Winter Pet Prep: Quick Tips for Dogs & Cats as the Weather Cools
As the weather cools down across WA, we start reaching for our jumpers, thicker socks, and maybe even that electric throw blanket we swore we wouldn’t need. But while we’re adjusting to the colder mornings and darker evenings, our pets feel the shift too. It is also often a time to look at more senior pets and their possible increased treatments for arthritis.
At Drovers Vet, we believe winter care doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small changes can go a long way in keeping your dog or cat healthy, warm, and comfortable through the season. Let’s walk through five easy, vet-approved tips, from cold-weather coat care to protecting sensitive paws from chilly surprises.
1. Adjust Routines for Cold Snouts and Paws
Shorter days and cooler mornings mean it’s time to rethink the usual schedule. For dogs, that might mean adjusting walk times. For cats, it could mean more indoor time (which we all know they’ll pretend to hate, until they’re snoozing in the warmest part of the house).
● Walk your dog during the warmest part of the day to avoid cold pavement and morning frost.
● Give paws a quick rinse after walks to remove any gravel, salt, or debris stuck between their toes.
● Try a pet-safe paw balm if their pads start to feel dry or cracked.
● Keep feline friends inside during frost warnings and overnight cold snaps. A sunny window perch can still give them plenty to watch.
2. Boost Nutrition And Hydration
When the weather cools down, your pet’s energy needs can change. Some will burn more calories just staying warm, while others may drink less without you noticing. It’s worth keeping an eye on both food and water bowls as the season shifts.
● Some dogs may need a little extra fuel for those chilly walks, but check with your vet before adjusting meals.
● Mix in wet food for cats who tend to ignore their water bowl.
3. Cozy Up Their Environment
Winter weather can sneak its way into your home through wet fur, cold floors, and drafty corners. A few small tweaks to your pet’s environment can help prevent discomfort (especially in more older pets with arthritis), skin issues, and those dreaded soggy smells.
● Add a few thick blankets or upgrade to a heated bed to keep joints supported and bodies warm, especially for senior pets.
● Always towel-dry your dog after a rainy or muddy walk, as it helps prevent skin irritation and keeps their bedding dry.
● Create a stress-free zone inspired by our Visitation Room. Think soft lighting, quiet surroundings, and a comfy bed where your pet can properly relax.
Book a Seasonal Checkup to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Comfortable
Even with the best setup at home, winter can still throw a few surprises your pet’s way. Stiff joints, dry skin, and changes in appetite or behaviour are easier to manage when you catch them early.
A seasonal checkup is a simple way to see how your dog or cat is handling the cooler weather and get advice tailored to their needs. Book a winter wellness check at Drovers Vet, where every pet’s comfort is our priority.
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Although chocolate may be one of your favourite treats, never feed chocolate to your pet. It is poisonous for them! It contains substances called theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthine alkaloids) which are also contained in coffee, tea and some over-the-counter stimulants.
Chocolate poisoning is most commonly seen in dogs because of their habit to ingest food rapidly and they often have a “sweet tooth”. We see a higher incidence in puppies and young dogs, probably because they tend to ingest large amounts of unusual foods.
Chocolate poisoning can also affect cats, birds, rodents and reptiles however we see these cases much less frequently.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
The toxins in chocolate can affect you pet’s digestive system, nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Digestive system
- Vomiting & diarrhoea (2-4 hours after ingestion)
Nervous System
- Excitation/restlessness (increased body temperature, alertness)
- Muscle rigidity & tremors
- Seizures
Cardiovascular
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Reduced blood pressure (hypotension)
- Progresses to cardiac failure leading to weakness, coma and death can occur within 12-36 hours after ingestion.
The toxins are found in the highest concentration in cooking chocolate and dark chocolate, and there are lesser amounts in milk chocolate. There is almost no toxins are found in white chocolate.
Diagnosis
Chocolate poisoning can look similar to many poisonings or other conditions. Serious poisonings such as that caused by strychnine, amphetamines, pesticides, and some rodenticides can cause similar signs.
If you know your pet has eaten chocolate, contact us immediately, especially if your pet is showing any of the symptoms above. If possible, bring any vomit to the clinic as well, since this may aid in rapid identification of the toxic substance. Your veterinarian will need to examine your dog's nervous system and cardiac function carefully. He/she may want to run some blood tests to check for blood sugar levels and rule out other diseases. Since this poisoning progresses rapidly, signs may need to be treated symptomatically until a laboratory diagnosis is confirmed.
Treatment
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Your veterinarian may use drugs to induce vomiting if the chocolate was consumed within the previous 2 - 4 hours or they may even need to administer a general anaesthetic in order to pass a tube into the stomach to wash
Once the chocolate is out activated charcoal treatment may be given to prevent any toxins remaining from being absorbed.
Pets that show more severe symptoms may need more specific medications in order to control the seizures and to prevent heart failure.
The expected course of chocolate poisoning is 12 to 36 hours depending on the dosage and effectiveness of treatment. Prognosis is good if the chocolate is removed within 2 to 4 hours of ingestion. Prognosis is guarded in animals with advanced signs such as seizures and serious heart dysfunction. So, please remember to keep your chocolates, cakes and chocolate-coated goodies safely away from your pets. Stick to healthy treats if you want to reward your special furry or feathered friend.
Have more questions?
Our state-of-the-art facility offers separate consultation rooms for dogs and cats, a fully equipped in-house laboratory, and specialised suites for surgery and dental care. For those tender moments, our uniquely designed Grief.
