Winter care tips

A seasonal check-up for aches and pains

Consider a winter health check-up to ensure your pet is at their best for the cooler months ahead. Just like humans, dogs and cats can be susceptible to coughs and colds. Some dogs could be prone to airway disease (dynamic airway disease/bronchitis), while cats can be prone to feline asthma (allergic airway disease).

Joint pain and arthritis can be another winter ailment for family pets. Arthritis is painful and this can affect their agility and enjoyment of life. If your dog or cat is not as active as usual, if they seem a bit stiff or avoid stairs, jumping onto surfaces or are limping they may have arthritis. We can help relieve their stiffness or pain, please book in a consultation with your local Animates Vetcare clinic. 

During the cooler, wetter months, your dog’s or cat’s grooming is important to maintain. It’s easy to become less vigilant, but a wintry outdoor environment can see your pet exposed more frequently to mud, puddles, wet grass and bushes. This can make them prone to knots, matting and possible grass seeds stuck in skin or hair (most commonly in paws, under the tail, ears, armpits or the groin region). So, if you have a regular routine of brushing, combing or washing your four-legged friend, keep that up, placing an emphasis on helping them to get dry and warm as quickly as possible. If washing your dog, aim for once every 1-2 weeks, use a gentle, soap-free pet shampoo and dry them off quickly with a warm towel. Always use warm water when bathing to ensure your pet’s comfort.

With long haired breeds, pay particular attention to their undercarriage and other areas that may attract seeds or matting. Even though having a full winter coat is nice, consider clipping, shaving or tidying up your long-haired dog or cat, so their grooming is easier to maintain. Don’t forget to trim their nails in wintertime too. With a long-haired pet, you may not see their nails often, so be sure to check that they are not too long. Some dogs have dew claws which is a nail located on the inside of their leg, these can grow long because they are not naturally worn down. If your pet’s nails are long, please book in for a nail clip at your local Animates grooming salon.

Humans often have a favourite coat or protective jacket. How about your littlest family member? Dogs, even breeds with long coats, will feel the cold in winter and we recommend providing a waterproof coat, vest, flannel jacket to keep them warm.

Hi-vis leads, collars or jackets are great for low light evening walks. There are so many options in the functional fashion space now for dogs (and cats), so make sure they rug up for their winter strolls. If you have a short haired dog or cat, or even a hairless breed such as a Chinese Crested dog, or a cat with a sparse coat such as a Cornish Rex, they may feel the cold even more as they don’t have that extra layer of natural protection.

Despite their fur coats, our pets aren’t equipped to be out in the cold winter temperatures for prolonged periods. Adequate warmth and shelter are essential for keeping our pets happy and healthy during cold weather. 

Keep your pet’s bedding warm, clean and dry, protected from the elements and draughty doorways. If your pet lives outdoors, make sure their shelter is well insulated, waterproof and windproof and their bedding is always warm and dry. Consider moving them to a warmer shelter or keeping them indoors for the coldest months. In severe weather or storms, bring your pets inside for their safety.

During the colder nights, your pet will need an extra snug place they can curl up and stay warm. Cats in particular love igloo beds, where they can hide and feel secure. To provide additional warmth, heat pads are an excellent choice for both cats and dogs. If you have a senior dog, consider upgrading to an orthopaedic dog bed to help alleviate pressure on your pet’s joints and ease discomfort.

In winter, it’s critical to watch your pet’s weight with complete and balanced nutrition and a healthy exercise regime. The days are shorter and exercise may not be a priority, so it’s easy for your dog to get a little lazy and move less (just like us!). However, as the body tries to warm itself, it needs more energy and so your pet’s food intake may actually increase to keep warm in chilly temperatures. This combination could translate into unhealthy weight gain. Balance your pet’s food intake, energy needs and exercise.

Consult your vet if you’re not sure of how to keep your pet’s nutritional needs covered without them gaining weight. Obesity in pets is a serious health issue and often starts in winter.

Watch your pet closely, help them eat well and stay active. Talk to your local Animates Vetcare Vets if you have any concerns about your pet’s health.

Exercise is vital for your pet's mental and physical wellness, no matter what the season. Here’s some tips for exercising your pet in winter:

• Use a reflective collar and lead when exercising your dog in the dark or low light settings.
• On especially chilly days, consider putting on a dog coat before heading out and making sure they have insulated bedding to curl up on when they return home.
• Remember, if you’re cold, then your dog is probably cold. Take care around water – not all dogs are natural swimmers and can be weighed down by waterlogging of their coat, and keep in mind that pets are most at risk when they are both cold and wet, or exposed to wind chill.
• Puppies and kittens have less fat, fur and insulation on their bodies, and many older pets suffer from arthritis, which is exacerbated by cold temperatures. Consider whether to postpone your adventure outdoors if the weather is especially cold! 

When it’s too cold to go outside, you’ll need to make sure you have some indoor activities to keep your pet happy and healthy. Some fun enrichment products to try at home include puzzle toys, treat dispensing balls, Lickimats, interactive feeders, as well as getting creative with DIY enrichment games and activities! For inspiration on how to entertain and exercise your pet indoors, check out our articles on dog winter boredom busters, dog enrichment and cat boredom busters.

The good news in wintertime!

There is some good seasonal news for dogs and cats in the cooler months! They tend to have less skin or hair problems like rashes, and less exposure to ticks and other parasites (although they may still have fleas and worms). Your heat-seeking cat will probably give you more lap time and love too, and your loyal dog will want to share the couch with you, so there can be plenty of family bonding indoors at this time.

At Animates Vetcare, nothing is more important than the health and wellbeing of your four-legged friend. If you have any questions about keeping your pets happy and healthy during winter, book an appointment at your local Animates Vetcare clinic.