KEEP YOUR PETS COSY THIS WINTER

Ensure your four-legged friends are happy and healthy as the chill hits

- Courtney Greatrex.

As the days get shorter and the weather colder, most Australians will find themselves reaching for an extra layer of clothing or flicking on a heater. For our furry friends, it can be even trickier to tell if they too are feeling the cold. PetSure vet advisor Dr Betty Chan and GapOnly's Dr Maria Neale reveal how to keep your animals comfortable and steer clear of common winter mishaps.

AVOID WEIGHT GAIN

Just like people, pets can gain weight during the winter months. "Your pet's appetite can increase during the colder months as they require more energy to maintain their body temperature and the cooler weather can make it harder to get outside for exercise," says Dr Chan.

The problem is that extra cushioning can raise your pet's risk of developing conditions like arthritis, cruciate ligament disease and diabetes. Following the feeding guidelines on food packaging, avoiding high calorie snacks (like cheese or pig ears) and daily exercise can all help your pet to maintain a healthy weight.

"Have a chat to your vet about the right amount to feed your pet to avoid any unnecessary weight gain as this can lead to other health conditions later in life," adds Dr Neale.

KEEP THEM FIGHTING FIT

While it may be tempting to keep your pup inside during winter, it's important that they still get a regular dose of exercise like a daily walk or playing inside if it's too wet, windy or cold. However, Dr Chan adds that, just like humans, dogs can be prone to injury if they are not properly warmed up.