Here are some simple and easy tips to help keep pets safe during Winter.
- Minimise exposure to the elements by bringing outdoor pets inside out of the cold.
Raise your pet’s bed off the floor. This is especially important for older pets with achy joints. - Provide a complete and balanced diet to keep their (like Natural Balance by Hills). If your pet is more static during winter months then assess whether they need less calories. Similarly, cold weather can mean our dogs and cats burn more calories attempting to keep warm so they may need a higher intake.
- Some pets, especially older ones, need some extra help getting their key nutrients during winter. For example, PAW Multi + Tryptophan Chews offer b vitamins and key nutrients for a healthy immune system. Please book an appointment with Pet Doctors so we can assist by advising what is best for your pet.
- Protection against fleas, ticks and heartworm is an all year must.
- Even though it is cold, grooming and washing during winter is still important to avoid smells, itchy skin and other serious skin conditions. Long-haired breeds can have their coats clipped longer for warmth and washing should be done during mid-morning so they can dry over the day. Towel-drying and brushing the coat speeds up the drying process significantly.
- Brushing daily can also keep your pet cleaner for longer, reducing the need for bathing.
- Sulphate-free shampoos are available for pets with skin conditions that worsen over the colder months. These don’t strip natural oils or irritate skin conditions.
- Speaking of skin conditions, it’s common for pets to get dry skin during Winter and even experience dandruff. This is due to the low humidity caused by heaters and can be counteracted by the use of a coat conditioner or conditioning spray.
The cold months of the year affect our fur friends just as it affects us and with some preparation you can keep your pets safe during Winter.
