Warm Up to The Winters

The winters are a beautiful time with festivities galore, but winter care must not be neglected in the midst of it all. Especially when it comes to our pets

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It's the most wonderful time of the year! The lights are strung up, the tree's all adorned, and the gingerbread men are buttoned up and laid out. There's a nip in the air and we snuggle up under a blanket, with our latest read and a steaming cup of hot cocoa, with our furry little ones by our side. We may think they don't feel the chill themselves but think again. For they do, and love to cosy up with us as we settle into the winters.

Winter in India ranges from the pleasantly cold to the very extremes. For us here in Bombay, winters can be enjoyable, whereas in the hinterlands and the Northern parts of the country even snow forms a part of the landscape. And with global warming, you never know what you might face, when! It is always best to be prepared.

Now, if we're talking winters in Europe for instance, or countries like the US, or those harsh mid-year winters in Australia, the furry ones do feel cold and shiver with the icy gusts and snowfall. Some longhaired breeds like the Border Collie can handle the cold, most shorthaired ones like the Beagle, on the British Shorthair cat, or shortlegged breeds like the Dachshund, are not equipped to deal with extreme cold and would require a sweater or a muffler to stay warm.

Winter care goes beyond keeping our pets warm, it involves a lot of care and concern for their physical and mental well-being. Here are a few tips on taking heed of your pet during the winters:

Understand your pet's natural ability

Just like we know our body, we should be aware of our pet's health, the coat, body-fat percentage and activity levels. Shorthaired breeds feel more exposed to the cold and a sweater (custom-made for your Princess, perhaps), will do the trick to keep her snug.