Winter cat, dog & rabbit welfare tips

Some people will tell you that winter is their favourite month of the year, because they love their winter wardrobe, frosty mornings, and the possibility of snow; sound familiar? As pets can’t tell us if they are fans of winter too, they rely on their owners to look after their health and wellbeing in the coldest months of the year. 

With this in mind, our Bromsgrove & Hagley nursing teams have put their heads together and come up with a helpful guide for pet owners this season - get our top winter cat, dog, and rabbit welfare tips in this handy download: 

Get our winter welfare tips 

Preventing winter cat, dog & rabbit health issues 

Our Bromsgrove & Hagley nurses understand the hazards and health issues pets face in winter only too well. Here are just some of the conditions our vets see in-practice during this time of year in Worcestershire: 

• Poisoning from licking antifreeze, chewing on poinsettias, and eating chocolate. 
• Weight gain from doing less and eating more - don’t we all in winter? 
• Painful joints (typically in arthritic pets) aggravated by the cold. 
• Irritated skin from the temperature difference between indoors and out. 
• Damaged paws from freezing and salt-gritted pavements. 

These problems can all be prevented as our Head Nurse Chrissie explains. All pets need a little extra TLC over the winter months, whether it’s adjustments to their food and routine, extra warmth, or just closer monitoring to check they’re doing ok. 

For advice on how to take care of cats in winter, dog paw care, and how to keep rabbits warm, take a look at our handy winter pet welfare guide. 

If you have any concerns, book an appointment with one of our vets who will be able to help you and your pet. 

Download our handy winter guide