Brrrrrrr.... Winter is DEFINITELY here!

With winter just around the corner, it’s important we know how to keep our pets comfortable and warm during the colder months!

Sleeping

If your pet lives/sleeps outside, you will need to make sure they have a well insulated shelter that is water and windproof.  If the shelter is raised off the ground, this will make sure moisture can’t get inside and will also make it harder for the cold to creep in!

If your pet is a house dog or cat, make sure their bed/matt is placed in a warm, safe place away from drafts, possibly even lifted off the ground (or with some extra padding if it’s on tile/concrete). 

If it’s really cold, you can always throw a blanket over your dogs body at night to keep him warm.

Food

Do you get hungrier in winter? I know I do!

It’s perfectly normal for us to feel hungrier in winter as we may burn more calories keeping ourselves warm, and this applies to our pets too!  Ask your vet what is the right amount of food for your pet.

And even though we may not seem to drink as much in winter, it’s important to make sure there is clean, fresh water available at all times.

Exercise

It’s so easy to stay in front of the warm fire on a cold winters day, rather than going for a walk with your pooch, but exercise is important at all times of the year!

For dogs and cats with short hair or a slim body (like a whippet or greyhound), a jacket for any outside time is a great idea so they don’t feel the cold as much.

If your dog gets wet or muddy when out for a walk, make sure you dry them so they’re not uncomfortable, and clean their feet and fur.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze is used in cars to stop the engine from freezing over.  It is a danger to animals anytime of the year, but more people use it in winter. It’s highly toxic to animals, and even a lick can cause illness.

Make sure you keep an eye on your dog at all times, and that cars at your house aren’t leaking antifreeze.  If you suspect your pet has had ANY antifreeze, take them straight to your local vet.

And finally, did you know your dog's normal temperature is a few degrees higher than yours? (Humans 36-37 degrees Celsius, Dogs/Cats 39 degrees Celsius).  That makes winter the perfect time of year to snuggle up - so have fun and stay warm!