How to care for your pet in winter

Does your pet love it when the weather turns chilly or would they rather snuggle up with you on the sofa? Whatever their preference they’ll need to be well protected when they do venture outside. This handy guide will give you some top tips on caring for your cat or dog this winter and keep them safe and warm, whatever the weather.

One of the best things you can do to keep your pet protected all year round is to invest in insurance for your pet. The award-winning insurance plans from Purely Pets are packed with benefits. Give us a call today to find out more.

10 ways to protect your dog this winter

1. Keep them well wrapped up

Keeping your dog well exercised is just as necessary in the winter months as it is in summer. But if it looks cold enough for you to wear a coat then it might be worth getting them one, too.

While some dogs already have deep, thick fur to protect them, fine-coated dogs like Greyhounds, Dobermanns or Staffordshire Bull Terriers don’t. A suitable coat should keep them warm on cold winter walks.

2. Check their paws regularly

A winter walk can play havoc with your pooch’s paws so you need to regularly check and dry them after they've been outside.

If you have a long-haired dog with particularly furry feet then trim the fur to prevent balls of ice from building up between their toes – after all, icey paws can soon get very painful. Also, when it gets icy, look out for salt and grit from roads and pavements.

This can easily get lodged between their toes and cause discomfort, too. Indeed, some salt can even burn your dog’s pads and could potentially be toxic if licked off during grooming.

So try to give their feet a quick wash when you get home. Perhaps also consider getting a set of dog booties for when the cold really sets in.

3. Keep them warm and dry

Dogs who’ve got wet and muddy on a walk may look like they’ve had the time of their lives but they can soon become unwell if you don’t dry them off.

A dog with a dirty coat won’t be properly insulated from the cold so make sure to keep them well-groomed so they feel the benefit when outside. Also, think about where they sleep. Put their bed in a warm spot away from any cold draughts and off the cold floor.

A warm blanket is a good idea to make a really snug environment for their naps. And if you’ve got an older dog with stiff joints then consider investing in a heated pet bed – doggy heaven!

4. Help them stay active indoors

Sometimes your faithful friend just won’t be up for venturing outside on their usual walkies. But that’s fine, everyone deserves a duvet day once in a while. However, while you shouldn’t force them outside, they still need a bit of exercise and entertainment at home.

If you haven’t already, invest in some dog toys for added enrichment while stuck indoors. It’ll be fun and still provide you with some valuable bonding time when the days are dark and gloomy. If you are stuck for ideas then Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has some great brain games for dogs you can try out together.

5. Limit outdoor time

No matter how much your playful pup loves to spend their days outside, when the weather gets frosty it’s always good to keep an eye on the clock.

After all pets can get hypothermia if they become too cold and can’t warm up – their fur will only protect them from so much cold weather.

Watch out for shivering, paleness, low energy, bad coordination and even coma. Hypothermia is classed as an emergency so you should seek urgent veterinary advice.

Having the best pet insurance in place means you can get help whatever the time of year.

6. Stay hydrated and don’t overfeed

Just like in summer, dogs can easily get dehydrated so make sure they’ve always got access to plenty of clean, unfrozen water. In terms of feeding, dogs can become less active in winter so you might need to adjust the amount of food to stop them piling on the pounds.

And remember with all the human food on offer at Christmas time it can be tempting to give them a bit of what you’re having.

Unfortunately, this could easily give them an upset stomach while turkey bones could even choke them. Put the tin of Quality Street safely out of the way, too, as chocolate can be toxic to dogs.

Pet insurance policies with Purely Pets also provide cover for special diets and complementary treatment for your dog.

7. Good winter walkies behaviour

Both fog and snow as well as other winter weather conditions can really impact on visibility during your daily walkies.

If you like to let them off the lead so they can really enjoy the outdoor benefits, then make sure they are well-behaved. If your dog doesn’t come when you call then they can easily get lost in poor weather.

Also, if their microchip details are not up to date then you might not be contactable if an emergency happens. Pet insurance can help cover the costs of any emergency care.

8. Enjoy the sunshine

Sunshine can be a rare sight as the nights get longer through winter and the weather takes a turn for the worse. So, if you see the sun poke out from behind the clouds grab their lead and get outside.

It’s great to have fun in the sun while you both can and you’ll feel both happier and healthier for it! If you do go out when it’s darker then attach a small light to their collar so they can always be spotted.

9. Don’t leave them unattended in a car

It isn’t just during the summer that you shouldn’t leave your dog alone in a car. Temperatures can drop very quickly in cold weather so it’s always best to take your dog with you rather than leaving them alone in a freezing vehicle.

10. Steer clear of frozen lakes

A frozen pond or lake can appear very inviting to an intrepid four-legged adventurer but it’s really impossible to tell how secure the surface is. So, keep them on a lead when walking in such places.