Keeping your pets happy and healthy this winter
Here are our tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy this winter. Cats
SAD CatsAnimals can get the winter blues too. Pets tend to eat more, avoid exercise and are grumpier during the winter months.
Play with your cat each day to cheer them up. If you have a cardboard box, you can use this in many ways to entertain your furry friend, or you could even create a newspaper tunnel for your cat to play and hide in. Also, talk to and cuddle your cat, which will probably cheer you up as well if you're getting the winter blues.
Play with your cat each day to cheer them up. If you have a cardboard box, you can use this in many ways to entertain your furry friend, or you could even create a newspaper tunnel for your cat to play and hide in. Also, talk to and cuddle your cat, which will probably cheer you up as well if you're getting the winter blues.
Keeping Warm
Cats love curling up in a warm place for a nap, so make sure that they have a nice and snuggly place to sleep. We also recommend keeping your cat indoors at night time through the winter months. Being exposed to very cold temperatures for long periods is as dangerous to cats as it is to humans.
It's a good idea to check your cat flap regularly as they can freeze up, meaning your cat will be out in the cold.
Remember to protect your cat from open fireplaces, wood stoves and heaters. Also, before you start your car, remember to check your bonnet and the wheel arches as these can be a favourite place for a cat to sleep due to the warmth from the engine.
Dogs
SAD dogs
Animals can get the winter blues too. Pets tend to eat more, avoid exercise and are grumpier during the winter months. You may not feel like going for a walk in winter, but the exercise will keep your pet happy and healthy. You and your dog should wear reflective clothing to ensure you're both visible.
Keeping warm
Let your dog's winter coat grow through so they have their natural protection against the cold. However, if you have got a puppy, or your dog is a short haired older dog, think about buying them a winter coat.
Make sure their bed is placed in a warm, safe place away from drafts. If it's really cold, you can always throw a blanket over your dogs body at night to keep them warm.
Staying safe outdoors
Always keep your dog on a lead if the weather is really bad, especially if it's windy or there's a heavy snow fall. When it snows heavily, it can be quite disorientating for dogs because it affects their sense of smell, so they may easily lose your scent and end up getting lost when out on a walk.
Keep your dogs away from ponds and lakes that are iced over. Thin ice may break under a dog's weight. Also watch out for dogs' paws becoming impacted with snow, which can cause discomfort.
One thing that dogs find extremely tasty is antifreeze, however, this is highly toxic to them so if you do spill any, make sure you clean it up immediately.
Small outdoor pets
Keep an eye on outdoor pets. Provide extra bedding and be prepared to move them into a shed or unused garage for shelter. Download the RSPCA's advice on Rabbit Winter Care Advice.
Published on Thursday 10th January 2019
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