Seasonal Pet Care Tips: Keeping Your Pet Healthy Through the Winter

With the nights drawing in and a nip in the air, winter is right around the corner. We know that bad weather, loud indoor festivities, and seasonal illnesses can all have a real impact on our furry friends. So, we’re going to explore some of these common winter challenges, as well as tips on how to keep your cat or dog safe and happy.

Bad weather

Falling temperatures and wind, rain, and snow can cause problems for our pets. Some cats and dogs (and owners!) understandably become reluctant to go outside at this time of year. For your pets, this generally means a reduction in physical activity and an increased risk of boredom. This could lead to problems such as weight gain and an increase in undesirable behaviours.

Certain breeds are also more susceptible to feeling the chill than others, such as those without thick fur coats, as well as very old or very young animals, and thin animals with little fat insulation.

What can you do to help?

  • A good, easy-to-clean dog jacket can make walks much more pleasant for pups that are at risk of feeling the cold. Just make sure that it fits well and they can move comfortably in it – think function over style. You may also want to consider an extra layer indoors for some pets, too, especially if your house gets particularly chilly. Hairless cats and dogs may benefit from a jumper in the winter months.
  • Rinse and towel-dry paws when you get home. This will remove any road salt, de-icer, and mud from your dog’s feet. Balls of snow can also get tangled up in hairy paws and feathery legs, causing discomfort.
  • Invest in some wet-weather gear – for you! Dogs still need walking, even in the rain! Invest in a decent waterproof coat and trousers, and think about fluffy socks or hand warmers too. This will make your winter walks much more pleasurable – and therefore more sustainable.
  • If the weather is really poor and your pets are spending more time indoors, it is important to keep them active and busy. Think about puzzle toys and snuffle mats, or even setting up a few scavenger hunt games. Now is a good time to work on a few training tricks, too, which will help to keep their brains ticking over.
  • Remember to take care with heat sources as temperatures dip. Fireplaces are a cosy feature in many homes, but they are not without risk. Make sure you have a fire guard to keep your pet at a safe distance. Thermal burns can also occur if they lean against storage heaters or oil radiators, so don’t leave these on when your pet is unattended.

Dark nights

Dark nights and mornings can mean an increase in road traffic accidents at this time of year. Keep you and your dog safe by:

  • Wearing high-visibility clothing items
  • Carrying a torch
  • Keeping your dog on a lead near roads
  • Stay alert, headphones and scrolling on your mobile can distract from what’s going on around you

You may also want to consider giving your cat a high visibility collar or keeping them in at nighttime.

Water safety

It’s recommended to keep your dog on a lead when walking near a frozen lake or pond, as they could accidentally break the ice and fall through. This can cause shock, with hypothermia being another serious consequence. Heavy rainfall can also make their usual paddling spots much deeper than normal and increase the strength of any currents, which could put your pet at risk from drowning.

Fireworks

Bonfire night and New Year’s Eve are real problems for many pets and their owners. We know that noise phobia can be very distressing for all concerned, with affected pets often showing the following signs:

  • Hiding away
  • Increased vocalisation (whining or barking)
  • Pacing
  • Panting
  • Drooling excessively
  • Digging or chewing things
  • Toileting inappropriately

Sound desensitisation training from an early age is recommended for all pets, though it can be helpful in older dogs too. This involves playing fireworks sounds at very low levels and gradually increasing the volume over time as they get comfortable with the noises. It’s best started well ahead of an actual fireworks event. You can also help your pet by:

  • Keeping them indoors while fireworks are being let off
  • Closing curtains and windows
  • Playing some gentle background noise, like the TV or radio
  • Making them a den to hide in, which contains their favourite toys and snacks (set this up in advance so they have time to explore it before fireworks start)
  • Using calming products like pheromone diffusers and anti-anxiety supplements
  • Talking to us about prescription medication options

Seasonal health issues

There are some health issues that we have become accustomed to seeing during the Autumn and Winter months. These include:

  • Joint pain – The cold weather can make sore joints even stiffer. If you pet is showing signs of mobility issues such as lameness, difficulty jumping, sleeping more, stiffness or behavioural changes, then speak to us for advice.
  • Hypothermia and frost bite – If your pet is outside in very cold weather for prolonged periods, then hypothermia or frostbite could occur. Try to limit the time spent outdoors during cold snaps, put an extra cosy layer on pets that need it, and think about dog booties to protect paws.
  • Toxicity – Some wild mushrooms found growing during Autumn can cause serious illness if accidentally ingested. Acorns are also toxic as they contain large amounts of tannic acid, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, and even kidney disease.

Antifreeze toxicity can be a real issue, especially for cats that walk in puddles of spilt antifreeze and then groom themselves. Some people also put antifreeze in water features, which an unsuspecting cat might drink from.  Never leave antifreeze lying around and clear up spills promptly to avoid accidental poisoning.

  • Foreign bodies – Conkers could cause an obstruction in your pet’s digestive system if swallowed. Halloween and Christmas decorations can also prove irresistible for inquisitive pets. An obstruction could cause vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, abdominal pain, and collapse. Emergency surgery may be required to retrieve the item.
  • Lungworm – Slugs and snails are found in large numbers during the Autumn months. These can carry lungworm, a parasite with potentially devastating consequences. The parasite can enter our pet’s system through licking an infected slug’s slimy trail (think of food bowls or toys left outside) or by accidental ingestion of the slug itself. Lungworm can cause coughing and blood clotting issues, and in some cases can be fatal.

Thankfully, we can protect against lungworm through regular prescription parasite products.

  • Fleas and ticks – These parasites can be seen all year round, thanks to mild weather spells and central heating. As well as being a nuisance, ticks can cause illness, including Lyme disease. Speak to our team to discuss the best parasite prevention for your pet.
  • Alabama rot – More research is needed, but it’s thought that Alabama rot (CRGV) can be picked up on wet, muddy walks. Signs include skin sores or ulcers on the paws, and affected dogs can develop kidney failure. Cleaning your pets’ paws after a walk could help to prevent this condition.

Christmas hazards for pets

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… or is it? While we don’t want to put a downer on your upcoming festive fun, there are a few things to be wary of:

  • Decorations – If accidentally ingested, Christmas decorations could cause a blockage in your pet’s digestive system. Shattered glass ornaments could cut a pet’s paws, and dangling fairy lights could accidentally cause electrocution if chewed. Just take some sensible precautions like placing ornaments out of reach and restricting your pet’s access to them.
  • Candles and scented oils – Open flames and scented candles add an extra cosy Christmas feel. Just keep pets well away, as hot wax and fur don’t mix! Plus, go steady on the essential oils; these can irritate pet’s airways, and they could be toxic if accidentally ingested.
  • Christmas treats – Chocolate toxicity is dose dependent, with smaller dogs being more susceptible than larger ones, and dark chocolate the most dangerous type. Other sweets are unhealthy, add extra calories to your pet’s diet, and could be a choking hazard. Sugar-free alternatives are no better as they may contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can have serious toxic side effects to dogs. So, keep wrapped up Christmas presents, chocolate tree decorations, and Advent calendars well out of reach!
  • Christmas dinner – Upset stomachs are a common side effect of feeding your pet leftovers, and in extreme cases, they could even trigger a painful episode of pancreatitis. If you would really like to give your pet a little treat then stick to cooked strips of lean turkey breast and a few plain, unseasoned vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or peas.
  • Parties – Parties can be a stressful event for pets. Lots of strangers knocking on the door and making noise in their home can lead to anxiety. Cats are particularly susceptible to developing issues like stress-induced cystitis over the holiday period. If you are hosting a large event, keep your pet in a quiet area of the house where they can be left undisturbed. Some pets may prefer staying with a friend or pet sitter.

And don’t forget small furries this winter too!

As temperatures drop, it is also important to keep a close eye on rabbits and guinea pigs.

Give their home a once over to make sure it is in good repair and weather-proof. Living quarters should be checked for cracks that could let in draughts, and they should be raised off the ground so that the base of their home doesn’t get damp or rotten. Check the roofing to ensure it is watertight and find some material that you can use to insulate their home with. This could be blankets or old towels, covered with a waterproof material such as a tarpaulin. Just ensure that they still get some ventilation through any wire mesh areas; these could just be covered with a loose-fitting transparent sheet of plastic.

Rabbits and guinea pigs are best kept in pairs or groups, and they will use each other’s body heat to keep warm. It’s a good idea to provide some extra bedding and consider a pet-safe heat pad inside a fleecy cover during particularly cold spells. This will be especially important if your pets live alone, or if they are very old or young.

If it is icy or snowy, then it may be best to bring them indoors. An unused garage or large shed is an ideal place to put their enclosure, ideally with a window for some natural light.

Drinking water should be checked and changed daily anyway, but during the winter this is especially important to make sure that it hasn’t frozen over.

Summary

We hope that you and your pets will have a happy and healthy winter together. However, if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s well-being, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

If your pet is unwell or you suspect they have eaten something they shouldn’t have, then call us urgently on 0131 287 2662 if it’s during opening hours and we can advise you what to do next. Outside opening hours, please contact VidiVet (via the app) for a video reply with advice from a qualified vet within just a few minutes.