We’ll do anything to keep toasty during the chilly months: hot chocolate, blankets, warming up by the fire… But what about our pets? How can we keep them warm in the winter?
Despite their fur coats, which act as a layer of warmth and protection, all pets can suffer from the cold. From hypothermia to frostbite, your pets can be at risk of numerous ailments during the winter.
How to keep dogs warm in winter
Dogs and wolves share a common ancestor, hinting towards the wild ancestry of the dog species. Unlike wolves, most domesticated dogs are not capable of staying in the cold for long periods of time.
While dogs still need exercise in the colder months, you will need to rethink their usual routines. Here are some tips on how to keep dogs warm in winter:
Opt for shorter walks and indoor play
Although most dogs should be walked daily, their ears, paws and nose are exposed to the elements during colder weather.
With this in mind, make walks shorter during winter – and you can always make these more frequent if your dog has lots of energy. Always start slowly, giving your dog’s muscles the opportunity to warm up.
You can make time to play indoors too – check out our tips on entertaining your dog at home to keep them happy.
Be wary of ice and snow
Thin ice over ponds can easily break under the weight of a dog. If an accident happens and your dog does fall in, don’t go in after them. Your dog can survive longer than you in icy water, so call them to swim towards you and phone 999 if it becomes an emergency.
Remember to keep an eye on your dog’s paws when walking in the snow as they can easily become compacted and very uncomfortable. Look out for chapping, cracking or any wounds caused by sharp ice on the pads of their paws. Don’t forget to wash their paws when you get home to remove any harmful grit and salt used on pavements and roads, which is toxic to dogs and can cause dehydration, liver failure and pancreatitis if ingested.
Consider extra insulation
When thinking about how to keep a dog warm outside in the winter, you may consider investing in a dog coat.
A thermal or fleece-lined coat for your dog will keep them warm and provide them with an extra layer. This is particularly important if your dog has a short coat, if they are older, or if they are smaller in size.
Remember to use a towel to help your dog dry off after a walk or bath, as it takes longer for their coat to dry when it’s cold.
Think about bedding
Your dog’s bed should be warm, raised above the ground to avoid draughts, and include lots of blankets — the addition of a self-warming pet mat can also be a good idea, to help retain their body heat.
Consider moving your dog’s bed to your room to keep them toasty. If they sleep in another room or colder part of the house, a draught excluder can be a welcome addition to keep them warm at night.
If your dog sleeps outside, ensure you provide proper housing which is dry with insulation and a sloped roof.
Warm up their food
Warm water or stock that doesn’t contain onion or garlic can be added to your dog’s food to help heat it up. Just make sure it isn’t too hot – and don’t put it in the microwave!
Can dogs catch colds?
Your dog can’t catch a cold, but if you see similar symptoms – such as a runny nose, coughing and sneezing – consult your vet. Your pet may have caught an infectious disease, such as kennel cough. If you have a Petplan dog insurance policy, you can also access our Pet Expert Chat 24/7 to ask any questions to an expert. Simply log into your My Petplan account and head to the My Support area to access.
If your dog can’t stop shivering, whines, curls into a ball, seeks warmth, is cold to the touch and becomes slow in movement – again, seek veterinary help, as they may be suffering from mild hypothermia.
How to keep cats warm in winter
Cats are independent, spending much of their time roaming the streets – no matter what the weather!
But during winter, you might prefer them to spend more time indoors. Here’s how you can help them.
Make the inside inviting
If you’d like your cat to shield from the winter elements indoors, make sure you have a clean litter tray in a quiet spot that they can easily access, so they don’t feel the need to venture outside when nature calls.
Provide plenty of food throughout the day and ensure their water bowl is clean and topped up. Make sure they also have access to plenty of toys and enrichment activities.
Keep them entertained by playing indoor games with them, snuggling up on the sofa, and paying them lots of attention – this can help them associate ‘staying in’ with enjoyment.
Provide a cosy bed (or two!)
It’s no secret that cats love to sleep, and you may notice them catching even more Zs during the winter. Keep them cosy inside by providing plenty of warm places for them to sleep in. For ultimate luxury, you may even want to invest in a heated cat bed.
Be sure to place any beds away from draughts. Most cats love to curl up next to a radiator or other warmth source, so try moving their bed to a warmer spot.
If your cat doesn’t usually use a bed, you can try placing a cardboard box by a radiator or a blanket under your own bed – although they may enjoy snuggling up on your bed even more!
Be wary of problematic symptoms
Although the cold isn’t usually a serious threat to a cat’s health, they can get hypothermia and frostbite with prolonged exposure to low temperatures. Look out for shivering, pale gums, weakness and lethargy, slow breathing, slow heart rate and cold ears, paws and nose. If your cat has been outside, make sure to towel them off once they come in to help them warm back up quickly.
Always be aware that rock salt and antifreeze can be poisonous to cats, so store them safely and out of reach to avoid any further issues.
If you are worried about your cat’s health, seek advice from a vet. If you have a Petplan cat insurance policy, you can also ask any questions to an expert via our Pet Expert Chat. Log into your My Petplan account and head to My Support to get started.
Pay special attention to older cats
Senior cats need a little bit more attention over the winter to help them stay warm, fit and healthy – here’s how you can support them during the colder months.
An older cat with arthritis can also experience inflammation during lower temperatures, so make sure they can easily access their favourite places to curl up. You might want to provide them with a heated pet pad to ease any joint aches, too.
How do you keep outdoor cats warm in the winter?
An outdoor cat will instinctively find a warm spot to curl up in — but that place could be dangerous, such as beneath a car. They can also get trapped inside garages or sheds if doors are left open and no alternative is provided, so be sure to check these spots often.
To help support an outdoor cat, you can provide a warm shelter in the garden or at the front of your house. This should be raised off of the ground and ideally insulated with straw, so cats can burrow into it. Avoid using towels or blankets, as these can retain moisture and draw away a cat’s body heat.
And don’t forget to keep any cat flaps free from snow, so your cats always have easy access to the warm indoors.
How do you keep your pet warm in winter? Share your suggestions on Petplan’s Facebook page.