How to care for your animals

SINCE freezing Arctic blasts are threatening the UK this week, it’s important that guardians know how to take care of their animals during adverse weather conditions.

Although dogs, cats, and other animals have fur coats, they can still suffer from deadly frostbite and exposure, which is why it’s critical to keep animals – and especially puppies and kittens – indoors.

Short-haired animals will also benefit from wearing a warm jumper or coat on walks.

Cats shouldn’t be allowed to roam freely outdoors because during winter, they sometimes climb under the bonnets of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the vehicle is started.

To help prevent this, bang loudly on the bonnet before starting the engine.

Keep an eye out for strays, and take unidentified animals inside until you can find their guardians or get them to an animal shelter.

If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call the RSPCA for assistance with trapping them and getting them indoors.

If snow is on the ground, be sure to wipe off your dogs’ or cats’ legs, feet, and stomach after they come inside, as salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them.

For more information on keeping animals safe during the winter, please visit PETA.org.uk.