‘Paws for thought’: Avoid SAD pets this winter

With winter firmly set in, the tail-wagging companionship of a loyal dog or addictive purr of a feline friend is just the ticket to lighten the mood, making those dark cold nights all the more bearable.

But, as with their owners, it seems even the happiest canines and fluffiest felines are likely to become a little down in the mouth throughout the winter months.

Co-op Pet Insurance’s resident vet, Matt Brash, star of long running series ‘Zoo Vet at Large’ said: “Although there is no evidence to show that pets suffer from what is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), as people often do, they are known to echo humans, becoming downbeat during the winter months.

“I know from my own pets, and ones I have seen as a vet, this is a time of year can be really dull for pets. They have had a great time over Christmas, lots of walks, and extra treats, and now that we have all gone back to work they can often get neglected. Boredom can lead to bad habits, like chewing the furniture, or messing in the house, so it is important to make sure that you keep them mentally and physically stimutated.”

Co-op Insurance and Matt Brash offer the following guide to keeping your pets happy and well during the winter months:

Tone down the treats - If you and your pet have had one too many treats over the festive period, be sure to get them back on the straight and narrow with a nutritionally appropriate diet, in addition to regular walks or exercise.

Winter walks - As we’re all are proneto hibernating more in the winter months, due to the dark nights and poorer weather, we might walk our pets less, making them prone to putting on weight. This can lead to sad dogs, so it is important to make sure they still get their walks regardless of the dark nights. If you are unable to walk them, be sure to cut down on their food intake.

Flea treatments - As the weather gets colder, we turn our central heating on to warm the house more frequently, however this can wake up dormant fleas, and so there may be an increase in flea activity in the house, leading to itching dogs, and people getting bitten. It is important to make sure flea treatments are up to date.

Wash paws - If the weather gets really cold suddenly, then salt will be spread out on the roads and pavements to melt ice, this can be very sore on dogs and cats paws, leading to chemical burns. It is a good idea to bathe dogs feet when they come back in for a walk, and same with cats, when they’ve been out.

Wrap up warm - Short-coated dog breeds, like Boxers, Greyhounds and Chihuahuas struggle to cope with the cold, so it is important to wrap them up with a coat when they venture outside for walks.

Stay away from frozen lakes or ponds, making sure you keep your dog on a lead if you are near frozen water. If they happen to run on to the ice, don’t go after them, try to beckon them back from the edge of the water.

Bad habits - Both dogs and cats will spend more time indoors, not getting walks, which can lead to boredom, they can then start developing bad habits like chewing things like shoes, the carpet. So it’s a good idea to make sure that they also have lots of things to do to keep them occupied.

Co-op Insurance offers cover for both cats and dogs, which not only covers for unexpected vet bills, following an accident or an ongoing medical condition, but also for a range of other events, including the disappearance of a pet, cancellation of a holiday resulting in a pet coming out of care and unexpected vet fees whilst travelling.