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Weekday: 8:30am to 6:00pm (open until 8pm Tuesday & Thursday) | Saturday: 9am to 1pm | Sunday: 9am to 12pm
November marks a real change in routine. The heating goes on, daylight disappears earlier, walks become wetter and colder, and both we and our pets tend to spend more time indoors.
Changes in temperature, exercise and routine can all affect our pets, particularly puppies and kittens, senior animals and those with existing health conditions. So, before winter properly sets in, now is a good time to make a few adjustments to keep your pet comfortable, active and healthy.
Not every pet copes with cold weather in the same way. Age, breed, coat type, body condition and health can all affect how well an animal handles lower temperatures.
Shivering, curling up tightly, seeking warm places, lifting paws from cold ground or becoming reluctant to stay outside can all indicate that your pet is feeling the cold.
Dogs that need some extra warmth may benefit from a well-fitting coat, particularly older, smaller or short-haired breeds. After wet walks, dry your dog thoroughly and remove wet coats promptly.
At home, make sure pets have a warm, comfortable place to sleep away from draughts. Senior cats and dogs may benefit from supportive beds in easily accessible locations so they don’t have to climb stairs or jump to get comfortable.
Regular exercise remains important during winter, but routines may need to change.
Consider safer, well-lit routes for dark morning and evening walks, and use reflective collars, leads, harnesses or lights to make your dog easier to see.
Rather than dramatically reducing exercise when the weather is poor, aim for regular, manageable walks. Sniffing and exploring provide valuable mental stimulation too, so a shorter, interesting walk can still be worthwhile.
When outdoor activity is limited, bring some enrichment indoors. Puzzle feeders, scent games, training sessions and food-dispensing toys can keep dogs occupied. For cats, try interactive play, scratching posts, climbing opportunities and hiding places.
This can be particularly helpful if your outdoor cat suddenly decides that winter is much better spent beside the radiator!
Changing weather and routines can sometimes make mobility problems more noticeable.
Perhaps your dog is taking longer to get up, hesitating on stairs or struggling after walks. An older cat might stop jumping onto a favourite chair, become less active or find grooming more difficult.
Don’t automatically dismiss these changes as “just getting old”. Arthritis and other painful conditions can affect mobility, and there may be ways to make your pet much more comfortable.
At home, non-slip rugs can help on slippery floors, supportive beds can make resting more comfortable, and ramps or steps can reduce jumping. Older cats may also benefit from low-entry litter trays and easier routes to favourite sleeping spots.
Regular, gentle exercise can help maintain strength and mobility, while keeping pets at a healthy weight reduces unnecessary strain on their joints.
If you’ve noticed a change in the way your pet moves, speak to our team so we can assess what might be happening and discuss appropriate treatment and management.
Wet ground, mud, cold surfaces and, later in winter, salt and grit can all be hard on paws.
After walks, remove mud and debris from between your dog’s toes and dry their feet thoroughly. If you’ve walked on gritted or salted surfaces, rinse or wipe their paws so they don’t lick off any residue.
Regularly check for redness, cuts, foreign objects and dry or cracked pads. Persistent paw licking, limping or reluctance to walk can all indicate discomfort.
Long-haired pets may also develop mats and clumps of dried mud around their feet and legs, making regular grooming particularly important during winter.
A change in activity can easily lead to a change on the scales.
Dogs may get shorter walks when it’s cold and wet, while outdoor cats often spend much more time sleeping indoors. If their food and treats remain the same while activity decreases, weight can gradually creep up.
Maintaining a healthy weight is particularly important for pets with joint problems, as excess weight places additional strain on the body.
Unexplained weight loss is important too, particularly in an older pet. If you’re unsure whether your pet is a healthy weight or whether their diet still suits their age and lifestyle, ask us for advice.
Hydration isn’t just a summer consideration. Pets still need constant access to fresh water throughout winter.
Check outdoor bowls and water bottles during freezing conditions, particularly for rabbits and guinea pigs.
For cats that don’t naturally drink much, providing several bowls around the house or a pet drinking fountain may encourage them to drink.
And pay attention to changes. If your pet suddenly starts drinking significantly more or less than usual, it’s worth discussing with your vet, particularly in older animals.
Outdoor pets need particular attention as temperatures fall. Rabbit and guinea pig accommodation should be dry, weatherproof and protected from draughts while remaining adequately ventilated. Provide plenty of clean, dry bedding and somewhere sheltered to retreat.
Check food and water at least daily, particularly during freezing weather, and monitor appetite, behaviour and droppings.
Rabbits should be eating regularly. If your rabbit stops eating or producing droppings, contact us without hesitation. Remember, small furries still need to exercise so ensure they can exhibit their natural behaviours too from foraging, binkying and hopping.
Open fires, log burners, portable heaters and candles can cause burns, so keep pets at a safe distance and use fireguards where appropriate.
Antifreeze is another serious winter danger. Products containing ethylene glycol are extremely toxic, particularly to cats, and even small amounts can cause severe poisoning.
Store antifreeze securely and clean up spillages immediately. If you think your pet may have ingested antifreeze, contact us straight away rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.
Fleas and ticks aren’t exclusively a summer problem.
Central heating creates a warm environment in which fleas can continue their life cycle throughout winter, while ticks may remain active outdoors during milder periods. Worm risk also depends on your pet’s lifestyle rather than simply the season.
At Newton Clarke, we risk assess pets individually so their flea, tick and worm protection can be tailored to their needs.
