KEEPING CATS AND DOGS HAPPY IN WINTER

The clocks have gone back and with shorter and darker days here, PDSA vets are urging pet owners to start thinking about how they can keep their pets happy and healthy over the winter months ahead.

PDSA Vet Lynne James said: “With the cold and dark months ahead there are some important things you can do to make sure your pets are happy, cosy and content this winter.”

Here are Lynne’s tips for cats and dogs!

Make sure they always have access to warmth and shelter – never leave them outside for long periods.

A suitable waterproof coat can help keep dogs dry, and they’re especially good for pets that are very young or old, are sick, or have very thin fur.

Dogs will still need daily walks and cats may still want to go outside, but keep these excursions short and frequent, rather than longer periods outdoors. However, don’t force pets to go outside if they don’t want to.

Never leave pets in cars, caravans or unheated conservatories, as temperatures can quickly plummet, risking hypothermia.

After walks, towel-dry them straight away if they get wet.

Check pets’ paws regularly and clean any build-up of salt, grit or dirt from them, as this can be painful.

Wear a high visibility jacket yourself for walks on dark nights, and use a high-vis or LED collar and a hi-vis dog jacket to make walking near roads safer.

If you spot your pet shivering, bring them into the warmth straight away. Hypothermia can develop quickly and can be fatal if not treated.

PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment.

For more advice visit www.pdsa.org.uk/winterhealth