Weather warnings are likely to stay in place for the rest of the week as weather from the east batters the UK leaving parts of Britain colder than the arctic circle. We all know that this will cause chaos on the roads and concern for elderly or vulnerable members of the community, but its also a time that we need to be aware of our pets.
Yes, our furry friends do have thick coats, but they are as risk of frostbite and other illnesses brought on from the weather if they aren’t properly looked after during the cold snap.
Smaller pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable during extreme weather, especially if they’re kept outdoors. With weather extremes, it’s advised to keep them indoors and to give them extra layers, coats for pets can be picked up fairly cheaply online or even made for those more dexterous among us.
Another thing to watch out for is that cats while roaming outside can hide in the hoods of cars, wheel arches or try and get near the engines to keep warm which can cause injury or death when the car is started. Banging loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine can help scare off any animals. Antifreeze is also poisonous for cats, so be aware of pets that are outside when you’re maintaining your cars.
Animals burn more calories when it’s cold, so be prepared to give them extra food and keep their water bowls topped up to keep dehydration at bay. Make sure any bird feeders are kept clear to prevent infection to wild animals during the cold weather too, as although they’re used to braving the elements, unusually cold weather can cause them the same problems as your pets.
