Are you feeling the chill in the air? 🥶 We bet your pet is feeling it too! Here are some quick tips to make sure your pet is comfy and able to handle the winter chills!

Keep them warm and cosy

Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep, especially during chilly winter nights. Keep them indoors as much as possible, and ensure that you change their water regularly to keep their water bowl warm. You can consider using plastic food bowls as metal can stick to your pet’s tongue if it is extremely cold in your house. 

Stick to an exercise routine 

Spending a lot of time snuggled up indoors can lead to a whole lot of lazing around (for pets and humans alike!). Ensure you’re spending enough time playing with your pet and keeping them on the move with some tricks and training.

Take special care for pets with arthritis 

Just like people, colder weather can make older joints ache. Pets with arthritis can experience increased discomfort, particularly during this time. If you notice your pet being slower to rise in the mornings, stiff after a nap or a little less likely to jump up, it might be time to visit your vet to ask about how to keep their older joints more comfortable. Make sure your pet is getting enough exercise as it encourages circulation as extra weight can worsen their joint ache.  

Get them a coat 

Although most pets, particularly cats and dogs have a natural warm coat to protect them from the cold, you can always invest in a good winter coat for pets with a thin coat, or senior pets who need more care during winter months. 

Invest in a heat pad for small pets

Small pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits need more attention and care during colder months. You can make their hutch cosy with warm blankets or hay, or buy a heat pad which can be easily microwaved. However, make sure the heat pad is only at one end of their enclosure and not across the whole length so they can get off it, as it's possible it could burn if they can't get off.

Get more helpful tips for your pets in the PetRescue library!