As winter approaches and there’s a bit of a nip in the air, it’s a good time to think about how best to prepare our pets for the cold weather. The normal range of temperatures that animals are able to maintain their body temperature without using energy is called the thermoneutral zone. In dogs, it ranges from 20-30°C. Outside of this range, dogs need to use energy to warm up or cool down.
Short coated and small breeds of dogs (such as Chihuahuas and English Toy Terriers) are more susceptible to low temperatures compared to long, thick coated and large breeds of dogs (such as Alaskan Malamutes and German Shepherd Dogs). However, while your dog may have a long coat, their ears, noses and feet are still exposed to the cold. It is important to provide a warm coat to dogs that are small or have a short coat, particularly when they are outside or are on a walk in cold temperatures. It is important to make sure that they are still able to move freely, that the coat or jumper isn’t causing them pain or discomfort if it doesn’t fit correctly and that they are not overheating if the coat is left on when they go inside or are performing vigorous activity.
While warm, soft cozy bedding seems like an obvious thing to provide to your pet, it’s important to ensure that their bedding is adequate for them in winter. Older and larger dogs especially need the correct thickness of bedding (approximately 15-20cm) so that it doesn’t collapse under their weight and cause them discomfort. Their bed should be in a draft free area and ideally be raised off the ground (but not so high that they have difficulty getting in or out of the bed, particularly if they are arthritic). Heating mats and discs can be used to warm the bed, but care must be taken that they aren’t going to be chewed or eaten, or be so hot as to burn them. Heaters and fireplaces must be used with caution as dogs can burn themselves on them, or accidentally start a house fire.
Senior animals are also more susceptible to the cold, as well as being more likely to have arthritis. It is important to monitor our older pets comfort levels in the colder months. If you notice that they are quite stiff and sore in the morning or that they are having difficulty moving around, you can contact your local veterinary clinic to get advice on the best way to help them. There are many nutritional supplements that can be used, such as 4cyte, Paws Osteosupport, Hill’s Joint Care and Royal Canin Mobility C2P+. These diets and supplements generally work to support cartilage in the joints. If the pain from the arthritis is more severe, arthritis injections (generally containing glucosamine or pentosan for cartilage support) or anti-inflammatories and pain relief medications may be prescribed. It is best to discuss these options with your veterinarian first as there can be side effects associated with different treatments.
Exercise is a great way of keeping your dog fit and healthy and warm in winter, as well as maintaining good muscle mass. Older, arthritic dogs can greatly benefit from moderate amounts of exercise. Not only will it help manage their weight, which is vital to help reduce their joint pain, movement will help to stop their joints getting too stiff. It is possible to do too much exercise, so 15-20 min walks are recommended. Some dogs will increase their food intake during winter as well, if their bodies are working a lot to stay warm. While a small increase in food is okay during this time, it is not recommended that they put on too much weight as that will increase their risk of diseases such as arthritis and diabetes.
It is important to think about cats during winter as well. While we tend to be more focused on dogs, it’s worth considering how our feline friends cope with the cooler weather as well. The thermoneutral zone for cats is 30–38°C, which is a fair bit warmer than what dogs like. Cats can cope quite well with cooler environments, as long as they have a warm area to go and snuggle up into. Unfortunately, this can lead to them deciding to sleep under car bonnets or on fireplaces, and getting severely injured or burnt by accident. By providing a few warm areas around the house for cats to sleep, they are less likely to try and warm up in a more undesirable location.
With these tips, hopefully everyone can be snuggled up and warm this winter with your pets, while staying safe and healthy!
