PDSA Weekly Q&A

Dear PDSA, now it's getting wintery, is it still ok for me to walk my dogs, Patch and Pingu in the snow? Where we live gets quite snowy and it's our first winter with them, as we adopted them earlier this year. Thank you, Kassim 
 
Hi Kassim, it's important for dogs to stay active even in colder weather, so you can definitely take Patch and Pingu out in the snow! However, snow and ice can build up on dogs' paws and cause them discomfort. You can prepare their paws by keeping the fur between their paw pads trimmed, so there's less hair for snow to gather on. When you get home from a snowy walk, soak off any snow from Patch and Pingu's paws in some warm water. This is also helpful to rinse off any grit or salt they may have picked up on their feet. We always recommend keeping your dogs on a lead, especially around frozen ponds or lakes, and busy roads in the dark, to ensure they remain safe and out of harms way. For more winter advice head to: www.pdsa.org.uk/winterhealth 

Dear PDSA, how can I keep my male cat, Kimchi safe in the dark nights? Roman 

Hi Roman, there's a few things you can do to help keep Kimchi safe. First off, if Kimchi isn't already neutered that's a good place to start. Neutering means he'll be less likely to roam. Keeping Kimchi indoors during the night will be helpful – you can start feeding him when it's going dusk so he knows to come back for food before it gets dark. Alternatively, you can install cat proof fencing or a cat patio to your garden if you want Kimchi to be able to come and go freely, but stay in a safe secure area. Ensuring Kimchi is microchipped, which is now a legal requirement for cats in England, will make sure you're reunited swiftly should you part ways and having pet insurance to help with vets fees is vital should accidents happen. More information about caring for cats can be found here: www.pdsa.org.uk/cat-road-safety-advice 

Dear PDSA, I'm looking to get a pet and have heard about the 5 Welfare Needs, what are they? Marsha 

Hi Marsha, it's great you want to find out more before welcoming a pet into your life! The 5 Welfare Needs are what each pet owner needs to provide for their pet by law. What they are and what they mean are as follows: Health – protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease. This means making sure that your pet has veterinary care for both preventive treatments and if they become ill or injured. Behaviour – the ability to naturally behave for their species. Companionship – to be housed with or apart from other animals as appropriate for their species. Diet – a suitable diet, which can include feeding appropriately for your pet's life stage, as well as feeding the right amounts, plus access to clean, fresh water. And finally, Environment – Providing the right type of home, with a comfortable place to rest, hide and space to exercise and explore. Find out more about pets, their health and welfare, and caring for their needs here: www.pdsa.org.uk/phh 

Dear PDSA, we'd like to get our dog, Minnie, a Christmas present this year but we're being cautious with spending. Is there anything we can do as a family that will make for a great gift for Minnie? Thanks Rochelle 

Hi Rochelle, although everyone else will want gifts at Christmas, Minnie won't expect any presents. A gift that won't break the bank though; 'tug toys' - they provide endless fun for dogs, and they're easy to make at home. Find some old t-shirts or blankets and cut out three thick strips of strong fabric. Using your recycled material, tie them together at the top and plait them down their length. Tie the ends, and there you have it – a fun, cheap and simple tug toy for Minnie. Don't forget, you'll need to supervise Minnie when playing with her new toy to make sure she doesn't tear off any pieces she could swallow. 

For more information visit pdsa.org.uk  

PDSA is the UK's largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn. Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information.