Cozy Care for Companions: Here's a guide to keep your furry friends warm and wagging!

Winter's frosty grip is not only sending shivers down our spines but also posing challenges for our furry friends. Whether you're a pet parent or a compassionate citizen who loves taking care of the strays, here's some info that could come in handy during the winter season.

We're here with an A-Z guide, full of tips and tricks, that you must have up your sleeves to protect our furry friends this cold season!

With winter drying up the air and leaving our skin parched, our furry friends, including dogs, also experience the discomfort of itchy and scratchy skin during these cold, dry months. The remedy? A simple solution lies in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), known to be the best choice for dogs.

Especially beneficial for dogs who find it difficult to digest omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, olive oil comes to the rescue. It aids in repairing dry, flaky skin, enhancing the shine of your pet's coat, boosting their appetite, and providing relief from constipation.

Olive oil daily dose guidelines:

* Small dogs: 1/2 teaspoon

* Medium dogs: 1 teaspoon

* Large dogs: 2 teaspoons

* Extra-large dogs: 1 tablespoon

Additionally, don’t shave off or trim their coat in winter! Keep your pets warm and dry throughout the day and check under their outer fur coat for any signs of dryness.

While we are aware that we must eat different vegetables and fruits in winter, we don’t seem to do the same for our pet dogs. Most pet parents are unaware of the significance of switching the dog’s nutritional regimen in these cold months. But, fret not! We're here to dispense a few small changes in your pet’s diet that will help keep them healthy for the next few months.

Serve warm food to your dog. It should not be too hot or too cold because piping hot food may scald their tongue. If your dog does not finish the food, empty the bowl immediately afterward and wash it for the next round. Rest, keep these handy tips in mind:

* Add more fatty protein, like red meat, in their diet.

* Add some healthy fat, like extra virgin coconut oil, white butter and ghee, to diets.

* Give them bone broth, which loaded with nutrition. 

* Use leafy greens and vegetables.

* Try dog-friendly berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, acai, cranberries and raspberries.

* Add high-carbohydrate diets like dry kibble.

Along with food intake, you must ensure that your dog is consuming adequate water at normal room temperature. You can also place 2-3 bowls of water in different areas of your home, where your dog is most likely to spend time. The water should be replaced and bowls should be washed regularly.

Avoid going for early morning and late evening walks. Instead, try going for walks during the noon or mid-afternoon hours when the sun shines. You will find a noticeably happy and active behaviour on their part once you do this.

Most of the pets prefer staying indoors during winter months. You can engage their minds by playing interactive, mentally-stimulating games such as sniffing out treats, KONG toys, playing hide and seek and so on. Some dogs also enjoy chewing, which can be a great option for animals to fight boredom, calm their nerves and clean their teeth. Always go for high-quality real chew bones and avoid chemical-laden rawhides, available at neighbourhood pet shops.

Here are some basic paw-care tips you must follow not only in winters but throughout the year:

1. Keep the nails trimmed.

2. Gently clean the paws on a daily basis.

3. Regularly check your pet's paws for ticks.

4. Moisturise and massage their paws gently with natural or artificial fragrant-free oils such as virgin coconut oil or hemp seed oil.

5. Apply first-aid to cuts or cracked paws.

As animal lovers, it is our responsibility to look after community dogs too, especially in these harsh winter months. Many people turn to buying sweaters and jackets for the strays. While our intentions may be to protect the street dogs against cold weather, in many cases it becomes a nuisance for them.

Some street dogs love wearing coats while many don’t. Never force a dog into wearing sweaters and jackets as they will try to remove them later, which has many times resulted in road accidents.

In numerous cases, hidden skin issues flare up drastically when street dogs are forced to wear jackets and are left unattended. Like we suggested for pet dogs, if you choose to put coats and jackets on your community dogs, you must remove the coat during the day so their fur can breathe and regulate their body temperature.

It may not be possible to do this daily, so then how can we protect our strays during the harsh cold season?

We can build/provide a shelter for them by placing old carpets, durris or mattresses. If possible, allow them to take shelter in your building’s  parking area at night. Give them warm food and make sure they have fresh water. Try giving them boiled eggs or warm broth, if possible. A simple warm bowl of porridge with some eggs and kibble will go a long way in keeping them full and warm.

(In collaboration with Nawabi Tails, an NGO and a beacon of hope for animals in need)

Check out https://www.instagram.com/nawabitailsrescue/ to know more.

Contact: 079059 34763