Companion Life - winter 2019/20

FREE PLEASE TAKE A COPY

WINTER 2019/20

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In this issue

> A guide to... training your dog > Top tips to help your pet’s joint health > Understanding digestive health in pets > Q&A with Cats Protection > How to keep your rabbit warm in winter

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EDITOR’S COMMENT I’m delighted to present the winter 2019/20 edition of Companion Life magazine. Companion Life is a FREE magazine, which aims to offer pet owners information, news and advice. In this issue we highlight digestive issues in pets and look at possible causes and treatments.

As well as the latest news, we also share top tips on maintaining joint health in pets and a guide to training your dog.

Feel free to get in touch with any features, news, pet products or even your own pet pictures.

Laura Evans Editor

Companion Life Companion Life is a Free Magazine providing news, information, tips and advice for pet owners across the UK. Circulation: 30,000 copies of Companion Life are distributed to veterinary practices across the UK. Contact details: Companion Life, Barn 3, Somerford Business Court, Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton, Cheshire. CW12 4SN www.companionlife.co.uk Editor: Laura Evans.

Editorial: editor@companionlife.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@companionlife.co.uk Companion Life is part of ‘WITH Marketing Ltd’, The contents within Companion Life is fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Companion Life. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Companion Life, its distributors and WITH Marketing Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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NEWS

RSPCA launches festive appeal as last Christmas Day was busiest for 5 years The RSPCA launches its festive appeal Stock the Sleigh to help needy animals this winter.

On 25 December 2018, the charity received 934 calls to its cruelty line – the highest number for five years and almost a third more than in 2017.

Last December, the charity reveals that there were more than 61,000 calls coming through to their cruelty line, which was up by more than 5,000 the previous year.

The RSPCA took more than 5,000 animals into its care last December and helped many more. Inspectors looked into more

than 2,000 complaints of abandonment and more than 5,000 complaints of neglect.

While most people tuck into their Christmas dinners, the charity’s inspectors will be working 24 hours a day rescuing animals from pets to wildlife and bringing them to safety. Some animals can spend weeks, months and sometimes years in the RSPCA’s care receiving the treatment and rehabilitation they need.

To help the RSPCA deliver vital supplies to thousands of abused, neglected and abandoned animals left out in the cold this Christmas, you can visit www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness and watch your virtual gift fill up the sleigh with a grateful wag from Sprout the dog.

Study reveals that pet owners share their beds with their pets to feel safe Millions of pet owners let their four-legged friends sleep in bed with them because it makes them feel safer, a study has found.

A study of 2,000 cat and dog owners by pet wellbeing specialists Itchpet.com found two thirds will snuggle up with their pet at night with three in 10 of those liking the feeling of security they get from having them there.

More than a quarter (27%) said lying next to their cat or dog helps them feel less alone, and 37% like the warmth from their pet’s furry bodies.

The research also revealed the 10 most common sleeping positions, which include ‘The Sneak’, where your pet inches further and further up the bed.

The Donut Divider’, where your furry friend curls up and settles between your legs, and ‘the Pillow Bandit’, where your beloved four-footed family member takes over the pillow.

K9 Organics answer high demand with new 5 Litre shampoos Due to high demand from the professional grooming industry, K9 Organics are now producing their shampoos and washes in 5 litre bottles.

The multi-award-winning company are trying to encourage groomers in the UK to offer their customers at least one organic wash.

The K9 Organics range offers the professional grooming industry environmentally

friendly alternatives, as well as economical, luxurious, high dilution ratio wash.

K9 Organic’s shampoo is available in English Lavender, Orange Blossom, G&T, Country Rose for an RRP of £40.00 for 5 litres and Sensitive at £38.00.

The shampoo is made with only certified organic ingredients, full biodegradable, eco/vegan friendly.

K9 Organics is offering an exclusive 10% discount off if you quote COMPANIONLIFE in your email or order.

For more information on the range you can visit www.k9organics.co.uk.

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Orvis UK launch dog bed made from 250 recycled bottles from 250 plastic water bottles. The bed boasts deep cushioning, piping along the side and a chambered liner to prevent the fill from clumping. The springy cushion is great for dogs who want to dig to get comfortable.

Fly fishing and outdoors brand, Orvis UK has launched an eco-friendly dog bed which aims to save an average of 15 million plastic bottles from polluting our oceans.

While already giving 5% of pre-tax profits to nature and conservation projects, Orvis are now also incorporating recycling into its products where possible.

In this vein, they have come up with the ComfortFill-Eco Couch Dog Bed, which is constructed with plastic bottles and oyster shells.

Each high bolster dog bed has been made

You can also have the dog bed personalised with your dog’s name (perfect if you’re looking for a dog Christmas gift). There are five colours and three sizes for you to choose from, with prices starting at £159.

ComfortFill-Eco is springy and plush, ideal for dogs who like to nuzzle and nest to get comfortable; and a chambered liner ensures that it will not flatten or clump. It’s also wrapped in a velvety-soft, quilted cover with piping along the double bolster edges.

More information about the Orvis ComfortFill-Eco Dog Bed can be found at Orvis.co.uk.

Nutravet share tips for a Happy Christmas with pets To make sure Christmas goes without a hitch, Nutravet is offering their tips to pet owners:

Food – refrain from feeding your pet anything not meant for them, such as turkey dinners, chocolate or Christmas cake. Rich, human food may irritate their stomach.

Natural animal health company, Nutravet is urging pet owners to remember their pet’s health this Christmas.

The festive season brings excitement but can also bring challenges for pet owners to ensure they stay happy and healthy to enjoy the festivities.

A spokesperson for Nutravet commented: “As many pet owners see their pets as members of the family, during the Christmas period they include them in many of the festivities. However, it’s important to remember their health and ensure they don’t eat anything they shouldn’t causing an unnecessary trip to the vets.”

Reduce stress - You might have lots of visitors over the festive period and this could be stressful for your pet, create a safe zone or den for them to retreat to.

Plants - Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs and cats.

Try to limit the amount of these around the home at Christmas.

Pet safety - Keep wires from the Christmas tree lights, decorations and wrapping away from your pet to prevent them from being chewed.

Fireworks - These are common during New Year and can cause stress in pets, so prepare in advance if you know your cat or dog gets anxious with loud noises.

Nutravet offer a range of natural healthcare products including help for stress, digestive function and joint stiffness.

Visit nutravet.co.uk for more info.

NEWS SNIPPETS New statistics show demand for dogs’ skyrockets in the countdown to Christmas Dogs Trust issues a plea to the public not to buy dogs as presents as it releases a new ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ TV ad. Dogs Trust is urging the public not to buy or give dogs as Christmas presents, as new statistics show online searches for puppies’ skyrocket by 44% in the countdown to Christmas.

The plea comes as the charity, which has rehoming centres in Basildon and Snetterton launches its first ever Christmas TV advert – which features a puppet dog who brings to life the message behind its famous slogan “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.’

While people give up dogs for all sorts of reasons, the charity is encouraging people to make sure they’re ready for the commitment, and if they decide now isn’t the right time to welcome a dog into their life, they are urging them to support rescue dogs in other ways.

New figures reveal that pets help with owner’s mental health Four in five pet owners with a mental health condition say their animal has helped them tackle their illness, according to new research. New research from MORE TH>N Pet Insurance reveals that overall, three in five (60%) pet owners claim their animals have helped to improve their mental health. In the survey of 2,000 pet owners, three quarters (77%) say their pets improved their overall quality of life. Additionally, 37% said the presence of an animal makes them feel calm, and one third (33%) feel noticeably less stressed. Comparing our relationship with pets to those with other people, a significant proportion said their animals provide them with more emotional support than their friends (44%) and family (34%).

Some pet owners even brought their cats or dogs into their lives specifically to boost their mental health (10%) or to combat loneliness (14%).

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ARTICLE

A guide to...

TRAINING YOUR DOG Getting a new pet can be an exciting time in any home, but, it’s important to settle them and begin training right away.

Whether you have a new puppy or have adopted an older dog, training is the most rewarding part of owning a dog. Training your dog doesn’t just improve their manners, it’s also fun and helps to strengthen the bond between you and your new pet.

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No dog is too old to learn new tricks and training your new four-legged friend should be high on your list of priorities as a new owner. Most dogs will love training as it can be a chance for them to challenge their brains, earn rewards and get lots of praise and attention.

Whether you decide to train your new dog yourself or take them to classes, it’s important to ensure you have everything you need for your training, such as toys and healthy treats. You could also use a crate for them to sleep in and for when you have to leave them home alone.

Things to remember when training your pooch include: Give them a name Start by helping your puppy to get to know their new name and use it every time you play, train or feed them. They’ll soon begin to recognise it and respond when called. Once they know their name, you can use it to communicate with and start to train them.

Be patient Training can be time consuming as it can take several repetitions before your dog gets the hang of any new tricks. Arm yourself with plenty of patience and treats before you start.

Short sessions If the training sessions go on for too long, your dog might lose interest. Limit the sessions to a few minutes each, as it’s better to have multiple short sessions a day, rather than one lasting the entire afternoon.

Be consistent Be sure to decide the house rules for your puppy before you bring them home with the rest of the family.

Stick to the rules and ensure all family members understand them. It will confuse your dog if their routine is broken.

Don’t punish your dog Your new dog is doing their best to learn, so if it takes longer than expected stay calm and keep the training fun and exciting.

If it’s fun, your dog will be more willing to do the same routine many times.

Persevere Keep going with your training and don’t compare your dog to others – all dogs are individual and keep in mind your goal and that a well-trained dog is a happy dog.

Handle your dog Stroke, groom and handle your dog on a daily basis with constant praise to get them used to being handled.

Training classes These are a great way to socialise your new dog and help them to get used to other dogs and people. It will also help them to learn certain attributes and how to behave. Your vet may be able to advise on local ones in your area.

Be positive Always end training sessions positively. Your dog has worked hard to please you throughout the session so give them lots of praise to ensure they enjoy the training.

Natural supplements Omega-3s have been shown to aid learning abilities in young puppies and strong research demonstrates that Omega-3 supplementation from fish oil supports cognitive function. Some supplements such as Nutramind have been specificially formulated by vets to support brain function and have shown to aid learning abilities.

When getting a new pet, it’s important to remember the huge responsibility that comes with looking after them.

Always consider if you have the time to look after them and can afford the costs that come with a pet. As lovely as it is to get a puppy, there are many older dogs waiting for new homes in adoption centres throughout the UK.

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ADVICE

TOP TIPS to help your pet’s joint health Maintaining excellent joint health for your pet is essential to ensure they lead a good quality of life.

There are a number of reasons why your pet might need help with their joint health, which includes, old age, being overweight, as well as trauma or injury. Joint problems tend to occur more often as your pet ages, with dogs being more susceptible. Some large breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds and Rottweilers can be more prone to developing joint issues such as osteoarthritis.

During the colder months, joint problems, like osteoarthritis can appear more pronounced in your pet. It is especially important to support joints in senior pets, as they may feel the cold more. The mobility of your pet’s joints can have a dramatic impact on their quality of life, even affecting their sleep.

Here are some top tips on how to help maintain optimum joint health for your pet: Weight management

Excess weight can put pressure on your pet’s joints.

Aim to keep them at a healthy weight for their breed and age to reduce the risk of developing joint problems.

Keeping their weight down will also help to reduce the symptoms caused by joint issues. Many vet practices offer weight management clinics to monitor this and provide advice.

Regular exercise

It is important that your pet gets regular exercise to avoid stiffness and muscle wastage.

Exercise can help to strengthen the muscles that support joints. Avoid long or infrequent walks, think little and often to keep the joints mobile.

Diet

Feed your pet a good quality diet. Reassess your pet’s food and consult a veterinary professional who can recommend the best diet for their needs.

Key nutrients

Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Boswellia and Omega 3 can help, Boswellia supports the natural systems that control inflammation.

Glucosamine HCL and Chondroitin Sulphate are essential for maintaining healthy joints, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and synovial fluid. Omega 3 can also help.

Bedding

Move your pet’s bed away from cold floors such as tiles. Keep your pet warm and avoid cold and drafty or damp conditions, which can aggravate joints. Add extra bedding for senior pets and shorthaired dogs to help pad around their joints.

Grooming

Help to groom your cat, when their joints become stiff as they may not be able to groom as freely.

Help at home

Helping your pet to move around the home easier could reduce the impact of joint problems. Raising their food bowls so they don’t have to bend down to them or using a ramp to help them get upstairs or into the car would help to make their life easier.

Visit your vet

Regular vet visits ensure your pet’s joints can be monitored frequently and the best up-to-date advice can be given. Ensure you follow your vet’s advice.

Alternative solutions

You could consider alternative methods to help your dog or cat, such as physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy can be a useful exercise that does not put too much pressure on your pet’s joints. These can help to increase circulation and mobility in your pet.

Joint supplements

There are many supplements on the market to support pet joint health. Some contain similar ingredients, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as Boswellia and Omega 3.

One the face of it many joint supplements for pets can appear good value, however many are very low in strength. For this reason Vets will often recommend products like Nutraquin+, and Vetpro because of their high strength ingredients.

NSAIDS/Drugs

In more painful cases of joint problems, your vet may prescribe special anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help manage their symptoms. These are usually given as an ongoing daily dose or in pulses for a few weeks at a time. Your vet will be able to advise the best course of action for your pet and which would be appropriate for them.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT If you would like your product featured in a future edition please get in touch editor@companionlife.co.uk

In this edition, we highlight some pet products that we think our readers will love...

Rosewood Pet Products - Smart slow feeder

TastyBone - Two bones are better than one

Fish4Dogs - Mackerel Morsels

RRP: £30.00

RRP: £8.49

This new product is perfect for portion control as it memorises the weight of the food. The anti-scoff design slows down the speed of eating and prevents dogs from taking in excess air when they eat, reducing bloating and improving digestion.

Two bones are better than one, with our full of flavour Twin Pack. Like all of our nylon chews, this TastyBone product has been tested on the most vigorous of chewers. Made from 100% virgin nylon, it is guaranteed to last. With every bite your dog’s gums and teeth become stronger and healthier, protecting against infections, tooth loss and vets fees. This Twin Pack includes lip-smackingly delicious Beef Wellington and Chicken Cordon Bleu flavour bones and is designed for toy and small dogs.

Fish4Dogs Mackerel Morsels conditioning treats for dogs are made with fresh mackerel and salmon – they have all the yumminess that discerning dogs expect from fish but with some added extras to support your dog’s health.

It couldn’t be easier to use - simply pour the food into the elevated bowl and the scale does the rest!

Weighs up to 2000 grams / 4.4 pounds. www.rosewoodpet.com/ dog/feed-time/smart-slowfeeder/smart-slow-feeder

www.pawdyguard.co.uk

Prices from £3.50 (225g)

They contain krill – a superior form of Omega 3, green lipped mussels – a source of glucosamine and chondroitin that aids cartilage repair, algae – also a rich and sustainable form of Omega 3 and spirulina which is rich in antioxidant Vitamin A and a natural source of iron. www.fish4dogs.com/ products/mackerel-morselscoat-skin-joint.aspx

Nutrabio - for tummy upsets & diarrhoea Prices from £16.99

Maintaining optimum digestive health for your pet is vital to ensure they lead a happy and healthy life. Nutrabio is a naturally formulated paste for dogs and cats, developed with a high strength composition of Probiotic bacteria, Prebiotics, Sweet Basil and Kaolin, which combine to help normalise digestive function when your pet is suffering from diarrhoea. Nutrabio’s proven natural ingredients aid natural digestive balance, promote friendly bacteria and replenish the natural balance of gut bacteria. www.nutravet.co.uk/ nutrabio

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ARTICLE

Understanding digestive A pet’s digestive system includes all the organs that are involved in taking in and processing food. It begins with the mouth and includes the oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines and rectum.

Digestive health is a common reason why many pet owners take their dog or cat to visit the vet. Dogs are curious and can often eat food they’re not supposed to and even scavenge whilst out on walks. Some breeds of dogs, such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Collies are more prone to particular digestive problems.

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health in pets As an owner it’s important to look out for any changes to your pet’s digestive health.

Common signs that your pet may be suffering could include: • Changes in appetite • Diarrhoea • Regurgitation or vomiting • Weight loss • Sensitive to touch tummy • Lack of energy • Fever

There could be a number of reasons why your pet may have developed a digestive problem, which can include: Eating food not meant for them Often owners feed pets human food or too many treats, which can be too rich and hard for them to digest, resulting in an upset tummy and diarrhoea.

Diet change Changing your pet’s diet could lead to tummy upsets.

Some pets can suffer from food allergies and intolerances.

Sudden changes to their diet can cause diarrhoea and for some pets it could make them less likely to eat the food being offered.

Stress Like owners, pets can also develop an upset tummy or diarrhoea if they are anxious.

Chronic stress or frequent bouts of short-term stress can cause a range of negative reactions, including loss of appetite.

Gastrointestinal disorders These can affect a dog’s stomach and intestines, resulting in pain and other problems. In adult dogs with chronic gastrointestinal upset, the two most common problems are inflammatory gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease. In some cases, there is no specific cause and it can simply be an overactive immune response in the digestive tract.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) It’s not clear what causes IBD in dogs and it could stem from multiple problems. For this reason, your vet will attempt to rule out all other causes of your dog’s symptoms first. It has been suggested that dogs suffering with IBD have developed an intolerance to the beneficial bacteria in their gut, which means their diet plays a significant role in treatment.

Constipation This can have several causes, including a lack of exercise, dehydration and eating

Top tips for your pet’s digestive health: • Feed your pet a good quality diet and prevent them from scavenging on walks, eating table scraps or too many treats • Ensure your pet stays hydrated and drinks plenty of water • Keep up-to-date with your pet’s flea and worm treatment • Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise to help stimulate intestinal movement.

• Utilise a probiotic supplement such as Nutrabio, Vetpro, Canikur, Prokolin or Nutraflora when your pet has an upset.

indigestible objects, such as bones or other foreign objects or very low fibre foods.

Diarrhoea This can be caused by several issues, infections, internal parasites, stress, a change in dog food, eating table scraps or rich snacks, eating spoiled food from the rubbish bins and body organ dysfunction.

Drugs/NSAIDS Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause side effects in the digestive tract both directly and indirectly. The direct effects are related to the drugs’ physical properties. Many NSAIDs become trapped in the stomach and are slightly acidic so they directly irritate the stomach lining.

Treatment Digestive problems in pets can be common and the most of them may clear up within a few days. A good rule of thumb is that if any of your dog’s digestive problems continue for more than 48 hours, you should speak to your vet. However, some pets do need

long-term management because they have regular or permanent digestive issues.

Your pet’s food and treatment can have a substantial impact on their digestive health. Generally, most digestive issues are treatable and manageable with the help and advice from your vet. The primary goal is to alleviate your pet’s symptoms, so your vet may suggest switching their diet to something bland and digestible, such as boiled chicken and rice to prevent irritation of the stomach and intestines.

Probiotics for your pet’s gut health To help maintain long-term gut health and a healthy digestive balance, Probiotics can help with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic or infectious diarrhoea. Probiotics can also help to optimise the efficiency of the immune response to help fight infection and boost the immune system whilst helping to repopulate the balance of good bacteria that antibiotics can wipe out.

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Q&A

Q&A

Cats Protection

Jacqui Cuff, Head of Advocacy and Government Relations

In our latest Q&A, Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy and Government Relations, Jacqui Cuff, answers our questions about the importance of microchipping cats and how the national charity is campaigning to make it a legal requirement.

Why would you urge cat owners to ensure their cats are microchipped?

We’d urge owners to get their cats ‘chipped as it is a safe and permanent method of identification which increases the chances of a lost cat being safely reunited with its owner.

Last year eight out of 10 stray cats taken in by the charity’s Adoption Centres in England were not microchipped, making it virtually impossible to trace an owner.

Microchipping also means that injured cats can be quickly identified by vets so that their owners are informed and involved in their care. It’s also worth remembering that microchips avoid the risks posed to cats by an elasticated or ill-fitting collar, which could result in serious injury. If people choose to fit a collar to a cat, it’s advisable that it has a quick release device on it and we’d recommend that a cat is microchipped even if it has a collar.

Can you tell us a little bit about the work Cats Protection is doing to make microchipping a legal requirement for cat owners?

We’ve long been campaigning for microchipping to be made compulsory for owned cats and have set up a petition so that people can support us. We note that the government recently announced a call for evidence into the compulsory microchipping for cats, so we’d be grateful if as many cat lovers could sign the petition and make their voices heard. The petition can be found here: www.cats.org.uk/ microchippingpetition Is microchipping safe for your cat? Will it hurt them?

Microchipping is very simple and is no more painful than an injection.

A microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under the cat’s skin between the shoulder blades. Cats are not aware of the microchip’s presence once it has been inserted.

How do the regional snip and chip campaigns help?

We operate reduced cost neutering and microchipping programmes across the country so that we can offer some help to cat owners who are on limited incomes and struggling to meet the costs.

The programmes vary in size and scope and the neutering and microchipping work is done in partnership with local participating vet practices. To find out if you are eligible please ring Cats Protection’s neutering helpline 03000 12 12 12 (selecting option 2) or alternatively visitwww.cats. org.uk/what-we-do/ neutering/neuteringcampaigns for details of any programmes in your area.

What advice would you offer to anyone wishing to adopt a cat or take on a new pet?

If people are thinking of adopting cats then please do get in touch with your local Cats Protection branch or

adoption centre. At any one time there are thousands of unwanted cats in our care, so adopting a cat from us will give you a loving companion animal and free up space for us to take in another unwanted cat. Every cat adopted from us is microchipped, neutered if old enough, vaccinated, has received flea and worming treatment and comes with four weeks’ free insurance.

Please visit www.cats.org.uk/ find-us to find details of your local Cats Protection.

How can people help, or support Cats Protection should they wish?

There are many ways to support Cats Protection including adopting a cat, getting your cat neutered, becoming a volunteer or making a donation.

Further details can be found at www.cats.org.uk/support-us and we’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to anyone who chooses to support us.

Recognise yourself?

/animals

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ADVICE FROM THE EXPERT

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How to keep your rabbit warm in winter

By Emma Purnell, RVN Cert.Nut. Rabbits are often a species kept outside, but in extreme temperatures this means they can be more severely affected.

Wild rabbits are naturally able to regulate their temperature well, as long as they can stay active and seek shelter if they need it.

Making sure your rabbit’s environment allows them to do this, will help it to be able to stay warm and all activity should be encouraged.

Encouraging foraging behaviour including scatter feeding and hiding hay within boxes can help as well as providing plenty of fun toys and puzzle feeders.

One thing to consider is the positioning of the accommodation, both the hutch and the run. If they can be placed in sheltered spots, possibly close to walls or foliage, this can provide some insulation. They should also be away from cold winds and draughts which can dramatically affect the temperature in terms of wind chill. Still allow access to their full run though, being active will always help to raise body temperature!

Ensuring your pet is in good health before winter will make a big difference to the care needed. If a rabbit is ill or underweight, moving them indoors before the cooler weather starts would be advised.

Keeping rabbits in pairs is recommended for many reasons but helping prevent them from getting too cold in winter by making sure they have a friend to cuddle up to can make a big difference!

Insulation in the form of

covers can not only trap heat but they can be great protection from drafts.

Some hutches have specific covers that you can buy for them, but you must always ensure they still have proper ventilation when covered and that the covers cannot be chewed. Tarpaulins, with old blankets underneath can be enough to make a significant difference to the temperature. Converted sheds and summer houses should ideally be insulated when being converted as using insulation within the walls can protect from both extremes of heat and cold.

The insulating materials will need to be covered over, again to avoid it being chewed and the risks of ingestion.

The materials that you use within the bedding area is vital in winter. Straw is of very little nutritional value when eaten but is good at trapping in the heat when used as bedding material. It is important that any bedding is kept clean and dry so it will need changing regularly and adding it to a cardboard box to allow them to snuggle in a smaller area. Regular checks must be made when using straw, particularly of the eyes, as it can occasionally cause hay pokes, damage or infection. Ensuring there are no leaks and the housing is water tight is also vital.

Fluffy bedding and ‘snuggle sack’ type beds can help to trap air next to the pet and raise the temperature a little but monitoring them chewing it is important.

Providing heat sources can be useful but which sources we use are very important.

Things like hot water bottles

are not recommended as they can cause scalding if chewed. Microwave, pet specific heat pads with material covers are recommended instead but should be used under supervision and discarded if there is any damage or wear.

Fan heaters and similar can be used to heat areas but should never be placed directly pointed at a pet, always under strict supervision and never where rabbits can chew them or their cables as this is an electrocution risk.

Any heat source should be provided with care and the rabbits given the opportunity to sit near them or to stay away from them if they get too warm.

In cold weather, if in either a bottle or a bowl, fresh water can rapidly freeze. Checking regularly to make sure the pet has access to clean, fresh, unfrozen water is vital and covers can be purchased to insulate the water bottles to try to avoid that happening – although still check as in very cold temperatures it can still freeze!

In real extremes people

can be tempted to move their outdoor pets indoor to help to keep them warm.

While the intention is good, the dramatic shift in temperature can cause more problems than it solves. A better idea is to move them into a protected but unheated environment such as a garage or shed, ensuring they still have natural light. This protects them from draughts but will also raise the temperature a few degrees from outside.

Emma qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2008 and works for Nutravet (UK) Ltd. She has a BSc in Zoology with Animal Ecology and an MSc in Ecology, helping to fuel her interest in more exotic species. She has a particular love of small furries and has a grade A distinction in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition (CertNut).

Does your pet have stiff joints?

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Ask your vet for more information or find your local authorised stockist at www.nutravet.co.uk Support British manufacturing

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