As the UK braces itself for a drop in temperature with some areas in the country expecting to plummet to -9°C, leading animal welfare charity, Battersea, issues advice to help owners keep their pets healthy and happy during the cold weather.
From finding different ways to keep your pets entertained indoors to making sure your pet’s microchip details are up to date, the following tips will help owners keep their pets as stress-free and safe as possible.
Janine Pemberthy, Canine Behaviourist and Training Manager at Battersea, said: “With the weather becoming much colder, it’s important that we do what we can for our pets to protect them against the chill this winter. Battersea has a variety of tips and tricks we can offer to owners to keep their pets safe and calm during the cold weather. From creating cosy hiding places for your pet to cuddle up in, playing games indoors to keep them entertained and making sure they are warm and dry, we have lots of tips that can help.”
Tip 1 – Check their paws
During the colder months, it’s important to check your pet’s paws and in between their toes after they’ve been outside. Salt and grit from the roads, as well as snow, can get stuck in your dog or cat’s paws which will need to be removed so that they don’t ingest it. This is especially important for long-haired cats and dogs, as they are prone to snow compacting between their toes which then turns into ice balls which can be very painful.
After being outside, check your pet’s paws and gently wipe them with a damp cloth or towel to remove any debris. It’s also important to check their paws frequently for any signs of frostbite, irritation from salt or other injuries.
Tip 2 – Entertain your pet indoors
As the weather gets colder, your pet may prefer to spend more time indoors and can be very reluctant to venture out into the cold. If this is the case, do not force them out, but make sure they are kept entertained and can still get plenty of physical and mental exercise by providing them with lots of toys and games to play.
Keeping your dog or cat active indoors will also keep them healthy and make sure they’re not overeating. If you do find that your dog is less active in the winter months, make sure you adjust the amount of food you give them accordingly to avoid weight gain. Some cats will also continue to exercise as normal but may simply eat more for extra insulation.
Tip 3 – Keep them warm and dry
While it may be cosy indoors, it is important to give your dog regular walks if it is safe to do so. When out on walks with your dog, make sure your four-legged friends are wrapped up warm by putting a dog coat on them when you go out, especially if you have a fine-coated dog.
When you get home from a walk, dry off wet and muddy dogs and make sure they have a cosy bed to return to. For cats, you can also gently dry them with a towel and make sure they have plenty of different warm and snuggly places that are draught-free to curl up in.
Keep an eye on your pets around wintery hazards at home such as roaring fires, stoves, hot radiators and candles. Never leave your pet alone around open flames and candles, and make sure wherever possible that sources of heat are well out of reach, or at a safe distance.
Tip 4 – Make sure your microchip details are up to date
It’s important to make sure your pet’s microchip is always kept up to date, but it’s especially essential during the winter months. Cold weather often brings foggy or snowy weather conditions with it, meaning that it might be harder to see your dog when letting them off lead. Cats may also wander off to find the nearest warm spot to get cosy.
If you have your pet’s microchip number but can’t remember the database, you can search for this on www.check-a-chip.co.uk
Tip 5 – Never leave pets in cars
Just as cars can become fatally hot in summer months, temperatures can drop very quickly in cold weather. Always take your dog with you rather than leaving them in the car for any length of time.
For cats, as the temperature drops they can have a habit of crawling under car bonnets and wheel arches to soak up the warmth from car engines and tyres. Make sure to tap the bonnet of your car and check around the wheels and on top of tyres before you start your engine and drive away.
For more advice on how to keep your dogs and cats safe in the winter months, please visit: https://battersea.org.uk/pet-advice
