balm goes a long way if things are looking dry.
Quick mud-proofing wins
Keep a towel by the door
Use a washable mat for entryways
Trim excess fur between paw pads to reduce clumping
This March, on Biscuit Plus, we’re giving away a Ruff & Tumble bundle with 2 personalised drying coats (for both if you have two dogs, or give one to a dog-walking pal!), drying mitts to make the process even easier for you, and a sofa throw! To enter head to the Rewards Store in the Biscuit app.
Coat changes & grooming check-ins
As temperatures shift, so does your dog’s coat. If shedding suddenly ramps up, that’s your sign the coat is changing with the season. A few extra brushing sessions each week help shift that winter undercoat before it turns into tumbleweeds across your living room, or turns into little matts. A quick weekly grooming check-in keeps small issues from becoming bigger ones.
Now’s a great time to increase brushing frequency, check ears and skin more closely and book that grooming appointment you’ve been meaning to.
Spring means parasites wake up too
Warmer weather brings out beautiful flowers, but it also brings fleas and ticks back. It’s easy to forget over winter. But staying ahead of flea, tick and worm treatments now prevents bigger headaches later. If you haven’t completed that badge yet, think of it less as a tick-box and more as a layer of protection.
Spring reset checklist:
Is flea treatment up to date?
Is worming scheduled?
Do you know when the next dose is due?
Prevention is powerful. And it’s part of being always in the picture.
A gentle winter review
Winter can slow us all down with the weather and daylight to contend with, we all move a little less and give ourselves (including our doggies) a few extra treats here and there.
No judgement. But now is a good time to run your hands over their sides and check - Can you feel a defined waist? Have you weighed them? Has their energy dipped or bounced back with the lighter evenings? Has your own routine changed?
Head to your badge cabinet and complete the latest Weight badge if you haven’t already, or compare your dog's weight now to their last check-in.
Spring is a brilliant time to reset movement gradually with slightly longer walks, a bit more play in the garden and maybe a few less treats (though you must still pay the cheese tax of course!). Small adjustments now can protect long-term health.
The quiet admin that matters
This season is also a good moment to glance at the calendar. Are vaccinations up to date? Is a booster due? When does your insurance renew?
It’s not the exciting side of dog ownership. But it’s the responsible, steady side. The part that says, “I’ve got you”... Staying on top of these isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful. It’s how you protect the life you’re building together.
Completing your vaccination badge isn’t (just) about earning something. It’s about safeguarding. Healthier days aren’t accidental, they’re intentional.
If you haven’t completed your vaccination badge yet, now’s a good nudge to do it.
Small steps. Big impact.
A spring reset doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly and doesn’t require grand gestures. It means:
One longer walk.
One grooming session.
One treatment reminder sorted.
One badge completed.
One admin task ticked off.
One moment where you stop and spend an extra five minutes together
That’s it. That’s how healthier days start.
Because life with your dog is about steady progress, shared routines, showing up, again and again. And when you look back at the end of the season, you won’t remember the mud, you’ll remember the waggy tail at the door.
You’re already doing more than you think.