9 winter pet care tips for your furry companions

Winter in India ranges from the pleasantly cold to the very extremes, and both you and your pets need just as much care when the mercury drops! If you thought that furry coat was enough to keep them warm, you’d join many pet parents who make the same mistake. But you need to make sure that your beloved companion is as healthy and comfortable as can be, so they can enjoy the best of the cold seasons with you!

Here are the top 9 winter pet care tips that will make your life easier by Dr. Vinod Sharma, Head of Veterinary Services – DCC Animal Hospital and Pet Care.

Just like humans, you need to understand your pet’s tolerance based on several factors including their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. While long haired or thick coated pets are usually more cold-resistant, short-haired or those with shorter legs feel colder because of the increased exposure. So, make sure your pet is wearing a suitable covering or coat made for them, and check on them regularly.

If you don’t already, walk them during the late morning or early afternoon, when it’s warmer outside. Not only will it be more comfortable, walking or playing in the sun also gives them their much-needed dose of Vitamin D!

While we all know how much our pets love claiming every spot in the entire house as their own, we should still make sure they have a space of their own that is adequately warm and cozy. That ends up becoming their safe space, with their familiar warm blankets and toys. Additionally, if you have any kind of heaters or fireplaces in the house, make sure they are pet-proofed, and your pets don’t accidentally hurt themselves while seeking warmth.

Be it dogs or cats, dry and cold weather can be as bad for your pets’ skin as it is for ours. At times, even more. By consulting with your veterinarian, you can add a skin and coat supplement to their food, to help prevent dry, flaky, or cracked skin. Coconut oil is also a great natural moisturizer you can apply externally if needed.

There is a common misconception that increasing the food intake of your pets might protect them from the cold, but that could prove disastrous for them. You need to carefully monitor your pets’ weight throughout the season to make sure they’re at a healthy weight and adjust their calorie intake based on their level of activity as well. Again, you can consult your veterinarian for a high-quality whole-food diet for your pets.

Winter lowers our water consumption, just as much as it can in your pets. But for them, dehydration can be life-threatening! So, during winters, make sure their water bowls are never empty and keep watch on whether they are drinking adequate water or not.

Grooming your pets is usually a basic thing that should already be done periodically, but during winters, it becomes even more necessary to take care of their fur and skin. A good brushing session can help clear up anything stuck, and help provide better insulation to your four-legged friend. If you take your dogs outside to play, you need to properly clean or bathe them, and dry them, when you bring them inside.

Standing water can carry several kinds of parasites and toxins, and become breeding grounds for disease-spreading insects. This could cause digestive issues and severe complications for them. When taking your pet outdoors, make sure they don’t drink from any outside water source and avoid having open water containers around the house.

Cold weather could exacerbate several conditions in pets, such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Similarly, young or older pets may have very different requirements for care during the cold season. So, a yearly wellness exam is always a good idea for your pets, and there’s no better time like the winter season for it.

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