Now the evenings are darker and the nights are getting colder, there are a few things for us to consider for our furry friends.

Walking in snow and grit – Once temperatures drop, grit spread on roads can be irritating to paws, so clean dogs paws after walks and be mindful if your cat seems bothered by their paws after they have come in from outdoors.

Walking in the dark – Ensure you and your pooch are well visible when walking in the dark. Consider reflective/ light up clothing and lead/collar, always walk towards oncoming traffic and keep your dog on a short lead when alongside the road.

Keeping warm – elderly or thin pets may struggle to keep warm so a coat can be nice to keep them comfortable outside. It is also important to ensure your cats (and dogs) microchips are up to date in case they get lost seeking warmth elsewhere.

Antifreeze – is highly toxic to dogs and cats. It is really important to store anti-freeze out of their reach and rinse away any spillages. If you know your pet has had access to anti-freeze please contact us immediately. Unfortunately, most of the time we might not be aware of anti-freeze ingestion but the initial signs can include vomiting, wobbliness and weakness.

Small Furries – Rabbits and Guinea Pigs in outside hutches need to be kept warm. Provide extra bedding, insulate hutches whilst making sure they remain well ventilated or bring them inside.

Stressors. The festive season can cause pets stress due to unfamiliar routine or visitors. Ensure they have a quiet area to retreat to if there is too much activity for them and consider using pheromone diffusers or nutraceuticals to ease anxiety

If you have any questions or would like further advise please contact us on 01606 880890 or 01606 717969

Noise fears are common in cats and dogs with fireworks being one of the most common triggers, especially around this time of year. Managing these fears is important to prevent an increased fear response year after year which often involves short and long term steps.

What can you do this weekend?

Provide a suitable space for your pets to hide where they will not be exposed to as much audible and visual stimulation. Ideally this would be somewhere your pet is familiar with to help them feel safer. The use of canine and feline pheromone diffusers or nutraceuticals can also help to ease anxiety. Some radio stations will play relaxing music to help during firework time too.

Avoid excessive reassurance as this can trigger further concern, but some dogs will seek reassurance from their owner and it is important not to ignore them if this is the case. Some dogs may be able to be distracted from the noises by games and enrichment activities. Make sure the house is secure so no escapes can be made and its also helpful to ensure your microchip details are up to date.

Cats will likely find a place to hide and it is best if you do not encourage them out of their hiding spots as this will cause further stress. Make sure your cat is indoors in advance of fireworks starting and secure all exits and cat flaps.

Desensitisation is also an important long term step to tackling noise and firework phobias but this is something that needs to be done over the year. Calling and speaking to a nurse for more information on desensitisation can help you prepare better for next year.

Don’t forget about rabbits and smaller pets too, especially if they are housed outside. Covering their hutch, providing extra bedding and hiding spaces for them, or bringing them indoors is a good idea.

Call and speak to us if you are worried about noise phobias or firework fears, we are open over the weekend to help and we can provide nutraceuticals to ease stress in your pets. Call 01606 880890