Winter is here and all of us, even our four-legged friends, are feeling the drop in temperatures.
It’s important to be aware of this, particularly for certain breeds of dogs and cats and those that are elderly or arthritic, says Nadine Dixon from Geelong Animal Welfare Society.
Age and health definitely play a part in increasing the chill factor.
“If I had an elderly dog, I would make sure that its bed was an elevated bed,” she says. “If an outside dog, it needs somewhere elevated … off the concrete.
“If the dog is old or a little bit arthritic, it’s good to have a jacket on them to keep that warmth in.”
Nadine says arthritic and elderly dogs should have regular vet checks. Very cold weather can exacerbate a medical condition. Options such as stretcher beds are good for outside dogs, she says.
Some breeds will feel the cold more than others. “The short-coated dogs are very perceptive of cold weather [as are small] dogs like the little Maltese-crosses and shih tzu crosses,” Nadine says.
Owners should put coats or jackets on these dogs to help keep them at a “constant, comfortable” body temperature, especially if the dog has had its coat trimmed.
“It’s important for them to have a coat after they get their hair cut,” Nadine says. A jacket is an easy solution, especially in winter.
Whether a dog has an elevated, warm bed on the verandah or an indoor bed is a personal decision for owners. “It really depends on what people see their dog as,” Nadine says.
“Dogs are companions. They love to be in the household, they love to be a part of the family. And so do cats. Generally, there’s nothing greater for them than to be stretched out in front of a fireplace with their blanket or their jacket on … it’s them being a part of the family in the house.”
There’s an extensive range of dog jackets, coats, blankets and fashion accessories available. They range from on-trend tartan to denim jackets, even Driza-Bones.
“Some [dogs] have two jackets,” Nadine says. “They have an outside jacket that’s semi or fully waterproof, and they have something knitted or fleecy for indoors.”
Cats, meanwhile, will usually shun anything wearable. They’re happier with the coat they were born with.
Melissa Hancock, from Petbarn Waurn Ponds, says cats will usually grow a winter coat, or an undercoat, at this time of year. Certain breeds, however, such as the Cornish rex and sphynx, do not and will feel the cold.
Nadine suggests cat igloos (“where they can also feel more safe and secure”) as a wintry retreat. She’s found they work well although, she says, some cats will still “squeeze you out of the bed to get under the Doona”.
Stockists:
- GAWS / gaws.org.au
- IDPet / idpet.com.au
- Petbarn / petbarn.com.au
- PETstock / petstock.com.au
- FuzzYard / fuzzyard.com
- Driza-Bone / drizabone.com.au
