Winter weather top tips for cats and dogs
November 30, 2023
Now we are in the depths of winter, keeping our pets warm, dry and happy can present a few challenges. Below, our team at Nurture have gathered their top tips on how to tackle the winter weather conditions and why your pet could be affected.
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Windy weather
Windy weather can sometimes upset our pets. Nurture knows that those with a nervous disposition can find the noise of the wind unsettling and they may not settle down or sleep well when there’s a gale blowing. Things can be even worse if the wind cause rattles or strange noises around the house.
You can help your pet by keeping the TV or radio on during stormy weather to distract from unusual noises. Making sure that you carry on as normal, rather than comforting your pets can also be a useful way to show them that there’s nothing to worry about. When your pets are outside in windy weather, it can make them a bit skittish. If the wind is up, you may want to think about keeping your dog on a lead or keeping your cat inside just in case they get spooked.
Rainy weather
We all know that cats tend not to like getting wet, but those who get caught in the rain are usually good at finding somewhere warm to curl up and dry. If you get the chance though it can be worth giving cats a quick towel dry. Although its tempting to use a hair drier, the noise is likely to scare them away and the heat can also damage fur and skin.
Wet weather for dogs can start to become a part of everyday life over the winter, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. Water usually means mud and almost daily dog washing can become the norm. If your dog gets muddy on a walk then its important to make sure their fur doesn’t become matted. Mud and dirt can also get into eyes, ears and between toes which can cause discomfort or even infection.
Having a good quality dog shampoo is important over winter to make sure your dog’s coat stays clean. Some dogs have more sensitive skin than others so it’s worth getting advice from our team at Nurture on sensitive shampoos that we would recommend.
Freezing weather
Cold weather can also bring challenges for pets. Making sure your pets have a warm and comfortable bed can be one of the best ways to keep your pets happy and healthy over winter. Just as cold or damp weather can exacerbate aches and pains in people, winter weather can be tough on our pets – particularly as they get a bit older. Wrapping up warm for trips out is also important and you should consider using a dog jacket when temperatures plummet. When you’re pets are outside, watch that they don’t slip in icy conditions and do themselves an injury.
Nurture has two practices with friendly and caring vets in Wells and Weston-super-Mare. Nurture is the amalgamation of two practices, Westfield Vets and Summer Lane Vets, who both share a passion on helping pets to live well whilst providing a unique customer experience.
If you need any advice about caring for your pets in winter weather, do get in touch.
