With snow forecast across Great Britain soon, the RSPCA has issued guidance to help pet parents protect their animals from dangerous winter conditions.
The UK Met Office’s long-range forecasts predict increasingly wet and windy conditions will sweep across the UK from northwest to southeast late in the week. Ahead of this, the UK may experience a brief period of colder weather driven by southeasterly winds. There’s also a slight possibility of an easterly wind shift that could bring snow showers to parts of the country.
The RSPCA’s advice focuses on pets of all kinds including dogs, cats,horses, birds, rabbits and more.
Dogs
While your dog may be curious about ice on the ground, the RSPCA warned to keep your dog away from ponds and lakes that are iced over as thin ice may break under their weight. If it’s snowing outside, watch out for your dogs’ paws becoming compacted with snow, which is uncomfortable for them.
A few other things to watch out in the cold weather include antifreeze and rock salt, as it can be poisonous to pets. Wash your dog’s paws thoroughly after walking them in areas that may have been gritted with rock salt.
For those with older pets, consider buying a special coat or jumper to keep them warm. Stay safe when walking your dog in the dark. Wear reflective clothing and think about a reflective collar or light for your dog’s collar. Coats and jumpers should also be considered for dogs who may struggle with the weather, for example dogs with thin coats, or smaller dogs.
Cats
The RSPCA’s warning about rock salt and antifreeze also applies to cats. Keep an eye on your cat outdoors, as rock salt and antifreeze can be poisonous to them as well.
Check your feline friend’s bedding to ensure it is away from cold draughts and stays warm and dry. In the coldest months, your cat needs to have access to a warm environment, such as your home or another heated indoor area.
In cold weather, cats may decide to take shelter under your car, including crawling under the bonnet and wheel arches to soak up the warmth from the car engine and tyres.
Before setting off in your car, make sure you tap the bonnet of your car and check around the wheels and on top of the tyres before you start the engine and drive.
Rabbits and guinea pigs
Other outdoor pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, need extra bedding such as dust-free hay in the cold winter months. Keep their home protected from bad weather by using blankets or covers, to help insulate their sleeping area or shelter in the winter months. Remember to make sure these areas are still well-ventilated.
At the same time, keep their enclosures clean, as wet bedding will freeze on cold nights and this could make them ill.
Make sure to keep your pets dry amid rainy weather by making sure the indoor area of their enclosure has a sloped roof to allow water to drain away. The RSPCA advises to raise it off the ground by at least four inches and place it in a sheltered position, facing away from wind and rain.
For outdoor pets, make sure to always have fresh clean water to drink and check at least twice a day that it isn’t frozen.
As the temperature drops, consider moving their enclosure into an outhouse shed or unused garage. If you decide to bring your rabbits or guinea pigs indoors, they’ll need plenty of time and room to exercise in a safe and secure environment.
Birds
For those with birds in aviaries, coops or runs outside, the RSPCA advises protecting them from cold weather by giving them plenty of extra dry, warm bedding, such as straw, and cover their enclosures to keep the wind and rain out.
Birds will eat more to keep warm in cold conditions, so make sure they always have access to plenty of food and fresh water and make sure their water doesn’t freeze over.
Fish
If you have a fishpond in your garden, check it each day to make sure the surface isn’t entirely frozen over, as poisonous gases can build up under the ice, the RSPCA advises.
Do not break the ice, as this can harm the fish, but carefully place a saucepan of hot water on the surface to gently melt a hole in the ice. Never tip boiling water straight onto the pond either, as this can also harm or kill any fish living there.
Horses and ponies
For those who keep their horses and ponies kept outside, the RSPCA advises they need access to shelter and constant fresh water and some may need a waterproof rug to protect them from cold and wet weather. Provide extra feed and good quality long fibre, as the grass is often sparse. Check water troughs and buckets are clear of ice.
If it’s wet and muddy, regularly check hooves, for problems such as abscesses and loose shoes, and legs, for any signs of mud fever. Owners should ensure horses have access to a dry resting area, out of the mud.
When riding in the winter, beware of getting your horse sweated up as they can easily catch a chill. Always wear reflective clothing when riding on the roads.
To keep up with the UK weather, check the Met Office.