Being aware of Winter Wellness Tips for Pets, as the temperatures drop across Gauteng, will help our pets face a unique set of seasonal health challenges that many owners simply don’t anticipate. At Welgelegen Animal Clinic in Nigel, I see the same preventable winter issues year after year, and most of them come down to a handful of common misconceptions about how cold weather affects our cats and dogs. This guide covers four critical areas every pet owner should understand this winter: shelter and warmth, nutrition, parasite prevention, and paw care. Each tip combines the science behind the issue with practical, actionable steps you can take today. 1. Keep Them Warm, But Watch for Hypothermia It’s easy to assume that because your pet has fur, they’re naturally equipped to handle the cold. The reality is more nuanced. Pets lose body heat rapidly through areas with less fur coverage, particularly the paws, ears and nose. Small breeds, short-haired dogs, puppies, kittens and senior animals are especially vulnerable, as they lose heat far faster than larger or thick-coated breeds. A healthy dog’s normal body temperature sits between 38°C and 39.2°C. When that drops, even by a degree or two, your pet’s body has to work hard to compensate, and in vulnerable animals, this can quickly become dangerous. What you can do: Make sure your pet has access to an insulated sleeping area that’s off cold tiled or concrete floors. A simple raised bed with a thick blanket makes a significant difference. Check bedding regularly for dampness, wet bedding actually chills an animal faster than having no bedding at all, because moisture draws heat away from the body. For very small, short-haired or elderly dogs, a snug-fitting coat during outdoor walks is a sensible precaution, not an indulgence. And please, never leave a pet in a cold car, garage, or outbuilding overnight, temperatures in these spaces can drop dramatically and unexpectedly. Know the warning signs of hypothermia: shivering, lethargy, stiff or weak muscles, shallow breathing, and pale or bluish gums. If you notice any of these, wrap your pet in warm (not hot) towels and bring them to us immediately, this is a medical emergency, not a “wait and see” situation. 2. Increase Food Intake, Winter Calories Are Real One of the most common questions I get this time of year is whether pets need to eat differently in winter. The answer, for many pets, is yes, and the reason comes down to basic physiology. Maintaining body temperature in cold weather is metabolically expensive. This process, called thermoregulation, burns calories, sometimes a lot of them. Outdoor and active pets can require up to 25% more calories during the colder months simply to stay warm, even without any increase in exercise. What you can do: If your pet spends significant time outdoors or remains active throughout winter, consider increasing their daily food portions by roughly 10–25%. This isn’t a blanket recommendation for every pet, though, senior animals, overweight pets, or those with existing health conditions should only have their diet adjusted after consulting with us, as their needs can be quite different. Don’t forget about water. Fresh, unfrozen water needs to be available at all times. Dehydration is just as much a risk in winter as in summer, but it’s far easier to overlook because pets (and owners) don’t feel as thirsty in cold weather. Watch for signs that your pet isn’t getting enough fuel: visible weight loss, prominent ribs or spine, low energy, reluctance to play, a dull or dry coat, or a pet that feels unusually cold to the touch even when indoors. If you notice any of these, it’s worth booking a check-up to rule out other causes and discuss their nutritional needs. 3. Don’t Stop Parasite Prevention, Fleas Thrive Indoors in Winter This is, without question, the winter myth I encounter most often: “It’s too cold for fleas and ticks now, so I’ll skip treatment for a few months.” Unfortunately, this assumption leads to one of the most common, and most preventable, problems I treat every spring. Here’s the science: fleas thrive in temperatures between 13°C and 35°C. That range describes the inside of almost every heated South African home during winter. While outdoor flea populations may decrease slightly in cold weather, your living room, your pet’s bedding, and your carpets remain perfectly hospitable. Even more concerning, flea eggs can survive dormant in carpets, bedding, and soft furnishings for up to eight months. So a pet that goes untreated through winter may not show visible signs of a problem until summer, by which point you’re often dealing with a full household infestation. What you can do: Maintain monthly flea, tick and deworming treatments year-round, with no seasonal breaks. Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly, and vacuum carpets, couches and rugs regularly, disposing of the vacuum bag or canister contents immediately afterward, ideally outside the home. If you spot even a single flea on your pet, it’s safe to assume there are already hundreds of eggs somewhere in your home. Acting early, rather than waiting for a visible infestation, saves you significant time, money, and discomfort for your pet. 4. Paw Care Matters More Than You Think in Winter Of the four tips, this is the one most frequently overlooked, yet it directly impacts your pet’s comfort and overall health. Cold, dry winter air strips moisture from skin and paw pads, leading to cracking and soreness. Cracked pads aren’t just uncomfortable; they create an entry point for bacteria, fungi, and environmental toxins. Because dogs and cats instinctively lick and groom their paws after walks, anything picked up on cold pavements, dusty ground, or treated surfaces can be ingested directly, and broken skin can worsen this absorption. What you can do: After every outdoor walk, wipe your pet’s paws with a warm, damp cloth and dry them thoroughly, paying particular attention to the spaces between the toes. A pet-safe paw balm applied once or twice a week helps maintain healthy, supple pads, ask us which product we’d recommend for your specific pet. Check paws weekly for redness, cracking, or swelling, and keep the fur between toe pads trimmed, as long hair traps moisture and encourages matting. One important note: avoid shaving double-coated breeds in winter. Their coat is a natural insulating layer, and removing it leaves them more vulnerable to the cold, not less. If your dog seems reluctant to walk on cold floors, lifts their paws unusually, or licks at their feet more than normal, it’s worth having their paws checked. A Final Word Winter doesn’t have to be a season of hidden health risks for your pet. Most of the issues outlined above are entirely preventable with small, consistent habits, appropriate shelter, the right nutrition, uninterrupted parasite prevention, and a little extra attention to paw care. If you have any concerns about your pet this winter, or it’s been a while since their last check-up, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
Being aware of Winter Wellness Tips for Pets, as the temperatures drop across Gauteng, will help our pets face a unique set of seasonal health challenges that many owners simply don’t anticipate. At Welgelegen Animal Clinic in Nigel, I see the same preventable winter issues year after year, and most of them come down to a handful of common misconceptions about how cold weather affects our cats and dogs. This guide covers four critical areas every pet owner should understand this winter: shelter and warmth, nutrition, parasite prevention, and paw care. Each tip combines the science behind the issue with practical, actionable steps you can take today. 1. Keep Them Warm, But Watch for Hypothermia It’s easy to assume that because your pet has fur, they’re naturally equipped to handle the cold. The reality is more nuanced. Pets lose body heat rapidly through areas with less fur coverage, particularly the paws, ears and nose. Small breeds, short-haired dogs, puppies, kittens and senior animals are especially vulnerable, as they lose heat far faster than larger or thick-coated breeds. A healthy dog’s normal body temperature sits between 38°C and 39.2°C. When that drops, even by a degree or two, your pet’s body has to work hard to compensate, and in vulnerable animals, this can quickly become dangerous. What you can do: Make sure your pet has access to an insulated sleeping area that’s off cold tiled or concrete floors. A simple raised bed with a thick blanket makes a significant difference. Check bedding regularly for dampness, wet bedding actually chills an animal faster than having no bedding at all, because moisture draws heat away from the body. For very small, short-haired or elderly dogs, a snug-fitting coat during outdoor walks is a sensible precaution, not an indulgence. And please, never leave a pet in a cold car, garage, or outbuilding overnight, temperatures in these spaces can drop dramatically and unexpectedly. Know the warning signs of hypothermia: shivering, lethargy, stiff or weak muscles, shallow breathing, and pale or bluish gums. If you notice any of these, wrap your pet in warm (not hot) towels and bring them to us immediately, this is a medical emergency, not a “wait and see” situation. 2. Increase Food Intake, Winter Calories Are Real One of the most common questions I get this time of year is whether pets need to eat differently in winter. The answer, for many pets, is yes, and the reason comes down to basic physiology. Maintaining body temperature in cold weather is metabolically expensive. This process, called thermoregulation, burns calories, sometimes a lot of them. Outdoor and active pets can require up to 25% more calories during the colder months simply to stay warm, even without any increase in exercise. What you can do: If your pet spends significant time outdoors or remains active throughout winter, consider increasing their daily food portions by roughly 10–25%. This isn’t a blanket recommendation for every pet, though, senior animals, overweight pets, or those with existing health conditions should only have their diet adjusted after consulting with us, as their needs can be quite different. Don’t forget about water. Fresh, unfrozen water needs to be available at all times. Dehydration is just as much a risk in winter as in summer, but it’s far easier to overlook because pets (and owners) don’t feel as thirsty in cold weather. Watch for signs that your pet isn’t getting enough fuel: visible weight loss, prominent ribs or spine, low energy, reluctance to play, a dull or dry coat, or a pet that feels unusually cold to the touch even when indoors. If you notice any of these, it’s worth booking a check-up to rule out other causes and discuss their nutritional needs. 3. Don’t Stop Parasite Prevention, Fleas Thrive Indoors in Winter This is, without question, the winter myth I encounter most often: “It’s too cold for fleas and ticks now, so I’ll skip treatment for a few months.” Unfortunately, this assumption leads to one of the most common, and most preventable, problems I treat every spring. Here’s the science: fleas thrive in temperatures between 13°C and 35°C. That range describes the inside of almost every heated South African home during winter. While outdoor flea populations may decrease slightly in cold weather, your living room, your pet’s bedding, and your carpets remain perfectly hospitable. Even more concerning, flea eggs can survive dormant in carpets, bedding, and soft furnishings for up to eight months. So a pet that goes untreated through winter may not show visible signs of a problem until summer, by which point you’re often dealing with a full household infestation. What you can do: Maintain monthly flea, tick and deworming treatments year-round, with no seasonal breaks. Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly, and vacuum carpets, couches and rugs regularly, disposing of the vacuum bag or canister contents immediately afterward, ideally outside the home. If you spot even a single flea on your pet, it’s safe to assume there are already hundreds of eggs somewhere in your home. Acting early, rather than waiting for a visible infestation, saves you significant time, money, and discomfort for your pet. 4. Paw Care Matters More Than You Think in Winter Of the four tips, this is the one most frequently overlooked, yet it directly impacts your pet’s comfort and overall health. Cold, dry winter air strips moisture from skin and paw pads, leading to cracking and soreness. Cracked pads aren’t just uncomfortable; they create an entry point for bacteria, fungi, and environmental toxins. Because dogs and cats instinctively lick and groom their paws after walks, anything picked up on cold pavements, dusty ground, or treated surfaces can be ingested directly, and broken skin can worsen this absorption. What you can do: After every outdoor walk, wipe your pet’s paws with a warm, damp cloth and dry them thoroughly, paying particular attention to the spaces between the toes. A pet-safe paw balm applied once or twice a week helps maintain healthy, supple pads, ask us which product we’d recommend for your specific pet. Check paws weekly for redness, cracking, or swelling, and keep the fur between toe pads trimmed, as long hair traps moisture and encourages matting. One important note: avoid shaving double-coated breeds in winter. Their coat is a natural insulating layer, and removing it leaves them more vulnerable to the cold, not less. If your dog seems reluctant to walk on cold floors, lifts their paws unusually, or licks at their feet more than normal, it’s worth having their paws checked. A Final Word Winter doesn’t have to be a season of hidden health risks for your pet. Most of the issues outlined above are entirely preventable with small, consistent habits, appropriate shelter, the right nutrition, uninterrupted parasite prevention, and a little extra attention to paw care. If you have any concerns about your pet this winter, or it’s been a while since their last check-up, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
Being aware of Winter Wellness Tips for Pets, as the temperatures drop across Gauteng, will help our pets face a unique set of seasonal health challenges that many owners simply don’t anticipate. At Welgelegen Animal Clinic in Nigel, I see the same preventable winter issues year after year, and most of them come down to a handful of common misconceptions about how cold weather affects our cats and dogs. This guide covers four critical areas every pet owner should understand this winter: shelter and warmth, nutrition, parasite prevention, and paw care. Each tip combines the science behind the issue with practical, actionable steps you can take today. 1. Keep Them Warm, But Watch for Hypothermia It’s easy to assume that because your pet has fur, they’re naturally equipped to handle the cold. The reality is more nuanced. Pets lose body heat rapidly through areas with less fur coverage, particularly the paws, ears and nose. Small breeds, short-haired dogs, puppies, kittens and senior animals are especially vulnerable, as they lose heat far faster than larger or thick-coated breeds. A healthy dog’s normal body temperature sits between 38°C and 39.2°C. When that drops, even by a degree or two, your pet’s body has to work hard to compensate, and in vulnerable animals, this can quickly become dangerous. What you can do: Make sure your pet has access to an insulated sleeping area that’s off cold tiled or concrete floors. A simple raised bed with a thick blanket makes a significant difference. Check bedding regularly for dampness, wet bedding actually chills an animal faster than having no bedding at all, because moisture draws heat away from the body. For very small, short-haired or elderly dogs, a snug-fitting coat during outdoor walks is a sensible precaution, not an indulgence. And please, never leave a pet in a cold car, garage, or outbuilding overnight, temperatures in these spaces can drop dramatically and unexpectedly. Know the warning signs of hypothermia: shivering, lethargy, stiff or weak muscles, shallow breathing, and pale or bluish gums. If you notice any of these, wrap your pet in warm (not hot) towels and bring them to us immediately, this is a medical emergency, not a “wait and see” situation. 2. Increase Food Intake, Winter Calories Are Real One of the most common questions I get this time of year is whether pets need to eat differently in winter. The answer, for many pets, is yes, and the reason comes down to basic physiology. Maintaining body temperature in cold weather is metabolically expensive. This process, called thermoregulation, burns calories, sometimes a lot of them. Outdoor and active pets can require up to 25% more calories during the colder months simply to stay warm, even without any increase in exercise. What you can do: If your pet spends significant time outdoors or remains active throughout winter, consider increasing their daily food portions by roughly 10–25%. This isn’t a blanket recommendation for every pet, though, senior animals, overweight pets, or those with existing health conditions should only have their diet adjusted after consulting with us, as their needs can be quite different. Don’t forget about water. Fresh, unfrozen water needs to be available at all times. Dehydration is just as much a risk in winter as in summer, but it’s far easier to overlook because pets (and owners) don’t feel as thirsty in cold weather. Watch for signs that your pet isn’t getting enough fuel: visible weight loss, prominent ribs or spine, low energy, reluctance to play, a dull or dry coat, or a pet that feels unusually cold to the touch even when indoors. If you notice any of these, it’s worth booking a check-up to rule out other causes and discuss their nutritional needs. 3. Don’t Stop Parasite Prevention, Fleas Thrive Indoors in Winter This is, without question, the winter myth I encounter most often: “It’s too cold for fleas and ticks now, so I’ll skip treatment for a few months.” Unfortunately, this assumption leads to one of the most common, and most preventable, problems I treat every spring. Here’s the science: fleas thrive in temperatures between 13°C and 35°C. That range describes the inside of almost every heated South African home during winter. While outdoor flea populations may decrease slightly in cold weather, your living room, your pet’s bedding, and your carpets remain perfectly hospitable. Even more concerning, flea eggs can survive dormant in carpets, bedding, and soft furnishings for up to eight months. So a pet that goes untreated through winter may not show visible signs of a problem until summer, by which point you’re often dealing with a full household infestation. What you can do: Maintain monthly flea, tick and deworming treatments year-round, with no seasonal breaks. Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly, and vacuum carpets, couches and rugs regularly, disposing of the vacuum bag or canister contents immediately afterward, ideally outside the home. If you spot even a single flea on your pet, it’s safe to assume there are already hundreds of eggs somewhere in your home. Acting early, rather than waiting for a visible infestation, saves you significant time, money, and discomfort for your pet. 4. Paw Care Matters More Than You Think in Winter Of the four tips, this is the one most frequently overlooked, yet it directly impacts your pet’s comfort and overall health. Cold, dry winter air strips moisture from skin and paw pads, leading to cracking and soreness. Cracked pads aren’t just uncomfortable; they create an entry point for bacteria, fungi, and environmental toxins. Because dogs and cats instinctively lick and groom their paws after walks, anything picked up on cold pavements, dusty ground, or treated surfaces can be ingested directly, and broken skin can worsen this absorption. What you can do: After every outdoor walk, wipe your pet’s paws with a warm, damp cloth and dry them thoroughly, paying particular attention to the spaces between the toes. A pet-safe paw balm applied once or twice a week helps maintain healthy, supple pads, ask us which product we’d recommend for your specific pet. Check paws weekly for redness, cracking, or swelling, and keep the fur between toe pads trimmed, as long hair traps moisture and encourages matting. One important note: avoid shaving double-coated breeds in winter. Their coat is a natural insulating layer, and removing it leaves them more vulnerable to the cold, not less. If your dog seems reluctant to walk on cold floors, lifts their paws unusually, or licks at their feet more than normal, it’s worth having their paws checked. A Final Word Winter doesn’t have to be a season of hidden health risks for your pet. Most of the issues outlined above are entirely preventable with small, consistent habits, appropriate shelter, the right nutrition, uninterrupted parasite prevention, and a little extra attention to paw care. If you have any concerns about your pet this winter, or it’s been a while since their last check-up, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
