Protect pets from the cold
Rabbits and other small pets are perhaps the biggest concern here, but the cold can be a problem for other pets too:
Cats
Cats that don’t have access to the house through a cat flap or to a warm kennel shouldn’t be left out for long periods. If you do decide to keep your cat in for any length of time, invest in some toys to stimulate him and keep him fit!
Dogs
For dogs, the smaller the breed, the more likely the dog is to suffer with the cold weather due to the increased skin surface area to volume ratio.
Put a coat on smaller dogs when out for a walk, and consider how any dogs kept outside can be kept warm. If your dog gets wet on a walk, make sure you towel dry as soon as you get home. A wet coat can easily lead to hypothermia.
Rabbits
Rabbits are often kept outside, cold weather is a big concern for them. In the wild they can deal with the cold weather by going into burrows. If keeping pet rabbits we must take care not to expose them to the cold and wet weather.
Elderly or unwell rabbits are probably best brought inside for the winter. It may be ok to keep young healthy rabbits outside as long as their hutch is sheltered from the weather and they are checked 3-4 times a day. Ensure they are comfortable, that they have (unfrozen!) water and hay, and that their bedding is dry.
If your pet does succumb to hypothermia, acting quickly could save their life. Move them straight away to somewhere warm, but not too hot, as warming up too quickly can be dangerous. Dry them with a towel if necessary, as a wet coat results in a lot of heat loss.
Beware antifreeze
To many animals, antifreeze tastes sweet. Unfortunately, ingestion of only a small amount of antifreeze can lead to acute kidney disease and death in a short amount of time. This is a particular problem for cats, as they are more likely to access antifreeze as they roam.
Deliberate poisoning of cats with antifreeze (for example in pieces of meat) has been known to occur, but most of the time it is accidental ingestion.
To help prevent this, always make sure antifreeze is labelled correctly and that spills are cleared up quickly, and make sure that pets cannot access the area until it is safe.
If you spot any of the following signs, seek veterinary attention immediately:
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Vomiting
• Depression / lethargy / appearing drunk
Watch out for salt and grit
As the weather gets colder and the risk of snow and ice increases, salt and grit will be spread on roads. Unfortunately, ingestion by pets can cause salt poisoning, which can make them very unwell.
Animals can ingest salt when they get it on their paws and then lick it off. Make sure you clean your dog’s paws after a walk. Try to avoid walking on roads as even if paws are cleaned before your dog can lick them, grit can be abrasive and damage the skin of the feet. You could even get some doggy boots. Consider keeping your cat indoors if he is likely to roam on gritted roads.
Signs to look out for are similar to those mentioned for antifreeze poisoning, and veterinary attention should also be sought immediately:
• Off food, Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Tiredness/lethargy
• Appearing drunk
• Excessive thirst/urination
Take care with walks in the dark
It’s best to walk your dog in daylight, but of course that’s not always possible. If walking your dog in the dark, I would advise keeping him on a lead, with a hi vis reflective vest, and a flashing tag attached to his collar – both of these items are readily available online. Carry a torch with you too in case he slips his lead, and consider a tracking collar tag.