It's almost winter again! The outside air is brisk, so it's time to curl up under a blanket inside. It's also time to think about how your furry friend will cope this winter season - is their fur really enough? Here are some tips on keeping your pet comfortable and healthy this season.

Puppies and kittens

Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. The adult coat does not develop until about 5-6 months of age, their metabolism may not always allow for adequate heat production compared to adults, and they have a larger surface area to body ratio leading to rapid heat loss. Puppies and kittens should be kept inside during winter and provided with a nice warm bed. To continue toilet training in puppies, always take them to a dry, sheltered patch, and provide extra warmth with a doggie jacket (and even booties!) if needed.
Keeping your fur baby warm
Bayer_07.15-Landing_Pages_1For pets housed outside, a warm shelter is vital. Place kennels in sheltered areas, such as a shed or along the side of the house, and cover the opening to the kennel, for example with plastic flaps, to reduce cold drafts. If possible, raise the shelter off the ground to prevent cooling, and provide thick warm bedding. For shelters in uncovered areas, check for leaks and ensure all bedding remains dry. Cats that prefer the outdoors will also benefit from a similar shelter. Provide cat flaps for cats that prefer to come and go, so they can venture outside to the toilet, to prevent them from holding on for too long! Fur coats can be kept a bit longer over winter to provide additional warmth to pets. As with puppies, some dogs, particularly short-haired breeds, will find comfort in wearing an extra layer, which not only provides warmth, but also protects their skin from the harsh drying wind. Ensure any clothing is fitted appropriately and always remove wet clothing. Most commonly, cats will not accept clothing. Completely dry animals after bathing or if they have been out in the rain, as wet fur has poor insulating properties.
Smaller pets!

Rabbits and guinea pigs have a larger surface area to body ratio, like puppies and kittens, and may be housed in rather cold locations. Where possible, move them to a shed or garage, provide extra straw bedding for warmth, and ensure their drinking water is not too cold. Exercise them regularly, to prevent stiffness, and ensure there is plentiful food supply.

Open flames and heaters

Just like humans, many pets find comfort in lying by the fire or heater to warm up. It is important to monitor pets around heating elements - always place a barrier in front of an open fire and ensure pets are not lying too close to the heater.

A warm car for a cat

During winter, cats love to curl up under the hood on the warm motor of a car, which can be fatal to the cat when the car starts up. Before starting the car, always bang on the hood or blow the horn to wake them up. If you know your cat sleeps in the hood, it is best to see them leave before starting the engine. On this note, never leave a pet in the car, even during winter. Cars can reach freezing point overnight, whilst during the day they can still rapidly heat up, leading to heat stress and possible death.

Take care with anti-freeze

Anti-freeze toxicity is less common in Australia compared to other colder parts of the world. Anti-freeze, commonly found in car radiators and windscreen washes, as well as around the house to make pipes 'winter ready', contains the toxic chemical ethylene glycol. Spills or leaks of anti-freeze pose a serious danger to pets that will readily lick up the sweet tasting liquid. Ethylene glycol damages various organs, particularly the brain and kidneys. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting and nausea, incoordination, twitching muscles, frequent urination, seizures and salivation. It only takes a very small amount of anti-freeze to cause toxicity, so ensure any spills are cleaned up immediately, keep pets out of the garage and all dogs on a leash when walking in the street. If concerned about ingestion, contact your Vet immediately for treatment.

Caring for senior pets

Older arthritic pets often suffer from joint stiffness and pain during winter. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include slow rising, particularly after a long time lying down, or a cat's reluctance to jump or groom. Senior pets may also be suffering from other diseases, such as endocrine or heart disease, making it harder to maintain their body temperature. Senior pets should be housed inside over winter, with a padded bed raised off the cold floor. Supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, started at least 6 weeks before the onset of the cold may assist in relieving joint pain. Talk to your Vet before it gets too cold about possible pain-relief and/or anti-inflammatory medication or underlying diseases that may need to be monitored and managed.
Eating and drinking
 Bayer_07.15-Landing_Pages_2Although it is cold, pets can still become dehydrated due to insufficient water intake. If water bowls are outside, they should be checked at least once daily (twice daily in colder areas) to ensure the water has not frozen over. It is also best to put water into non-metal bowls, such as double layered or thick plastic bowls, that are better insulated. If possible, keep food and water for pets inside and out of the weather. For indoor pets that become less active during winter, it is important to modify their daily intake accordingly - we don't want any pets putting on winter weight! Pets housed outdoors however will be utilising more energy to keep warm and may require more food. Maintain activity in pets through regular exercise and/or environmental enrichment such as tug-o-war ropes, food dispensing toys and cat-scratching posts.
Parasite protection

It is important to continue flea and worm protection all year round. Part of the flea lifecycle is completed in the environment - flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in dark hidden places such as between floorboards and in carpets. Although the lifecycle of fleas from egg to adult is completed more slowly in colder weather, heating up of houses maintains a perfect environment for flea development and emergence of hungry adults from pupae. And your pet provides a very yummy blood meal! Also, worm eggs can survive the cold, and animals that continue to hunt rodents and birds can become infected with worms.
Article written by Bayer Animal Health