Winter pet care

Our pets often need a little extra TLC during the winter to ensure they stay fit and well during the cold months.

Here are a few points to consider:

Getting out there!

If your dogs are anything like mine, they'll see the frosty winter mornings, and think: "Yeah right, you'll be walking on your own this morning!"

It can be difficult to get motivated, but once you are out and about, the scenery in our area really is beautiful. Long walks in the beautiful grounds of Himley Hall, Sandwell Valley Park, or Baggeridge Country Park, are perfect places to blow off the cobwebs and take in the wildlife and nature, while keeping our dogs fit and healthy.

Joint care

If you have an elderly pet, their joints will tend to bother them more during winter months, just like with humans. A dietary supplement may help. Why not try a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement in their food. This can help ease swollen joints, and ease arthritis pain in cold damp weather.

Young pets may also benefit from a supplement. A puppy or young adult dog will appreciate a cod liver or salmon oil addition to their diet. This will keep their coat glossy and healthy.

Fur and skin

The winter can really take its toll on our pets' skin and coats. Dogs that live indoors will often get dry or flakey skin, and their coats may become brittle. This is because we crank up the central heating when the weather begins to get cold. A salmon oil supplement works great for this.

Grooming is another essential factor to consider. Thick coats such as those on Golden Retrievers can build up a very thick winter undercoat. This needs to be groomed regularly, to ensure the undercoat isn't blocking fresh air getting to the skin. Dogs that do not moult, such as Shih Tzu's, will need regular, professional grooms to prevent matting. A well groomed coat will keep your pet warm. Matted hair chokes the skin, and when wet, will hold the water against the skin, preventing it from drying out and can lead to skin problems.

Outdoor Pets

Having rescued and rehabilitated 13 ferrets from Wolverhampton Ferret Rescue, I know just how difficult it may seem to keep our outdoor pets cosy and well through the winter months.

Hutches need to be checked daily, for any cracks or leaks that could let water in. Most rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets will love you lots more for extra bedding! Just make sure the bedding is checked and changed regularly to prevent damp.

They will also eat more to keep warm, so leave them lots of extra goodies to keep full and occupied!

Crufts 2015

It is that time of year again where all dog lovers will be pampering their pooches, hoping to make their beloved canine companions look somewhat like the ones soon to be shown on the TVs. I'm talking about CRUFTS!

This is my favourite time of year, and the countdown to Crufts is like the countdown to Christmas for me! I am really looking forward to sharing all the new pet products and photos from a dog lover's paradise! I will be at the NEC from March 5-8, helping out on my friend's dog grooming stall. I can't wait to share this with you all!