Caring For Your Pet During Winter

Your pet may not bite, but the cold of winter certainly does. Wintertime brings with it a whole host of considerations when it comes to your pet that you’ll need to bear in mind. Here, we’ll detail just a few of the key things you need to think about when caring for your pet during the winter months.

pet

Grooming

Adequate grooming is essential for your pet. An animal that isn’t groomed properly will not be able to stay as warm as their groomed peers. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, it is even more important that your pet is thoroughly groomed to receive the full benefits of their naturally insulating fur.

Safety on Winter Walks

The longer nights of winter mean that visibility is significantly reduced at times when most people walk their dogs – in the mornings and evenings. As such, you need to take extra care to ensure both you and your pet are safe on your walks. Purchase or take your torch out with you on walks so you can see where you’re going and can keep your pet close. Lighting your way, you can spot patches of frost and any bumps in the road that could cause you or your pet harm.

Consider the Temperature!

Because your dog can’t tell you that they’re cold, you’ll have to keep a close eye on the temperature and look to see whether or not your dog is shivering. If it is near or below freezing, your dog may need a winter jacket to keep them warm.

Likewise, if you have a cat that you regularly let out, ensure that they are back in the house before heading out. If you have a cat-flap installed this isn’t so much of a problem, but if you don’t then you need to ensure they can get back in if they’re cold.

Watch out for Winter Toxins

Dogs and other pets are inquisitive animals, always looking to explore their environment and sniff out any new smells and find out what they are. Unfortunately, this can lead to some sticky situations it’s better to avoid. Chemicals like antifreeze and also grit can prove harmful if consumed, so keep an eye on your pet to ensure they don’t swallow any!

Never Leave Your Pet Unattended in the Car

This is something you should avoid doing throughout the year anyway, but most people only hear about tragedy striking when pet dogs die from overheating in the summer. However, thinking that your pet is safe to be left in the car during the winter months is a fallacy. Instead of the heat affecting your pet, the cold will bite just as hard and could equally prove fatal. So, if you take your pet on a journey with you, never leave them in the car unattended for extended periods of time.

 

Jaycliffe Pets offer quality kennels, cattery, and grooming services to the Rotherham area and beyond. To discuss booking your dog into our kennels for a holiday of its own while you jet off this summer, or to enquire about our expert grooming services, please contact our friendly team today.