If you have an elderly or sickly dog, buy a coat or jumper to keep them warm.
Stay safe when walking your dog in the dark. Wear reflective clothing and a reflective collar or light for your dog’s collar.
Check your feline friend’s bedding to ensure it is away from cold draughts and stays warm and dry. In the coldest months, your cat must have access to a warm environment, such as your home or another heated indoor area.
In cold weather, cats may decide to take shelter under your car, including crawling under the bonnet and wheel arches to soak up the warmth from the car engine and tyres.
Before setting off in your car, make sure you tap the bonnet of your car and check around the wheels and on top of the tyres before you start the engine and drive.
Keep your dogs away from ponds and lakes that are iced over – thin ice may break under a dog’s weight. If it’s snowing outside, watch out for your dogs’ paws becoming compacted with snow, which is uncomfortable for them.
Be aware that antifreeze and rock salt can be poisonous to pets. Wash their paws thoroughly after walking your dog in areas that may have been gritted with rock salt. If you think your animal may have ingested antifreeze please contact us immediately.
Rabbits and Guinea pigs
Outdoor pets, such as rabbits and guinea pig, need extra bedding such as dust-free hay in the winter months. Keep their home protected from bad weather by using blankets or covers, to help insulate their sleeping area or shelter in the winter months. Remember to make sure they’re still well-ventilated.
Keep their enclosures clean, as wet bedding will freeze on cold nights and this could make them ill.
Keep your pets dry in rainy weather by making sure the indoor area of their enclosure has a sloped roof to allow water to drain away. Raise it off the ground by at least four inches and place it in a sheltered position, facing away from wind and rain.
Ensure outdoor pets always have fresh clean water to drink and check at least twice a day that it isn’t frozen.
As the temperature drops, you could move their enclosure into an outhouse shed or unused garage. If you decide to bring your rabbits or guinea pigs indoors, they’ll need plenty of time and room to exercise in a safe and secure environment.
Source: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/winter/pets
Understanding your pets body language
Dogs
Dogs that are calm, confident and relaxed should be interested in what’s happening around them and responsive to their owners, but also able to settle.
- Body free from tension
- Ears are in a natural position or slightly forward
- Relaxed facial muscles
- Tails hangs and moves loosely
When a dog is worried about something or uncomfortable about a situation, they may behave in ways that communicate to us, or other dogs, that they need more space between themselves and whatever it is they’re unsure about.
You need to know your dog well enough to recognise the signs that they are uncomfortable or worried. You can then take appropriate action to protect the welfare of your dog, and to prevent the situation from getting worse.
The purpose of appeasement signals seems to be to defuse potential conflict. The appeasing dog may seek to increase distance or avert conflict.
- Lick lipping
- Cowering
- Hackles up
- Tail down and tip wagging
- Yawning
- Lip licking
- Head lowering
- Yawning
- Ears back
- Rolling onto back
Cats
There’s nothing better than seeing a happy cat! There are a few clear signs that your cat is happy.
- An upright tail
- Relaxed posture
- Relaxed eyes
- Slow blinking
- Rolling on their back
- Ears forward and relaxed
- Relaxed whiskers
- Asking for a fuss
- Cheek rubbing
Signs that your cat may be unhappy:
- Grooming more than usual
- Puffed up fur
- Ears back or to the side
- Hissing or spitting
- Eyes open with wide pupils
- Excessive lip licking
- Running away from people and pets
- Wary and guarded movements
We often think that our cats are happy when they purr. This is only true if their body language is relaxed. They can also purr to get your attention and fuss.
Sometimes cats can purr in stressful situations, such as going to the vet. Sadly, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re happy at the vet! They can also sometimes purr if they are in pain. It’s important to watch your cat’s body language as well as looking at the context as this is a better indicator of whether they are happy and comfortable.
If you’re concerned about your pet’s behaviour, then speak to your vet to rule out any medical problems that may be influencing their behaviour and ask about a referral to an accredited behaviourist.
Source: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/body-language
Source: https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cat-body-language
