During winter, many of us will rug up under warm blankets and wear our favourite fluffy socks, but what about our pets?
Although they come with a fur coat, it’s important to remember that they can feel the chill of winter just like us and we should take steps to ensure their comfort.
How can I tell if my pet is cold?
- Shivering or curling up tight
- Refusing to walk or their pace is slowing down
- Burrowing or hiding
These are all signs your pet is trying to conserve heat.
How can I keep my pet warm?
- Coats and jumpers
- Having an extra layer such as a coat or jumper acts as extra insulation for your pet, which can preserve (or increase) their body temperature
- Bedding options
- Bedding keeps your pets away from drafts and elevated off cold surfaces which will affect your pet's temperature
- Thermal beds are self-heating and are constructed with special materials to insulate and warm your pet using its own body temperature
- Indoors vs outdoors
- If your pet is kept outdoors, you might need to re-locate their enclosure inside to ensure your pet is kept at their preferred temperature. If that isn’t an option, ensure that their kennel is kept in a sheltered position away from the prevailing wind and that it is watertight and elevated. Thermal beds placed inside a kennel are a great addition to an outside kennel
- Utilise thermometers, heaters and heat lamps for cold-blooded animals such as reptiles and fish
- Exercise and movement
- While we all want to rug up during the chilly season, it’s still important for your pet to receive physical and mental stimulation, most often gained from daily walks or playing in the backyard
- Senior care
- Colder temperatures are known to aggravate arthritis and other joint and mobility issues, particularly for older dogs
- Keep your senior pet warm and comfortable with extra bedding and physical stimulation to encourage blood circulation
