Winter Care

Cold weather brings a specific set of risks for animals, and winter care is really about protecting them from those risks before they become emergencies. It covers everything from keeping horses hydrated and moving so their gut doesn't seize up, to preventing outdoor rabbits from getting chilled and damp, to knowing which household winter hazards can poison a curious dog. None of it is complicated once you know what to watch for, but it's easy to overlook because the dangers build up quietly rather than announcing themselves.

For horses, the biggest concern is impaction colic, a blockage in the gut that becomes more likely in winter because horses drink less when water is cold and eat drier hay with less access to grass. Water intake in cold climates has been shown to rise significantly when the water is warmed rather than left near freezing, so a heated trough or bucket is one of the simplest things you can do. Keeping a horse moving, sticking to a consistent feeding routine, and making sure dental issues are sorted before winter all help too, since anything that slows digestion or reduces water intake raises the risk.

Small mammals kept outdoors, like rabbits, cope with cold reasonably well on their own but struggle badly with damp and draughts. A rabbit that is thin, elderly, young, or without a full winter coat can become seriously unwell if kept in wet or draughty housing, so the priority is dry, insulated, sheltered housing rather than warmth alone. Reduced access to fresh grass and greens over winter is another thing worth planning for, since it affects both nutrition and how much your rabbit is drinking.

For dogs and cats, winter risks are less about the cold itself and more about what the cold brings with it. Road and pavement ice melt products vary hugely in how irritating or toxic they are if licked off paws or eaten directly, and larger ingestions can cause vomiting, dehydration and electrolyte problems serious enough to need veterinary treatment. Wiping paws after walks, choosing pet-safer products where you can, and keeping containers well out of reach all reduce the risk. A few practical signs are worth knowing regardless of species:

• Excessive shivering or lethargy: can signal that an animal is struggling to keep warm, especially in the very young, old, or thin
• Reduced drinking: often goes unnoticed in cold weather but raises the risk of digestive problems, particularly in horses
• Licking or chewing at paws: can point to ice melt exposure or simple cold irritation
• Wet, matted fur or bedding: removes an animal's natural insulation and speeds up heat loss

None of this replaces a vet's judgement for your particular pet, its age, coat, health conditions and living situation all change what "enough" winter care looks like. The guides below go into the specifics for different species and situations.