It's time to gear up for your pet's winter care

Our furry buddies have different coats – thicker than our skin. But it doesn’t matter because they feel cold like we humans do. While buying warmers, make sure the clothing is not too tight, and have correct measurements. Use shoes to protect paws of our buddies and apply coconut oil daily before going to bed. This helps to keep the paws moisturised. Make sure you have proper bedding in place. The material should be of cotton or microfibre. Nylon or polyester can make your pet very uncomfortable, which can lead to itchiness or skin irritation.
Burns, Ouch!
Pet proof your home and secure your pet from any appliances/fireplace which can cause any kind of burn or injury. If staying in high altitude, one can use the room heater and place it out of reach from the furry buddies and children, so that they don’t fall sick. Take special care of elderly pets and the young ones.

Water, quench the thirst
No matter which season, keep your pet hydrated. Make sure the furry buddies have access to clean water every time. Make sure the pet food and water bowl are washed twice a day.

Do not overfeed
Pets put on pounds this season. Shedding is a big challenge. Always feed them the right quantity. If your pet is a foodie, make 3-4 parts of food and feed it over the day.

Exercise
Make sure your pet exercises in the warmer part of the day. We also need to compensate for their less ourdoor time by indulging them with indoor activities or games like running up-down the stairs, hide and seek, fetch and throw, etc. This keeps them alert, active, and helps burn calories.

Daily grooming
Grooming on a daily basis is essential. Every pet has a different coat and needs different attention.
Short coat – Comb the pet at least twice daily. If there’s a lot of hairfall, use a fine comb or furminator comb. Always brush the coat starting from tail to head.
Long coat – Comb your pet’s fur twice a day. Use a tick and flea comb or a narrow comb. Use a hair serum to keep the coat soft and untangled.
Eye cleaning – Use rosewater on cotton ball to remove the dirt near the eyes.
Oral care – Use oral spray daily to control plaque and odour.
Paws – Wash the paws every time the pet returns from his walks. Apply coconut oil on paw-pads before bed. This will help keep the paw-pads moisturised, and prevent them from cracking and hardening.

Pampering
One can groom the pet at home or opt for a spa service. Proper grooming from a professional is a must at least once every alternate month. Nail clipping is imperative too, keep the nails short – there is high chance of getting nails chipped or getting curled into the skin if grown very long.
Use Epiotic solution on cotton ball to clean the ears. For dental hygiene, use the oral spray or denta paste. Trim the hair near anal sac and behind the paws using a pet trimmer. Long coat pets can have a shorter coat to prevent it from getting matted or tangled. But never opt for zero shave. Make sure you are using a mild pet shampoo and conditioner. Avoid any kind of fur whitening shampoos and chemical wash. Make sure you wash the pet thoroughly with plenty of water. If not washed properly, pets might feel itchy which can cause skin infection. Blow-dry the pet after the wash. Avoid using deodorants or deo powders within 24 hours of bathing. For ticks and flea, consult your vet.

Daily checklist
- See to it that all vaccinations are up to date.
- Deworm your pet every four months.
- Feed pets on time.
-Pet should always have access to clean water.
- Dress the pet in T-shirts or warm clothes.
- Keep medicine and unsafe things secured and out of reach.
-Comb the pets in opposite direction (tail to head).
-Wash paws after walk.
-Engage your pet in indoor activities for at least 20-30 mins.
-Have a first-aid kit at home for pet and a vet’s number handy.

(Almas Shariff is a pet groomer)
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