Curious cats, regal rabbits, gnaw-some guinea pigs and feral ferrets all love the great outdoors. But as the colder months set in, our beloved pets need a little extra TLC. Whether you have a dog, cat or small outdoor pet, it’s important they stay safe, warm and active as temperatures drop. Here’s our guide to keeping your outdoor friend’s content and comfortable this winter…
Freezing Feline Care
Just like people, cats are individual. Some love exploring outside, some barely put a paw through the cat flap and others don’t go out at all. If your cat enjoys going outside there is a lot you can do to help them through the colder months so they can continue their outdoor adventures.
Some cats like darker evenings because the mice come out earlier! With that in mind, it’s a good idea to buy a reflective collar so drivers can spot a bolting cat in the darkness (just make sure the collar is quick-release (the kind that unclips if your cat gets tangled). On really cold wintery nights we’d advise to keep your cat indoors, but if your feline friend is determined to continue with their outdoor adventures come rain or shine (we know how stubborn they can be!), make sure they have somewhere warm and sheltered. This is even more important if you don’t have a cat flap or if your cat flap freezes up.
While we’re on the topic of shelter, outdoor cats often take cover under cars to escape cold and wet weather, some may even try climbing inside the bonnet to be next to a warm engine. #RookesRecommends that you always check your car for feline visitors who may have climbed inside – try making lots of noise and knocking on the bonnet before you put the key in, letting cats know it’s time for them to move on.
When your pet cat does come inside, keep them cosy with a few extra blankets in their bed – if we’re wrapped up at night in thick duvet covers, why shouldn’t our pets be just as cosy? In fact, why not add a few cosy corners to your home for your cat to curl up in? Igloo beds in particular are ideal for cats in winter because they can snuggle down and get really warm.
Even if your cat usually goes to the toilet outside, it’s a good idea to provide a couple of litter trays inside the house so they don’t feel like they have to go outside when the weather is really bad, or when they can’t manage to dig themselves a little hole in the frozen soil.
Another key consideration to make over winter is exercise. It’s a good idea to get your cat some new toys to play with, or you could play together. This is especially important if your cat is going outside less when it’s cold. Cats are usually most active at dawn and dusk (prime hunting time) so try to make sure you play with them then.
When the snow falls our gardens look very picturesque, but it’s not always good news for our cats as snow can build up in their paws which can be quite uncomfortable. And, if your cat is out and about in the snow, they’re likely to pick up salt and grit from the roads too which can make their paws very sore. If snow, salt or grit is clogging up kitty’s paws, wash them in warm water – they might not like it, but it’s for their own good.
Help Out your Outdoor Pets
Rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and hens (to name a few!) can really feel the cold changes in weather. In fact, a sudden drop in temperature can be a real shock to their system. That said, there are a number of things you can do to help them through these chilly times…
If your pets normally live outdoors, think about bringing them inside or into a sheltered shed or car-free garage, getting them out of the wind, rain and snow. This is not a permanent solution as these furry creatures still need daylight. But for those extra cold nights or wet and windy days, your pet will appreciate the shelter.
If you can’t bring your small animals inside, then it’s worthwhile sealing their hutches from draughts and insulating the sides of their home with newspaper or an old duvet. Make sure you cover open fronts to protect them from direct inclement weather. But you must also provide plenty of ventilation. And, when the days are shorter, we must remember to put our outdoor pets away in their hutches earlier to keep them safe from predators.
Our tiny pets including hamsters, mice and rats should be kept indoors all year round, but when it’s particularly cold it’s a good idea to check their cages aren’t near any cold draughts. You might need to move their cage to a warmer part of the house and away from windows.
All pets should have extra bedding over the winter months, outdoor pets included. Make sure there’s plenty of bedding (typically shavings or straw) and that it’s deep enough for them to bury themselves and snuggle down.
F…F…F…Freezing Pond Fish
Freezing weather can be problematic for pond enthusiasts, but knowing how to maintain and care for your pond during the winter period will make this time of year much easier to handle.
Leave your pump running throughout winter to promote healthy bacteria and feed your fish less as the cold temperatures slow down their metabolism. It takes longer for fish to digest their food in cold seasons so to prevent any uneaten food from impacting your water quality, #RookesRecommends feeding your pond fish 2-3 times per week.
Changing your fish food is also essential during winter; Wheatgerm-based pond foods are formulated to aid digestion, helping their metabolism to adapt to the changes in their environment.
If you wake up one winter’s morning to find your pond has frozen over, do not break the ice or pour hot water over it. This will send shockwaves through the water and cause unnecessary stress to your fish which could be fatal.
It’s a wise idea to install a pond heater as this will prevent the water from freezing over and stop toxic gases from affecting the water. And, while you’re out there, remember to remove any dead or dying foliage from plants, as well as silt, debris and waste – a clean pond is a happy pond!
Pond plants play a vital role in maintaining a balance in the pond’s ecosystem and they should be looked after during the winter months too. Plants provide a natural filtration system helping to remove toxic chemicals from the water whilst providing shade and shelter to reduce stress in your pond fish. And they look good!
We hope you have found this article useful and you now feel ready to face winter head on! To stock up on reflective collars for cats, bedding for outdoor pets, winter warming accessories or to find a new food solution for your fish, pop into our High Street store where our animal-loving team are happy to help. See you soon!