A 'one stop source' featuring a wealth of animal health information and advice to help owners and potential owners to make decisions about their pets' healthcare.
We humans sometimes forget that many of our pets get just as accustomed to the comfortable climate of the indoors as we do. It is important to remember that just like some human conditions can get worse in the cold, so can conditions in pets. Here are some ways you can keep good pet health care this winter.
Check up
Take your pet to the vet for a pet health care check up when the mercury starts dropping. The main thing to remember for your pet’s winter healthcare is that most conditions aren’t seasonal, so don’t forget that you need to keep up with all the routine preventative care such as worm and flea treatment and vaccination.
Fleas, in particular, are often mistakenly regarded as a summer problem but bear these three facts in mind if you’re tempted to forgo your pet’s winter flea treatment:
•Flea pupae can live for up to one year in homes
•95% of flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in beds, rugs, carpets and sofas – not on your pet
•One flea can multiply by 1000 in just 21 days
If your pet has medical conditions that might get worse in the cold, such as arthritis, it will be invaluable for you to know so that you can protect the pet from the cold.
Keep them warm
Dogs and cats do feel the cold and conditions such as arthritis can be affected by the cold. If your dog or cat seems stiff, reluctant to jump or in pain, take them to the vet as these are all possible signs of arthritis.
Rabbits can build up thick fur in the winter and have soft fur pads on their feet, so they don’t need to come inside. However they don’t like draughts so it is best to move hutches to a draught free spot or to put a hutch cover on overnight to keep out the cold and draught. Hay or dry straw are great insulators as bedding in their hutch – better than a blanket which they could chew
Food and water
If you leave your pet outside for it is important to ensure they have easy access to unfrozen water at all times and also access to a kennel or other shelter containing suitable bedding so that they can keep warm.
If their water freezes they are more likely to drink out of nearby puddles and gutters which can contain chemicals like antifreeze or extensive amounts of salt which can be dangerous to your pet.
And no matter how thick it seems, don’t let your dog run on the ice – it and you run the risk of falling through.
Keep an eye out
As you pet’s owner you know them best and will be able to notice even the smallest change in their behaviour – if you’re worried at all talk to your vet or other pet care specialist.
Pets can have a wonderful time during the winter getting out and about or snuggling up in the warm, and especially if they get accurate pet health care. For more pet health information visit the Pet Health Info website.