5 Tips To Protect Your Pet From The Cold

Depending on the region you live in, the weather in the fall and winter months can be detrimental to your pet's health esteemed household members. This also depends on the breed of dog or cat, its coat, age, health, etc. Here are a few tips to protect pets from the cold.

1. Ensure a covered, comfortable and warm place

The place where it usually rests has to be isolated from the outside, be comfortable enough for the pet to go there on its own and be able to relax or sleep. It also has to be at a good temperature at which the animal does not tremble. To protect your pet from the cold, you can place blankets in its favorite resting place or keep the house at an appropriate room temperature with the help of a heater.

2. Take advantage of the warmer hours to walk

Around noon or when we see a sunnier environment will be the best time to walk our dog. Furthermore, all animals need at least a small amount of sun exposure to be able to produce vitamin D , essential for functions such as the absorption of calcium in the body. On colder or rainier days we can use a dog coat or raincoat.

3. Offer good nutrition

A balanced , good quality diet reinforces the pet's health against diseases and keeps its defenses high . A good part of the energy we produce in winter is used to maintain body temperature, so it is important to provide our animal with the calories it needs through a rich and varied diet. There are also supplements, special for dogs and cats, to strengthen the immune system in the most difficult times such as winter that we can consult with our veterinarian.

4. Be careful with shaved heads

Dogs have a thermoregulatory second layer of hair, which keeps them cool or warm. Very aggressive shaves eliminate the hair's natural ability to maintain an adequate body temperature .

Each type of hair has specific care, if you want to cut your dog's hair we advise you to first consult with a professional groomer. At Vitalcan we have a qualified professional in canine and feline grooming and they will advise you on the technique that best suits your pet.

5. Keep the vaccination schedule up to date

In winter, people and pets may have lower defenses so exposure to diseases may be greater , so it is important to keep the vaccination schedule up to date . For example, it is quite common, during the winter season, to see dogs suffer from the so-called kennel cough.

This disease is similar to the flu, and dogs can catch it anywhere, parks, streets... although it is common in places where there are many crowds of dogs, such as kennels or residences. It causes very sudden and frequent coughs and it is important to treat it before it can worsen to pneumonia.