The Haslemere Pet Company

First posted January, 2010

Brr…Baby, it's cold outside! If you're anything like me, the second you get home you are reaching for your woolies and having a cuppa - but what about your pets?

Certain dog breeds are more affected by the cold than others, and older pets even more so. Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Aviary Birds are also feeling the cold, and don’t even talk about cats as many are simply refusing to go outside at all!

So here are a few of our top tips to keep them comfy.

Keep them indoors:

Bring Rabbit/Guinea Pig hutches inside. Move them to a garage or a shed or even better, purchase an indoor cage suitable for breed/number. If you can’t bring your Rabbit or Guinea Pigs indoors, PACK their hutches with lots of good quality dust extracted straw for insulation, and move the hutch away from draughts, wind, or falling snow.  Clear away any snow that has accumulated on top of the hutch, and also check water bottles frequently for ice. You can buy hutch covers as well as insulated water bottles which will prevent this. Also check your fence for any gaps as foxes will be prowling about looking for food too.

Dogs should not be left outside in these conditions! No excuses whatsoever!

Cats should also be kept indoors so make sure you provide them with a litter tray and a good supply of suitable cat litter.  Cats who are used to going outside don't really fancy crystal type litters, so stick to good old fashioned Fuller's Earth (which can double as grit for your path if you're really stuck).

Aviary Birds present more of a challenge, but try your best to provide some sort of suitable indoor cage.  Even if it’s a bit on the small side, it's better for them to be somewhat cramped for a short period of time then suffer from the cold.

Protect them from the elements:

If your home is a little chilly, jackets and sweaters can keep dogs and cats warm inside the house. There are loads of fleecy dog/cat beds on the market, and you can also buy microwaveable heat pads as well as thermal heat reflecting blankets for older pets who may have difficultly generating their own body heat. 

For outside use, it's better to choose a jacket that has a waterproof nylon outer covering with a warm fleecy lining rather than a fashionable “hoodie” or similar. Smaller dogs will also appreciate a jacket with a built in “belly guard” to keep their tum tums dry.

Make sure that whoever fits your dog for a coat does so properly, as an ill fitting coat is just as bad as none at all.  If you feel you can’t bring your dog into the shop, measure your dog’s back from the base of his neck to the base of his tail to get a good fit.

A thin layer of Vaseline will also help protect your dog’s paws but don’t put on too much or she may pick up even more salt and grit from the road than repel.  Booties are another option, but many dogs simply HATE them, and getting the right fit can often be a nightmare.

It goes without saying that you MUST keep a sensible head when embarking on a walk with your dog. If the weather is poor, and there is a high risk of frostbite, please stay indoors.  Your dog won’t fall to pieces if he misses a walk, and it is better to be safe and warm at home than lost (or worse) out in the cold. If you are heading out, make sure someone knows where you are going and when you will be coming back.  Keep a fully charged mobile phone with you and make sure it contains your vet’s contact details – including the practice’s emergency number.

As for Aviary Birds (if you can't bring them inside) insulate their box with lots of nest building material, and wrap the box with some old towels or fleecy blankets making sure you leave enough room for them to get in and out. Keep checking that ice and snow have not bent or twisted the aviary wire and make any repairs as soon as you spot them.  Keep a close eye on water/food bowls and remove any seed that has been exposed to moisture and keep checking for ice in the water.

“Après Ski”:

When you get back from your walk, make sure you wash your dog’s feet in a bath of tepid (not hot!) water, and dry them accordingly. You may wish to work in a bit more Vaseline to keep them soft, but again don’t go mad as your dog will probably lick it off if you use too much.  If your dog has picked up ice in his coat, use a warm towel to slowly work out the ice clumps.  Never pull or chop out the ice as this can be quite painful – not to mention wreck his coat.

Please don’t give in to the temptation to give your dog hot drinks as this will do his tummy no favours at all.  Simply make sure he has a warm, dry place to curl up that is away from draughts and close to his favorite humans!

Provide more food:

Feed your dog or cat a little more in the winter months, especially if you have been spending a lot of time outside. Don’t go crazy, as this is not the time to put weight on your pet, but a little extra kibble, or an additional .tbsp of wet food goes a long way to keep the internal furnace burning.

Some dogs may develop dry skin as moving from cold to hot environments can put more stress on already weather beaten skin. Adding a .tsp of vegetable oil to their dinner once a week may help or you can mix a .tsp of oily fish (such as sardines in sunflower oil NOT brine) with one of their daily meals. If the situation is getting out of control, you may wish to purchase a dry skin oil such as Yumega, or Vetzyme's Dry Skin Tablets - both of which are very effective in treating seasonal skin problems. Avoid over bathing your dog as this will dry his skin out even more. If you must, try a brush out shampoo which will get him smelling fresh and clean in no time.

Aviary Birds will be especially hungry but breaking up seed uses valuable energy so make it easier for them by providing easy to eat high energy foods such as already shelled sunflower seeds, and blocks of fat similar to wild bird treats.  Put extra bowls in the aviary and keep them well topped up making sure to dust off any fallen snow as soon as possible to avoid the seed freezing or spoiling. Keep checking their water supply and break up any ice. A wine cork placed in the bowl can help keep the water from freezing, provided they don't see it as a toy and chuck it out!

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs would also appreciate a bit more food, but try to provide them with more roughage instead of pellets. Lots more hay or alfalfa grasses will give them plenty of extra energy and whatever isn't eaten can provide further insulation.

Still have questions?

Remember, we are here to help, so please ring if you have any questions about keeping your pet warm. If you feel your dog could use a bit of a break from a cold walk, please pop in and take advantage of our heated shop!  Tea and coffee on tap for the owner, and a nice crunchy treat for the dog.

See – every cloud has a silver lining!

Take care, and keep warm – Claire