How To Take Care of Your Pets During Winters

The winter season brings with it some unwanted yet must-do changes in our lifestyle. The drop in temperatures requires us to make adjustments in our lifestyles and to be careful of the cold and harsh winters. Animals are even more prone to getting ill in winters. It is our duty to lend extra tender loving care to pets during winters.

Let us see what must be done during winters to keep our pet animals happy, healthy, and safe. 

Keep Them Active and on Their Toes

• Animals that lack thick furs as a protective coating are sensitive to temperature drops.  During winters, most pets like to snuggle and become inactive. It is important to keep them active during winters to prevent them from getting overweight and for the sake of their general wellness. 

Take your dog out for a walk whenever it is sunny and dry. Provide them with toys to play with if taking out is not an option. Cats get particularly lazy during winters. Give them some indoor entertainment such as hide their treats and ask them to find them. Or take a laser pen and move it abruptly. Your cat will try to chase it and will get some exercise in doing so.

• If your cat fancies going outside during winters, you can fix a cat flap so it may come and go whenever it desires. To secure your house from uninvited cats, choose a cat flap that comes with a microchip. This way, only your cat will be authorized to come in and go out through the cat flap.

Keep Them Warm

Special arrangements need to be made when taking your pet out for a walk on a chilly day. Some dogs such as Greyhound or Staffie have thin furs and require extra layering for preserving the body heat. Listed below are some must-dos for keeping pets warm during winters:

•  Cover your dog with a coat when he is outdoor.
•  Check the paws of your pet for traces of snow if they have been outdoors.
• Dry your dog with a towel if he has been out in snow or rain.
• Arrange a warm shelter for your cats and dogs in the garden. Cover it with foil and blanket so they remain dry and warm.
• Small outdoor pets like rabbits and chinchillas should be relocated to a garage where they will remain warm and dry. Bring them indoors on a particularly chilly and wet day.
•  Small indoor pets like hamsters and birds should also be provided extra bedding. Make sure to place their cages at places where they remain safe from cold wind drafts. 
• Regulate and monitor the temperature of the fish tank during winters. Ensure that the tanks have an optimum temperature for fish to live in.
• If you have an outdoor pond, prevent it from freezing. If the top layer gets frozen, the water underneath will become devoid of oxygen, which is harmful to the fish. Float a huge ball over the pond to prevent the top from freezing.

In case your pet gets hypothermia or any other winter ailment, immediately contact a vet. If you are residing in Charlottesville, VA, lookup Autumn Trails Veterinary Center. They will take care of your pets for any medical emergency. 

Keep an Eye on Them When Outside

• Snowfall, fog, and blizzards during winters reduce visibility. Due to this, your pets are at risk of getting lost when outdoors. If you take them out for a walk or for playtime, keep an eye on them. Fit them with a collar which sends some signal either by producing light or by reflecting it.

Days become shorter during winters and the sun sets earlier. Ensure that your pet stays indoors after dark. Your pet’s microchip should be updated with your latest and correct contact information.