Winter Warming Tips for Pets

Author: Amanda Date Posted:23 June 2020

Whether you love the drop in temperature or dread the chill in the air, it is a good idea to be prepared to keep your pets comfortable in the chilly weather. Depending on where you live in Australia or Worldwide will play a large part on the preparations you need to make for your furry friend.

The Vet Shed has prepared some handy information to keep your furry friend as comfortable as possible.

SORE JOINTS AND STIFF LIMBS

Like humans the cold weather can wreak havoc on your pet's diseased joints, mobility and cause a great deal of discomfort for them. With preparation and planning, you will be able to ensure you keep your cat and dog comfortable throughout these chilly months.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Osteoarthritis in dogs and cats is a common and painful condition. The most common arthritis is the type that is related to age, or wear and tear. When the cartilage between the joints begins to erode over your pet’s life or due to an injury, the bones can come in contact with each other, causing great discomfort for your pet. Although arthritis is a progressive disease without a cure, some of the pain can be alleviated; in some cases, the disease’s progress can even be slowed.
Horses can also suffer from lameness due to a joint injury or age related changes. This can lead to Osteoarthritis and cause your horse great discomfort and pain.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases in canines, affecting approximately 25% of the total population
Dogs over 7 years are 50% more likely to suffer from arthritis.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT MY PET MAY BE SUFFERING FROM ARTHRITIS?

Stiffness
Difficulty rising from their bed
Licking of limbs
Decrease willingness to play or jump
Favouring of one limb
Difficulty going up and down stairs
Reduced stamina with exercise
Unwillingness to jump, cantor or gallop

WHAT CAN I DO TO ALLEVIATE MY PET’S DISCOMFORT?

SUPPLEMENTS AND MEDICATION

There are many supplements that can help ease the inflammation and discomfort on your pets’ joints. Don't let your pet suffer unnecessarily when there are a range of products that can help keep the bounce in their step!

4Cyte for Dogs is a revolutionary product designed to work to improve joint health and reduce arthritic symptoms. This product contains Epiitalis, which is a proprietary plant extract patented for its ability to proliferate chondrocyte cells for cartilage regeneration.

4cyte is easy to administer to your dog once daily in chicken flavoured granules.

4cyte for horses is a great product to use to help address symptoms such as stiffness, lameness, an unwillingness to jump and mild to moderate osteoarthritis. This is available in two formulations: a raspberry flavoured granule and an apple flavoured gel.

*4cyte is currently not available for our feline friends in Australia* Please refer to the products below on what products are available

Glucosamine and Chondroitin are used in many other products, much like in human joint supplements. These two ingredients help to nourish and rebuild cartilage. Other supplements that have proven useful for arthritis include green-lipped mussel extract and omega-3 fatty acids to help relieve inflammation and joint pain.

Products that may be beneficial to your dog or cat come in a variety of formulations: including:

Powders which can be mixed with food

Joint Guard Powder for Dogs, Cats and Horses
Sasha’s Blend Powder
Glyde Powder for Dogs
Pernaease Powder for Dogs
Rose Hip Vital for Dogs
Shark Net Joint Supplement for Horses
Cosequin Powder for Horses

Chews & Treat formulations

Tablets/Capsules

Oils

Paw Fish Oil 500

A trip to the local veterinarian is recommended if you are unsure if your pet is suffering from arthritis, or you are unsure which product would be beneficial to their symptoms.

EXERCISE & PLAY

Ensure your pet’s weight is kept under control – carrying excess weight can place extra strain on joints, especially if your pet already suffers from arthritis. It may be a good idea to check with your veterinarian if your dog or cat needs a specially formulated diet for weight loss or weight control. Hill’s Pet Nutrition have a great new diet for dogs and cats called ‘Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution’ especially designed for obese pets.
Maintain your pet’s mobility with regular exercise. It is much better to take your dog on short, gentle walk (preferably no hills) than erase exercise from their routine. Cats can benefit from short play times with their owners with the use of Frolicat products or Go Cat Go Wands Or T & T Wands to entice play.

BUT MY PET HAS FUR, THEY DON’T FEEL THE COLD!

Think again!

Just because our pets have fur does not mean that they are perfectly comfortable in the cold weather. Left outside pets can become cold, wet and may develop hypothermia. Even our Hairless & Short Coated Breeds, Puppies and Older Pets feel the cold.

BEDDING & SHELTER

Elevate your pet’s bed off the floor to make it more comfortable for them to rise from their bedding.
If your dog sleeps outside ensure they have a kennel that is elevated, is protected from the elements and contains warm comfortable bedding.
Avoid cold drafts near doorways

Beds specifically designed to help ease joint pain and stiffness such as YD Osteo Bedding are a fantastic option, and your pet will thank you for it. Made with memory foam, they contour to your pet's body, therefore optimising support it can give, eliminating all pressure points your pet's body is subjected to. Zeez Ortho Memory Foam Mats are also a great option for a spot for you pet to rest.

Cats love a good hiding spot and warm place to sleep. The T & T Cat Caves are an ideal option for your feline.

Aspen Self Warming Beds have a layer of self warming material that reflects your pet's body heat with no electricity required
Use heating pads such as Snugglesafe Heat Pads for dogs and cats (Cute Covers available) or Warm A Pet Deluxe Pads to give your pet a warm spot to rest and ease sore joints
Ensure your horse has protection from the elements. Horses can quickly lose body condition when they are using their energy to keep warm.

DRESSING THE PART

Dog coats and vests are not just a fashion statement. They provide your dog with comfort and relief from the winter chill, just as a jumper does for us.

We have a range of dog coats that are not only stylish, but also are functional and keep your dog feeling nice and warm. Although breeds such as Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and St Bernards may be able to tolerate the drop in temperature, dogs that have difficulty retaining heat due to their natural body shape and short hair, such as Whippets and Italian Greyhounds and particularly those housed outside will certainly benefit from winter apparel. So too will puppies and senior dogs suffering from chronic illnesses including arthritis. We have so many dog coats - Shop them here!

Horses will also benefit from a winter rug during the colder months. These can provide protection from wind and rain and help a horse maintain body condition. It is important to note that the rugs should be checked daily.

Check out these great Winter Rugs for Horses Here

We hope with these handy tips that you and your pet enjoy the winter months ahead!