Animals and the Adverse Weather
The winter season is upon us and it's vital for pet owners to know and understand how to care for their pet in cold temperatures. It’s not just us humans that feel the cold, our animal friends do too!
You should always take precautions to keep your pets safe and warm during the winter months. Pets that live in urban areas spend a lot of their time indoors, which means they are more susceptible to cold weather.
Dogs
Breeds with short hair such as Boxers, Whippets and Daschunds all have a very low tolerance for the cold. They should wear some form of clothing such as a jumper or coat if they are going to be outside during the winter months. Small dogs with short coats like Chihuahuas are especially vulnerable to cold weather and should be kept indoors during extremely cold weather or only taken out for short periods.
Breeds with long hair, like Spaniels or Long Coated Retrievers, can develop foot problems due to ice balls forming between their pads and toes. If these build up, it can be very painful for them. You will notice your dog will stop what they are doing and start chewing at the bottom of their feet. To help prevent snow building up you should trim the hair in your dog's feet. Salt and chemicals used to thaw the ice is hard on a dog's feet and you should make sure to wash your dog's paws once they are back indoors after their walk.
It is extremely important that you never encourage your dog onto the ice, as you never know how thick and strong it is. Every year a number of dogs fall through the ice and either drown or suffer from hypothermia, so it’s vital to take extreme care if you walk your dog near large bodies of water.
Like humans, older or sick pets are affected by cold weather more than healthy ones. Pets who suffer from arthritis will usually feel stiffer and move more slowly during winter months. Walks with an older dog should be kept short. Make sure they don’t slip on ice or snow, which will put unnecessary stress on already stiff joints.
Cats
Most cats prefer to spend the cold winter months indoors. It is, however, important to encourage them to go out to the toilet, as urine retention can lead to problems such as urinary and kidney infections. Always make sure they have access to a litter tray. Some cats do like being outside in all weathers, so ensure they have a warm place to go when they want to get out of the cold.
Birds
For passing wildlife, you may want to leave a fresh supply of water out daily, as most natural water supplies will be frozen. This will help wildlife stay hydrated during the cold weather. Birds will appreciate seed or fat balls being left out and you will get the added bonus of having many more visitors to your garden!
Rodents and Small Mammals
If pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs are kept outside during the winter months, their hutch will need to be placed in a sheltered area or the garden shed. Provide them with plenty of bedding to keep warm and also put a blanket over their hutch during the night for added warmth.
Pets that are kept indoors such as hamsters and gerbils need to be kept cosy in winter with extra bedding. This also applies to indoor rabbits and guinea pigs.
It is usually best to keep your pets indoors when it is extremely cold outside. If that is not possible just make sure they have a sheltered place they can go to get out of the cold and stay warm.
Remember – if you are feeling the cold, your pet will be too!
