Wintry Warmers for Pet Families
Winter Pet Care Tips
Winter has definitely arrived in Melbourne, so it's important to ensure our pets are comfortable, healthy, and safe from the rigours of the season. Here are Evervet’s essential tips to ensure your pet thrives during the cooler months:
Cold Weather Safety
Recognising Cold Stress: Pets feel the cold just like we do. Look for signs like shivering, reluctance to move or obvious warmth seeking behaviour. If your pet seems reluctant to go outside or is trembling, they may be too cold. Pets with medical conditions such as Hypothyroidism or Arthritis often have reduced tolerance for cold weather, so notify us if your pet is struggling as we may need to investigate.
Keeping Pets Warm: Ensure all pets have a warm, dry place to sleep, away from drafts. Invest in a cozy bed. For pets with thin fur, lean body condition or small breeds, consider using pet sweaters or jackets during walks in cold weather.
Limiting Outdoor Time: While pets still need exercise, limit their time outside during extreme cold. Short, frequent walks are better than long periods outside. Monitor your pet’s behavior and bring them in if they show signs of being too cold.
Winter Nutrition
Diet Adjustments: Consult our vets and nurses to determine if you should make seasonal adjustments to your pet’s diet. Avoid overfeeding if your pet is less active over winter, as weight gain can be a common spring finding!
Hydration: Ensure fresh water is always available. Pets can become dehydrated in artificially heated indoor environments in winter, just like they can in summer.
Mobility Supplements: Cold weather can exacerbate joint issues in pets, especially older animals. Supplements like 4 Cyte and Green-Lipped Mussel Extract can support joint health. Consult one of our vets before starting any new supplements, there are lots available, but not all are necessarily proven or beneficial.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Indoor Activities: When it's too cold for long outdoor sessions, keep your pet active indoors. Use toys, play fetch, or teach new tricks to provide mental and physical exercise.
Puzzle Toys: Invest in puzzle toys, snuffle mats or treat-dispensing toys to keep your pet mentally stimulated. These can prevent boredom and problem behaviours.
Winter Toxins
Common Hazards: Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is highly toxic to pets. Clean up any spills immediately and store chemicals out of reach. Rodenticides and insecticides used more in winter can also pose a threat.
Burns: Be cautious with open fires and heaters as tails don’t always know where they’re wagging! Make sure hearths and heaters are safely guarded when pets are around to avoid potentially serious burn injuries (not to mention the smell of singed whiskers).
Senior Pet Care
Winter Wellness: Making sure older our pets hit the ground running (or at least walking briskly) is never more important than when we enter the winter months. Evervet’s Senior Wellness Program is a fantastic way for families to ensure pets aged eight and older are comfortable, healthy and thriving. Talk to one of our friendly team or check out more info here.
Special Considerations: Older pets may struggle more with the cold. Arthritis and other joint issues can be aggravated by lower temperatures. Ensure you provide extra bedding and consider warming them. Always ensure your pet is able to independently move themselves away from hot water bottles or other heating devices to prevent overheating.
Joint Health: Regular, gentle exercise helps keep joints supple. Consult us for pain management options if your pet shows any signs of discomfort.
Home Comfort: Make sure your home environment is warm and comfortable. Use mobility aids, ramps or steps to help older pets access beds or couches without straining their joints or your back.
Winter Grooming
Regular Grooming: Continue regular grooming to prevent matting. With seasonally thicker coats in some breeds, extra brushing can help to remove loose fur.
Keeping Fur Dry: After walks in wet weather, dry your pet thoroughly. Moisture trapped in fur can cause skin issues and exacerbate heat loss.