Winter

Cat Safety

• Ensure access to fresh water and sufficient food, cats tend to eat more in winter. Indoor cats don’t need extra food. Try to entertain him if he wants to eat out of boredom. Be sure not to overfeed. Consult your vet in case of significant weight fluctuations.
• Antifreeze is just as toxic to cats as it is to dogs. Keep unsafe fluids, like cleaning products as well, out of reach.
• Outside is cold for them, too, even with fur. Try to refrain from leaving them outside too long or at all, especially in the frigid temperatures we get here in Edmonton.
• Create warm areas for your cat. Cats love warmth. You can do this with heated pad and blankets.
• Cats don’t like cold and dark places so trying to find a place for the litter box that is not in the way can be difficult. Try to find somewhere open and warm to avoid unwanted behaviours, such as urinating in other places. If your cat continues even after you’ve determined a proper place for the litter box, contact your vet. It could be indicative of something health related.
• Indoor cats do not completely stop shedding in the winter, if your cat has medium-long hair, keep grooming him to prevent mattes.
• Winter is cough and cold season, be sure to keep any meds safely locked up and out of reach of your cat.
• Many people bring in plants for the winter. Be sure your plants are safe for pets, or keep them far out of reach, like in a hanging basket, if they are.
• Keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated for a stress-free winter for you both!

Dog Safety

• Stay warm: If you feel cold, your dog is most likely cold as well, even with their fur (unless it’s a dog bred for cold temperatures). Make sure your pup is dressed for the weather.
• Stay dry: Wet fur causes body temperature to drop significantly. If your pup likes to roll around in snow, don’t allow them to spend much longer outside after doing so. Dry their fur with a warm, dry towel as soon as you get back in the house to mitigate the risk of Hypothermia.
• Check paws: Ice can be slippery even for your dog’s pads, and the rock salt that tends to be used in residential areas can irritate their paws. Check your pup’s feet after every walk and wipe with a warm, wet cloth to get any residue off.
• Avoid winter chemicals: Antifreeze is a common household winter product. It also happens to smell great to dogs and is extremely toxic to them. This also applies to many oils, cleaners, etc. Be sure to wipe up spills promptly and store containers where your pup cannot get to them.
• Stay safe in cars: Just like how the temperature in your vehicle rises rapidly in the summer, the temperature in your car drops rapidly in the winter. To prevent the risk of hypothermia, refrain from leaving your pup in the car, or, if you must, leave it running so they can stay nice and warm.
• Many people bring in plants for the winter. Be sure your plants are safe for pets, or keep them far out of reach, like in a hanging basket, if they are.
• Keep your dog stimulated mentally and physically for a stress-free winter for you both!

Cat activities

• Make mealtime interesting: Slow feeder bowls work for kitties too! It hones their natural instinct to work for their food. You can also hide food around the house in increasingly complex locations to make mealtime interesting for your cat.
• Cat toys: You can get toys on a string so you can bond while you play with kitty, with the added perk of them burning some energy. There’s also toys that move when touched and toys that can be filled with catnip. A variety of types of toys can keep any cat entertained.
• Hide toys around the house: and give him a treat when he finds it. Make it increasingly difficult as he catches on.
• Try teaching him new tricks: give treats within seconds of success so that they learn to associate the skill with the treat. You can teach kitty commands, as you would a dog, it just requires much more patience. You can also hide toys around the house, making it harder as your cat catches on.
• Cats love to climb: I’m sure you often find your kitty at the tallest point in the house that they can manage. Having surfaces higher up with no breakables is great for your cat to exercise their natural instincts. Cat trees also help with this, and can also be a great spot for them to scratch and stretch without ruining your furniture.
• Try harness training: Just like dogs, cats can be taught to walk in a harness. Start by allowing them to wear it around the house during the winter until they get accustomed to it. It’s usually a good idea to get them in to a routine of wearing it. When Spring-time arrives, you can start taking your cat out for short walks in the beginning, and longer walks as they get used to it.

Dog activities

• Hide and seek: You can teach your pup to look for a toy or to look for yourself!
• Bubbles: Dogs love bubbles! Just be sure you get a non-toxic pet-friendly type.
• Indoor fetch: If you have a long hallway, or a big room, you can still play this classic game within your home. Just be sure there’s no valuables/breakables nearby.
• Stair climbing: Running up and down the stairs with your pup is a great way to burn some energy on cold winter days.
• Short brisk walks: Keep the walks short and sweet, and walk quickly to keep the heat flowing.
• Treat dispensing toy: The choices for toys has grown substantially over the past while. A simple ball that spits out treats when shaken up can keep your dog entertained for a long while.
• Hide treats: Make treat time interesting by hiding them around the house. Start with simple locations and increase complexity as puppy begins to get bored.
• Slow feeder: These maze type bowls are great for extending feeding time. It also limit how much they may chew at any time, which is great for messy puppies and dogs that like to stuff themselves.
• Play dates: As long as your dog is friendly with other dogs, play dates are a great idea to keep winter interesting.