RAMBO RAMBLES ABOUT… WINTER TIPS!
- TAKE NOTE HUMANS!
I can’t say I have a favourite season… mainly because I stay far away from the outside world. I’m more of a sofa and bed kind of cat. Eat, sleep, purr, repeat.
But my sources tell me winter is here. And specially for you, a responsible carer of four-legged companions, here are my top tips for pet care this winter!
Rambo’s Winter Pet Care Tips
1. KEEP ACTIVE INDOORS.
If your pet is spending less time outside now that it’s dark and cold, you need to be providing them with indoor activities. This includes BOTH physical and mental activities!
PHYSICAL:
Tug of war, hide and seek, home obstacle course, dancing, wrestling.
Although as a fat cat, I can’t say I’ve personally tried any of these, but my research shows they are highly enjoyable.
However, physical activity can be limited in the house (especially with those barbaric canines). Do consider doing mentally stimulating activities too! Enriching and engaging the mind is super-duper important to keep us furry ones mentally healthy.
MENTAL:
Find the treat, puzzle feeders, enrichment toys, learning a new trick.
Rambo recommends:
A SNUFFLE MAT!
A great mentally engaging activity that involves food foraging!
TREAT TOYS!
Rather than giving your pets treats just like that, why not make them work for it?
Keeps them physically and mentally active.
2. WE HATE, I repeat: HATE HATE HATE, FLEAS.
Fleas do NOT go dormant in the winter! These little annoying stupid things find ways into our homes and comfy furniture where it is WARM. They invade our space and suck our blood and can cause extreme discomfort.
Please remember to keep your pets treated for fleas throughout winter!
3. ANTIFREEZE IS ABOUT!
Ethylene glycol is a dangerous poison to us four-legged ones. It gets used more in winter, as it is found in antifreeze and de-icer products. We don’t know any better to be honest and lick it up if we come across it…because it tastes sweet!
It can cause pretty bad tummy upsets (vomiting, diarrhoea), seizures and tremors, and kidney damage or in severe cases…kidney failure and death.
Keep any antifreeze far out of reach of your pets, and if you do use a de-icer on your car on a frosty morning, wash away whatever falls off…as a curious cat may come by and lick at it once you’ve driven off! (Not me though, I stay inside).
Want to keep your pet safe and know more about common pet poisons? Click here
4. WATCH OUR SOFT, OH SO FRAGILE PAWS!
Mainly for the doggos that go on walks… cold surfaces, snow, ice, and salt can all cause paw discomfort and damage. If walking in snow, keeping fur around the paws trimmed can prevent little ice balls from forming on the fur.
Alternatively, have adequate paw protection and wipe paws down after walks!
Check out what’s available online
5. HYPOTHERMIA AIN’T COOL.
Yes, we have nice coats of fur…but we get cold too! Cats are smarter, we just stay inside if it’s cold out. But foolish dogs still excitedly await their daily walks, even if it’s freezing outside!
Well, the walk will do them good anyway. But just be sure to throw a jumper or coat on your pooch if out for a long walk or if you notice that he/she is getting chilly.
Small dogs and those with short coats are more susceptible to a chill, and hypothermia is a pretty dangerous thing. Signs of hypothermia setting in: shivering, weakness, shallow breathing, lack of mental awareness.
Rambo recommends:
A QUALITY DOG COAT!
With a waterproof surface and cosy fleece interior, these Ancol coats have been used by happy dogs for years! It’s also a very smart looking coat.
Be sure to measure your pooch and get the right size!
Leave a comment