Rochester Veterinary Practice’s veterinary nurse Eliza Taylor with Winston.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Rochester Veterinary Practice has tips for keeping your pets warm as winter begins.
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Dr Merryn Lourensz works at Rochester Veterinary Practice and has advice for pets big and small.
For dogs, Dr Lourensz recommends jackets and coats to keep our furry friends happy in the colder months, especially older dogs.
“Most young animals can cope with it, it doesn’t hurt for them to turn their fat over a little bit,” she said.
“But for older animals, coats are really good.
“There’s heaps of coats out there. There’s thin, little ones that you can use inside, or there’s waterproof ones.”
Veterinary nurse Eliza Taylor with Winston.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Heated beds, wheat bags and extra blankets can help cats and dogs to stay cosy.
“For cats, a heated mat can be good,” Dr Lourensz said.
“You’ve got to be a little bit careful that they don’t (overheat) or short out. If you’ve got a chewing cat or a chewing puppy, don’t use them at all.
“Wheat bags are pretty safe; you can heat them up in the microwave and use them to keep pets warm.
“Being out of the wind is probably one of the biggest things, particularly for older animals.”
It is important that arthritic pets be particularly taken care of during winter, including avoiding early morning walks.
“Animals with arthritis really benefit from staying warm as well,” Dr Lourensz said.
“We find with hips and that, coats are really good as they cover that area.
“A lot of people tend to walk (their dogs) first thing in the morning, for arthritic animals that’s their worst time. That’s when they’re sorest, and they tend to warm up in the day.
“Afternoons and the warmest time of the day is best for those pets.”
For reptiles, like lizards and snakes, Dr Lourensz recommends using a thermostat and a temperature gauge.
“We’ve got a lizard at home, and over the summer, the heat lamp doesn’t come on at all, and then as it gets cool you see it coming on more and more,” she said.
Pets can be expected to eat more in the winter months and reptiles may go into hibernation.
“Animals will often eat more over winter because their metabolism needs to keep them warm,” Dr Lourensz.
“Some reptiles will go into hibernation, not all of them need to.”
Rochester Vet, pet supply stores, online sites, and other local vets stock a range of different coats and beds for pets of all shapes and sizes.
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