26/09/2022
WINTER IS COMING (FOR OUR PETS)!
The cooler months are finally here and with them come many changes for our pets. This might mean shorter walks, thicker coats and more lying around on the sofa (next to a warm log fire, if they are lucky).
But this time of year might also mean changes in our pets’ metabolism and habits. Some of these may be quite evident, but others might escape our notice.
Luckily, there are plenty of simple things we can do to make sure our best friends’ needs are all taken care of before winter arrives and it is now, in the autumn, when we need to start preparing them for the colder months that lie ahead!
Well-being and nutrition: It can take up to four and six months for our pets’ body to start noticing the effects of a change in diet or added nutritional supplement, which is why it's advised to start the preparation for Winter during the first weeks of Autumn.
- Supplements
There are healthy nutritional supplements available that can aid our pets coat and immune system ready for the winter such as:
· Cold pressed Salmon oil: contains healthy fats such as Omega 3 & 6 which will help maintain our cats and dogs coats and skin. This aids their immune system as it also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can become very useful if you have a dog or a cat that suffers with Arthritis or Heart disease. There is also evidence that suggests that salmon oil aids a healthy brain function and could be beneficial to animals that have problems with their sight, such as Glucoma. My favourite brand of salmon oil is Oleum Canis which offers human-grade quality oil for our pets, and at a good price!
· Berries: dogs benefit greatly from berries being added to their diet as they are full of antioxidants and Vitamin C which helps keep the immune system strong. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries are just a few dog-friendly berries that you could add to you best friends’ diet this autumn.
· Vitamin D: around 75% of dogs are believed to have a Vit D deficiency and, unlike most omnivores and herbivores, cats and dogs are unable to synthesise Vitamin D adequately in the skin, meaning they rely on its being in their diet. Vitamin D2 and D3 indirectly helps towards good bone growth and overall health. Vitamin D-related conditions we sometimes see in dogs and cats are calcium and phosphorous deficiencies, osteoporosis, and Rickets in puppies and kittens. But often this can go beyond the bones and vitamin D deficiencies can also play a leading role in diabetes, cancers, Autoimmune Infectious disease, Cardiovascular disease, Neuromuscular disorders and even obesity!
**Always consult with your veterinarian before adding supplements into your pets diet.
- Vaccination and worming: vets will recommend your dog and cat be wormed ahead of winter to help provide extra protection.
If your pet is due their first vaccines or their booster jabs, talk to your vet about getting them done before winter.
- Mental health and behaviour: Cats and dogs as well as many other pets are animals of routine and habit. Our daily routine may seem something so simple and boring to us but to them it brings comfort and confidence, and during colder months these can be affected by something as simple as the clocks going back and getting walked at an earlier hour than what they are habituated to. It's important we try and keep a close schedule to what they are used to, ensuring they do not feel stressed or out of place in their own homes. We may even find they are spending more time in the house due to adverse weather conditions or less sunlight, and this can affect our pet and can sometimes present itself with unwanted behaviour due to lack of mental stimulus. Thankfully there are ways we can beat the boredom bug by providing enrichments for them around the house. Snuffle mats, Treat puzzles, teaching them tricks with clicker training and interactive toys can be a perfect way to bond with them as you pass the time whilst keeping their teeth and claws away from furniture and clothing!
Turning up the heat: In winter we may feel encouraged to wrap up our pet and turn up the heating, but do they really need it?
In the house its good to try to keep the temperature between 20º and 22ºC if you have an elderly, sick or thin cat, and for a dog you can turn it up slightly higher. Always leave blankets at their free disposal but try to avoid wrapping them up as this could lead to overheating.
If your dog or cat has issues with their health or their bones try to make sure they are not sleeping with a blanket directly on the floor. A slightly elevated dog bed or cat tower can do wonders when it comes to keeping the cold out of their bones!
Avoid bathing your pet during the cooler months, as doing so removes important oils found on their coat and skin that provides them with natural insulation. When it's time to go outside if the weather is extremely cold or even snowing you can rub vaseline onto their paws as this will provide a protective barrier against the moist ground, salt and chemicals that may be present when its below freezing. As a general rule there is no need to use a coat on your dog if the temperature is 10º or above. I always suggest avoiding the use of dog coats unless your dog is one of the following: old, very young, sick, has a thin coat or none at all, is a small breed such as a Yorkshire terrier or Chihuahua, or has joint or mobility problems.
Always remember to dry your pets’ paws when bringing them in from the cold to remove any dirt, grit or chemicals that they may of walked in.
When it comes down to cats please remember that feral and outdoor cats may try to seek warmth in car engines that are cooling down, so its always advised to check there is no stowaway under the hood of your car before driving off.
Some potential dangers and other problems:
With cooler weather also comes a lot of potential hazards and problems for our dog or cat that all owner should be aware of to prevent any unwanted situations.
- Fleas: they are 70% more active in the Autumn and Spring because the environment is ideal for them, with humidity caused by rainfall and warm temperatures still present the fleas are thriving! In fact in certain times of year many pet owners believe their flea repellents are not working.
- Poisons:
· Antifreeze: tastes sweet to our dog and cat but it is deadly! Make sure all antifreeze that may be present in the house is kept out of reach of our pet and that lids are secured, also whilst outside keep a close eye open for spills when walking close to roads and areas where cars may have been stationary.
· Rodenticide: as the weather gets cooler, rats and mice start looking for warm areas to hide away making it seem like there is an abundance of them. Unfortunately many people will not opt for a humane option when it comes to getting rid of them and will lay poison down. The danger can come in two forms: either our pet ingests the poison laid down for the rodents or our pet ingests the rodent that has been poisoned (either dead or dying). The safest way to prevent this is to always keep our pet within our sight and not allow them to wander off on their own.
- Road accidents: it is true that road accidents can occur at any time of the year but during the months where the days are shorter and the nights are longer road accidents in Spain involving a domestic animal go up 95%. 80% of these accidents involve dogs, mostly related to hunting activities. However as pet owners we need to ensure the safety of our pet when going for walks, so keep you dog on a leash at all times and use HI-VIZ reflective equipment such as collars and harnesses on our dog, and reflective jackets, head gear, or wrist bands on ourselves.
- Food and beverages: during autumn and winter our diet changes as we love to indulge with hot chocolates, red wines, and the odd naughty yummy, but while we may throughly enjoy the odd treat, the same cannot necessarily be said for our pets.
Here is a list of foods that are harmful and should not be fed to our furry companion: Alcohol, Apple seeds and Unripened apples, Avocado pits, Black Tea, Citrus, Cherry pits, Chives, Chocolate, Coffee & Coffee beans, Garlic, Grapes, Nuts inc Almond, Macadamia, Pecan & Walnut, Raisins, Salt, Xylitol (Artificial sweetener), Yeast.
- Fireworks: Here in Spain they are huge lovers of fireworks (fuegos artificiales), fire crackers (petardos) and sky rockets (cohetes) that tend to accompany most national and local fiestas. Although Autumn isn’t the time of year when we are most likely to encounter them, there is still a possibility that the city or village we live in celebrates a patron saint or historical event around this time of year, so its important to enquire and take note of what local fiestas in your town are celebrated with fireworks in order to provide the best protection. Here are a few tips and options of what we can do to help our pet from panicking when there are fireworks:
·Use a “Safe Room”: If your house has a room in which sounds and lights from the outside are greatly reduced you can use it as a Safe-room for your pet. In the room you can place their favourite toy, blanket, treats, food and water until the event has finished. Make sure you do not leave them on their own to feel vulnerable during this time, you can help greatly by offering cuddles and words of comfort to make them feel secure.
·Take them out of town: If we know the dates and/or the time the fireworks are set to go off, we can arrange to take our pet out for a relaxing drive or walk for a few hours or plan a quiet weekend away from all the noise and loud bangs which could also benefit us too!
·Use a sedative: If your pet suffers a terrible phobia when it comes down to fireworks using a sedative may be an option. Sedatives must only be prescribed and given by a Veterinarian. They are usually given a couple of hours before the stressful event and effects can last for several hours. Pet owners must be aware that not all sedatives have the desired effect - many may help your pet sleep though the loud noises but they do not always reduce anxiety. Anxiolytics on the other hand will reduce the anxiety but will not necessarily relax your pet sufficiently. Talk to your vet to discuss what the best option would be for your pet.
· Anti-stress vests/Thunder shirts: If your pet stresses but does not go into full thrown panic attacks an anti-stress vest may be a suitable option for them, you can either buy them online or try making your own DIY stress vests by searching the step by step guide you can find on google.
A little extra: Whilst our pets and ourselves are really lucky to have each other, please remember that there are many animals that do not have a warm loving home to go to. Fortunately there are hundreds of rescue centres throughout Spain that do an amazing job at helping those in need. Winter can be a tough time for them so here are just a few ideas that you could do to help them care for those in need:
· Donate your old pet blankets, beds and toys: Thinking of throwing them away? Local rescues are more than happy to have extra blankets and beds especially during the cold months, they will always have an unexpected visitor or incident in which extra bedding comes as a godsend.
· Offer to buy some food: Even a sack of dog food or a few cans of cat food can mean a small weight being lifted when it comes to down to a rescue’s expenses. Many cats and dogs come into rescue centres completely emaciated and in need of round-the-clock care.
· Pay a vet treatment forward:
Talk to your local rescue or veterinary clinic about paying ahead for an animal that needs treatment, which could be a vaccine, castration or surgery. You never know when a homeless animal may arrive on their doorstep in need of specific care and treatment and in some cases having paid it forward can be life saving for that animal.
· Foster: If you are not looking at being a full time pet owner you could offer your home as a temporary safe haven for them. Doing this comes with many benefits such as giving a dog or cat a warm loving place to stay until they find their forever home and freeing up space at the animal rescue which will enable them to care for another animal in need.
· Volunteer: If you are unable to help economically or offer a temporary home, donating your time can also mean a lot to the staff and animals at an animal rescue, many are short staffed and are unable to give every animal the time and attention it needs. You could offer to walk a dog or two a couple of times a week or help with feeding and general care, who knows you may even meet your new best friend and come back with your arms full of love, fluff, wags or purrs!
