As temperatures plummet, it’s time to dig out your winter woollies, extra thick socks and padded, all-weather jacket. But what should you do to keep your pets cosy, safe and happy? Our expert tips can help you take good care of your pet friends this winter.
Expert approved
Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB, MRCVS
13th November 2025
Unless you’re a fan of cold-water swimming, ice hockey or cross-country skiing, winter can be a bit on the challenging side. Reduced daylight and dipping temperatures can lead to a case of the winter blues for both people and their pets. However, our pets rely on us to haul ourselves up off the sofa and do everything we can to keep them warm, dry, safe and occupied throughout the cold, dark winter months. Sound a little daunting? Don’t panic! We’re here to help with lots of expert advice and inspiration!
“Just like us, our pets might need a little extra TLC over the winter months,” advises Veterinary charity PDSA. “They must stay safe, warm and active as temperatures start to drop, whether you have a dog, cat or a smaller pet.”
Read on to find out more about:
- How animal behaviour changes in winter
- Advice on the best ways to keep pets warm, dry and safe
- Extra steps to protect small pets in winter weather
- Ideas for keeping pets active and happy
- Why certain breeds or pets with health conditions find winter difficult to cope with
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR CHANGES IN WINTER
If your canine chum is more reluctant to go out for walkies than usual, your feline friend prefers curling up in their cat igloo to pouncing on toys, and your small pets are huddled up together in a deep pile of hay, it’s all completely natural.
The RSPCA says: “Like wild animals, the natural behaviours of our pets change through the seasons. Knowing what’s normal for your pet in winter will help you spot if something’s wrong. Providing your pet with cosy spots, indoor enrichment through toys and exercise, and a healthy diet can help them enjoy winter.”
The charity notes that during the winter months, it’s natural for our pets to:
- Seek warmth and shelter — many pets may curl up in warm places in the house, such as on blankets, in the sunlight, or by radiators.
- Want to stay indoors — if your pets venture outdoors they may become more reluctant to during winter if it’s wet, cold or snowing.
- Huddle — pets that enjoy companionship may become more affectionate during winter, cuddling with each other or their owners for comfort and warmth.
- Eat more and drink less — like their wild counterparts, some pets may want to eat more, in order to bulk up and preserve body temperature. They may also drink less, but dry indoor air and heated environments can lead to dehydration so make sure they always have access to fresh drinking water.
- Groom more — pets may groom themselves more to keep their coats in good condition to ensure they stay warm.
OUR PETS NEED US TO KEEP THEM WARM AND DRY
Just like us, our pets need to keep warm and dry, or they risk getting very poorly.
“Cold, wet conditions can cause pets to become chilled, making them more vulnerable to illnesses like frostbite, hypothermia, or respiratory infections,” says the RSPCA. “Pets with short coats or those not accustomed to the cold are especially at risk. By ensuring they stay dry and warm with proper shelter, clothing, or indoor warmth, we help protect them from these dangers and ensure they stay healthy, comfortable, and happy during the colder months.”
TOP TIP!
Your dog can’t catch a cold, but if you see similar symptoms – such as a runny nose, coughing and sneezing – consult your vet. Your pet may have caught an infectious disease, such as kennel cough.
Source: Petplan
“As with humans, exposure to extremely cold temperatures for extended periods can cause illness in pets,” adds the British Veterinary Association (BVA). “To avoid this, vets are asking owners to consider putting a coat on old dogs or those with thin fur to keep them warm.”
The BVA also advises that older cats should be kept inside during extreme cold snaps and healthy, young cats must have easy access to shelter and warmth.
“If you’d like your cat to shield from the winter elements indoors, make sure you have a clean litter tray in a quiet spot that they can easily access, so they don’t feel the need to venture outside when nature calls,” suggests Petplan. “Provide plenty of food throughout the day and ensure their water bowl is clean and topped up. Make sure they also have access to plenty of toys and enrichment activities. Keep them entertained by playing indoor games with them, snuggling up on the sofa, and paying them lots of attention – this can help them associate ‘staying in’ with enjoyment.”
TOP TIP!
Noticed your cat sneezing or having a runny nose? The symptoms of cat flu are usually caused by various viruses and bacteria. It can make your cat get a sore throat, runny eyes and nose. Other symptoms can present such as muscle and joint pain, fever, loss of appetite and eye ulcers. It’s important to see the vet as soon as possible when you notice any of the symptoms.
Source: Cats Protection
OUR SMALL PETS NEED US TO TAKE EXTRA STEPS TO PROTECT THEM
Small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs really need extra support in cold weather.
BVA President, Justine Shotton, says: “Owners should take steps to ensure any outdoor hutches are well protected from the snow, cold draughts and winter rain. If you have any concerns about your pet in this cold weather, please consult your local vet for advice.”
“If you are keeping your pet outside, beds or houses should be raised off the ground to prevent the base becoming too cold, damp or rotten, adds Vets4pets. “Bedding should always be fresh and dry as it will freeze overnight even if it's slightly damp.”
TOP TIP!
Make sure your rabbits and guinea pigs have extra bedding to keep warm during colder weather – line hutches with plenty of newspaper, provide lots of hay and cover the hutch with an old duvet, blanket or tarpaulin. If the weather becomes very severe, consider moving outdoor pets inside to a well-ventilated space with light and room to exercise – but never place them inside a garage which is in-use, as vehicle exhaust fumes are harmful to rabbits and guinea pigs.
Source: BVA
“If you choose to keep your guinea pigs outdoors, consider moving their hutch to a sheltered or covered area like a shed or outbuilding to protect them from the wind and rain,” advises rehoming charity Woodgreen.
“Guinea pigs are likely to spend more of their time in their cosy sleeping areas and hiding spaces over the winter months, so make sure you do daily spot cleans to remove and replace any dirty bedding. This will help your piggies to stay comfortable and warm, whilst also helping to prevent health problems. Guinea pigs like to snuggle up together when it’s cold. Make sure your piggy has a friend to snuggle up with.”
“Make sure really small pets, like hamsters or mice, are kept indoors, away from any cold draughts,” adds veterinary charity PDSA. “You might need to move their enclosure to a warmer part of the house and away from windows.”
OUR PETS NEED US TO KEEP THEM SAFE FROM HARM
It’s tempting to reach for the antifreeze when things get icy, but, if you have pets, you must be extremely cautious.
Accidental poisoning from antifreeze is a serious risk, particularly for cats: “Over half (51%) of vets who treated toxic ingestion in cats saw cases caused by antifreeze,” reports the BVA. “Store and use antifreeze products carefully, clean any spillages thoroughly, and contact your vet immediately if your cat develops any changes to their behaviour or worrying symptoms such as vomiting, depression or seizures.”
Walkies in the dark is another risk that needs addressing: “Poor visibility during dark morning and late afternoon walks can put you and your pet at risk of road accidents. Invest in a reflective vest or coat, or LED gear, to keep you both seen and safe,” advises the RSPCA. There are all sorts of great products to consider – from LED dog jackets and fleecy hi-vis neckerchiefs to colourful flashing collars.
Winter can also be tough on your dog’s paws. It can help to carefully trim away any long hair between your dog’s pads, as this will prevent uncomfortable ice balls forming around them. Also try applying a thin layer of Vaseline or specially designed nose and paw balm to protect their pads and prevent cracking.
TOP TIP!
When you’re out on your walk, look out for antifreeze and rock salt on the ground, as these can be fatal to both dogs and cats. They may lick the substances off their paws or fur. Thoroughly wipe their feet, legs and tummy after a walk or time outside during cold weather, when there may be grit on the ground.
Source: RSPCA
OUR PETS NEED US TO HELP THEM KEEP ACTIVE
Regular exercise helps boost the immune system, improve mood by releasing endorphins, and combat the lethargy that comes with colder, darker months – whether you’re human or animal!
“It’s important to keep your pets active whatever the weather,” says PDSA. “Get them some new toys and make sure you play with them regularly, especially if they go out less over winter. Cats will be most active at dawn and dusk (prime hunting time) so try to make sure you play with them then.”
“Enrichment games have both mental and physical benefits. They also teach a variety of skills, such as problem-solving, confidence, agility and searching,” adds Dogs Trust. “The mental exercise of training can be just as tiring as physical exercise for our dogs. So, teach your dog new tricks using reward-based training. Not only will they learn new skills, but it will also help improve your relationship and boost their confidence.”
TOP TIP!
Although most dogs should be walked daily, their ears, paws and nose are exposed to the elements during colder weather. With this in mind, make walks shorter during winter – and you can always make these more frequent if your dog has lots of energy. Always start slowly, giving your dog’s muscles the opportunity to warm up.
Source: Petplan
“It’s really important you don’t let your dog become a winter couch potato!” says PDSA. “If they’re reluctant to go out in bad weather, wait until there’s a break in the weather to make sure they still get their outdoor fun. Walks might be shorter than normal outside, so enjoy a few extra play sessions inside, so that no one is missing out on vital exercise and remember that if the exercise level has dropped, so should how much you feed!”
TOP TIP!
Avoid walking in areas where ponds or lakes may have frozen over – animals often don’t understand the difference between solid ground and ice and can fall through. In this situation, owners should call the emergency services for professional help rather than going in after their pet themselves.
Source: BVA
Encouraging your cat to engage in some playtime will help keep your feline friend’s mind and body stimulated when they’re stuck indoors.
Animal wellbeing charity Blue Cross advises: “Cats like movement so the toy must be one that can move in rapid and unpredictable ways, just like a mouse or bird. Toys that reflect light or appear to change in some way are particularly attractive. Cats also like toys with different textures that are around the size of their natural prey.”
The charity advises playing for a few short sessions every day, providing a variety of toys, allowing your cat to catch and grab the toy at the end of each game and, tidying away toys at the end of each session for safety.
TOP TIP!
Cats often shelter under cars in cold and wet weather, or even climb inside the bonnet to be next to a warm engine. Always check your car for visitors who may have climbed up inside or knock on the bonnet before you start it.
Source: PDSA
Rabbits also like to keep busy. “In the wild, rabbits would spend their time digging, running, jumping, rearing up, hiding, eating, socialising with other rabbits (and being alone sometimes too). To allow your pet rabbits to carry out their natural behaviours they need to be given plenty to do,” advises Rabbit Welfare.
The charity recommends supplying willow balls to bat about, tunnels and hideouts to run in and out of, digging boxes, and plenty of foraging opportunities: “Use a treat ball to feed them, they will nose it around to get the pellets. Willow tunnels stuffed with hay and herbs mixed in their hay are always popular. Stuff paper bags with hay and herbs and your buns will wrestle their way in. Stuff the cardboard tube from inside a toilet roll with hay for your buns to pick out their favourite bits.”
Guinea pigs will also enjoy the same sort of foraging activities. “A forage box can give them a space to dig for tasty treats and herbs,” says Blue Cross. Simply fill a shallow tray with a layer of paper bedding, topped by handfuls of hay, scatter some foraging treats, then watch your piggies unearth all the goodies!
CERTAIN BREEDS FIND WINTER MORE DIFFICULT TO COPE WITH
The RSPCA recommends keeping a close eye on your pets if they have the following conditions and seeking advice from your vet on how best to protect them:
- Flat-faced animals — brachycephalic animals may have difficulty breathing in colder weather.
- Short-coated breeds — animals with shorter coats may be more likely to feel the effects of cold weather. Wrapping them up in a coat when outdoors, or with a heated blanket at home, can help keep them cosy.
- Animals with arthritis — like in humans, cold weather can make animals’ joint pain worse.
- Animals with heart issues — may have difficulty breathing or exercising in colder weather because cold temperatures increase the strain on the heart, reduce oxygen intake, cause airway constriction, and make physical movement more difficult.
TOP TIP!
Snow can hide hazards. Be cautious when letting pets off leads after snowfall and supervise them closely.
Source: RSPCA
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