Prepare Your Pet for Winter

With the weather cooling down, we often start to notice our older pets starting to slow down as well.

With the weather cooling down, we often start to notice our older pets starting to slow down as well. Slowing down isn’t “just a sign of getting older”. It’s important that if you start to notice changes such as sleeping more, exercising less, changes in eating or drinking habits, or changes in toileting that you book your pet in to see us. Whether it’s arthritis, or diseases such as diabetes, hormonal problems, dental disease, or something else, we can help you keep your pet happy and comfortable.

While this doesn’t replace veterinary care, with the cold weather approaching there’s also plenty you can do at home to help your pet!

Comfortable Beds

In addition to the Zydax injections to slow the progression of arthritis, and pain relief if required, make sure your home is arthritis friendly if you have a senior pet. Make sure your pet has a warm bed away from cold draughts and out of the winter weather. Their bed should be soft enough to cushion sore joints, but not so soft that they struggle to stand up and get out of bed. If you have stairs or steps around the house, a ramp can help your pet get around without hurting their sore joints.

Appropriate Exercise

Exercise is important for your pet, even when it’s cold outside. Short, regular walks every day are better for older pets with arthritis, as too much exercise will leave them sore, but not enough activity will leave them even more stiff and sore when they do get up.

Weight Management

Cold weather often means that pets are getting less exercise and eating more, which can lead to weight gain. This makes pets more prone to a large number of health problems. It is particularly a problem for arthritic pets, as their sore legs struggle with the extra weight. If your pet tends to pack on the pounds in winter, make sure you reduce the amount of food (including treats!) that they get at this time of year. If you’re concerned, come see our nurses for complimentary weight checks!

Reduced Eyesight or Hearing Loss

 

Often, pets will have a case of selective attention – you might notice that they can hear the treat packet from the other side of the building, but mysteriously can’t hear their name when it’s time for tablets! If they’re truly starting to have difficultly hearing, you can communicate with hand signals rather than voice commands – old pets can learn new tricks, and the extra mental stimulation is helpful. If their vision is failing, it’s important to get it checked by your vet, as there could be a treatable underlying cause. Blind pets will cope well around their home if you avoid making any radical changes to the layout of the house. Memory and their sense of smell often means that owners don’t notice their pet is blind until they take them somewhere new!

With the weather cooling down, we often start to notice our older pets starting to slow down as
well. Slowing down isn’t “just a sign of getting older”. It’s important that if you start to notice
changes such as sleeping more, exercising less, changes in eating or drinking habits, or changes in
toileting that you book your pet in to see us. Whether it’s arthritis, or diseases such as diabetes,
hormonal problems, dental disease, or something else, we can help you keep your pet happy and
comfortable.
While this doesn’t replace veterinary care, with the cold weather approaching there’s also plenty
you can do at home to help your pet!
Comfortable Beds
In addition to the Zydax injections to slow the progression of arthritis, and pain relief if required,
make sure your home is arthritis friendly if you have a senior pet. Make sure your pet has a warm
bed away from cold draughts and out of the winter weather. Their bed should be soft enough to
cushion sore joints, but not so soft that they struggle to stand up and get out of bed. If you have
stairs or steps around the house, a ramp can help your pet get around without hurting their sore
joints.
Appropriate Exercise
Exercise is important for your pet, even when it’s cold outside. Short, regular walks every day are
better for older pets with arthritis, as too much exercise will leave them sore, but not enough
activity will leave them even more stiff and sore when they do get up.
Weight Management
Cold weather often means that pets are getting less exercise and eating more, which can lead to
weight gain. This makes pets more prone to a large number of health problems. It is particularly a
problem for arthritic pets, as their sore legs struggle with the extra weight. If your pet tends to pack
on the pounds in winter, make sure you reduce the amount of food (including treats!) that they get
at this time of year. If you’re concerned, come see our nurses for complimentary weight checks!
Reduced Eyesight or Hearing Loss
Often, pets will have a case of selective attention – you might notice that they can hear the treat
packet from the other side of the building, but mysteriously can’t hear their name when it’s time for
tablets! If they’re truly starting to have difficultly hearing, you can communicate with hand signals
rather than voice commands – old pets can learn new tricks, and the extra mental stimulation is
helpful. If their vision is failing, it’s important to get it checked by your vet, as there could be a
treatable underlying cause. Blind pets will cope well around their home if you avoid making any
radical changes to the layout of the house. Memory and their sense of smell often means that
owners don’t notice their pet is blind until they take them somewhere new!