RSPCA tips for keeping your pets safe this winter

WITH temperatures dropping as low as -3 deg C in Rotherham this week, alongside a yellow weather warning for snow & ice, an animal charity has reminded pet owners it is important to remember to look after your animals and keep them safe.

The RSPCA have released their 15 top tips to help you do just that.

Pet welfare specialist Dr Sam Gaines, said: “It’s really important we help our animal friends during the colder weather.

“We’re encouraging people to join the winter rescue to help animals and we’re sharing our helpful advice and tips available for people to make sure their own pets, and local wildlife, are kept safe.”

RSPCA’s 15 top tips include:

1. For outdoor pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs: if the temperature drops below freezing, you can bring your rabbit inside. For guinea pigs, it is recommended to bring them inside if the outside temperature drops below 15 deg C.

If you choose to bring them inside, they must still have room to excercise. But if you are to leave them outside, make sure they have plenty more bedding and protection from the weather.

2. If you have a cat or multiple, make sure that they have access to either the house or a warm indoor area. You should alos keep their bedding dry, warm and away from draughts.

3. If you use any antifreeze or rock salt, make sure these are kept well away from pets as they can be poisonous. If you think your pet has consumed any, call your vet immediately.

4. If your pet gets wet or cold, make sure you dry them with a towel and always have warm bedding for them.

5. If you you have and old or sick dog, make sure you get them a coat for when you are walking them. Make sure this coat doesn’t restrict their normal activities such as going to the toilet as well as affecting their comfort.

6. If you are out with your pet in the dark, both you and your pet should have on some form of reflective clothing.

7. Make sure you keep your dog well away from any frozen ponds, rivers or lakes and also make sure that their paws are ok in the snow.

8. Bird owners should make sure that they are protectyed from the cold weather as well as provided with extra warm bedding. Birds eat more food in the cold so make sure they don’t run out and give them plenty of water whilst checking it is not frozen.

9. Never keep pets in greenhouses and take care if you keep any in consevatories.

10. if you have a fish pond, keep an eye to make sure that it is not completely frozen over as poisonous gases form when this happens. If this does happen, do not smash the ice as that could hurt your fish, but place carefully a saucepan full of warm water to melt a hole in the ice. Never tip boiling water onto a frozen pond or use antifreeze or rock salt as these are dangerous for your fish.

11. If you own horses or livestock, make sure that you their shelters are in good condition to keep them away from the bad weather as well as givng them more food as there is less grass for them to eat. Always check their water for ice, check their hooves for loose shoes or any other problems and always have access to a warm dry shelter for them. Farmers should take extra care with younger animals at this time.

12. Wildlife such as birds can struggle to find food at this time of year, so give them some help by leaving out suitable food such as seeds and grains.

13. If you have a bird bath, make sure the water doesnt have any ice, keep their feeders clean and leave fresh bowls of water out for them.

14. If you are lighting fires, keep an eye out with wood or leaf piles for any animals that might be there such as hedgehogs, frogs or mice. If an animal is hibernating for winter, do not disturb them.

15. It is recommended to never keep dogs outside in any weather as it is hard meet their needs, especially in low temperatures. You should make sure their beds are kept dry, clean and comfortable and that the temperature should not drop below 10 degrees.