5 Tips to keep in mind for your Pets during winters

From the snowy countries to the mildly chilly streets of Mumbai city, winters are beautiful in their own way. With the change in the season, there needs to be a change in one more thing, the daily routine of your furry friend. A small set of changes for their well-being and having safe, comfortable and happy days before the blooming of the spring go a long way.

The efforts put in by you might not be too many but do require a little attention. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Attention to the paws

The cold temperatures have the tendency to affect the legs, tail and ears of pets. Although it gets difficult to do much when it comes to protecting the ears and tail as none can be covered up completely, you can still try to keep the pets indoors and avoid very long walks during the cold seasons to keep them safe.

When it comes to paws, just as we humans develop cracks, pets may also suffer from cracked pads. For the cold winter streets, pet shoes help from catching them a cold. But if you are living in a country where the roads are all covered in ice, it is best to rinse or wipe the paws post a walk. This also helps to make sure that the salt on the ice is removed to avoid the pets from licking it off and fall sick. Booties and short walks are the best options to go for.

• Adjust the calories in the diet

With the change in the season, the calories need to be adjusted and the intake of certain nutrients need to be ensured. During the winters, there is a reduced activity which needs the right percentage of vitamins, minerals and calories. Some dogs love the winters and cannot stop themselves from going out and playing. With this, the physical activities increase and thus more intake of some foods need to be ensured.

The best way to set the correct diet is by visiting your vet and consulting with them with the respect of the health history.

• Keep them away from heaters

Pets, especially cats, tend to find a warm spot and cuddle there during the cold weathers. This increases the risks of burns because it is difficult for them to anticipate how hot the heaters can get. The pet parents need to somehow make sure that they make these places like the stoves, radiators and fireplaces are inaccessible to the furry ones for their safety.

• Reduce the frequency of baths

Pets need to bathe for the obvious smelly reasons, but during winters it can lead to dryness on the skin. This dryness creates discomfort and this makes moisturizing their coats and skin very important. In some cases, baths can be scheduled after a little longer period but in cases when the pet has some allergy and needs to shower often, visiting the vet for a recommended shampoo that ensures moisturization is the best option.

• Avoid off-leash time

Some pets might love the off-leash time but winters call for a change in that habit. If you are living in a city where it snows, running on snow that might be half-melted might increase the risk of getting hurt. There is also another danger of getting hit by a car and possibly the snow plows.

Keep these tips in mind to make sure that proper care of the pet is taken so that they can have a safe and comfortable winter.