Winter is here, so make sure you’re equipped with all the essentials to keep your beloved pet warm, safe and happy this season. From comfortable beds and cuddly blankets to enrichment toys and more, here are our top 5 must-haves for your beloved pet this winter.
1. Comfortable bed
A quality, well-constructed winter bed placed in a quiet part of your home is perfect for your pet to dose off while listening to the pouring rain outside. Consider the fleecy Wagworld Nookie Bag for cats and dogs who love to burrow and hide, or a nest-shaped bed like the Olly & Max Cosy Pod for pets who like to sleep in a curled up position. The Olly & Max Cosy Dome ensures that your cat is covered from all sides as they sleep, while the Wagworld Canvas Futon is highly recommended for larger dogs with achy joints due to its excellent weight support. Take your pick from a wide variety of comfortable beds for cats and dogs in store or Online!
2. Cuddly blanket
A cuddly blanket is another winter essential. Even if your pet has a thick, soft coat, they might still appreciate the extra warmth of a blanket, especially on those cold winter days! A blanket made of soft touch fleece, such as the Olly & Max Blanket, provides some much-needed insulation against the cold. In terms of size, a smaller blanket can help add warmth to beds, crates or kennels, while an oversized blanket can double as a pillow and add to the overall comfort as your pet sleeps. Machine washable blankets come with an added convenience to you. However, try to refrain from using overly scented detergents, as these may irritate sensitive noses.
For added warmth, consider popping the warming bag of this All For Paws Warm Bear in the microwave and adding it to your pet’s bed – but supervise them with this comforting toy at all times.
3. Cosy outfit
A cosy outfit is important, especially for smaller pet breeds, short-haired pets and pets with little body fat. However, given the right (or wrong!) weather, a warm, practical outfit is essential no matter what breed of pet you have. Absolute Pets has a wide variety of stylish, functional winter clothing to choose from, including jackets, hoodies, sweaters, capes and more! One of our favourites include the comfortable Olly & Max Hoodie which has a convenient leash hole on the back to easily attach your leash for those brisk outdoor walks. The Dog’s Life Puffer Vest is another winter favourite as it has a water-resistant outer with a flannel fleece lining to help keep your pet warm and dry.
4. Enrichment toys
When the weather won’t permit you to play outside with your pet or take them for a walk, there are always fun toys to help keep them busy and entertained indoors. Remember, pets tend to gain weight as they become less active during winter. Help to prevent this by providing lots of toys and games.
Treat-stuffing toys, such as the Rogz Grinz Fetch Ball, KONG Extreme and KONG Classic are perfect brain stimulators for your dog and will keep them working to get the treats out of the toy. Interactive puzzle toys, like the GiGwi Hide 'n Seek can also help prevent boredom and provide mental stimulation. To keep your feline friend busy and entertained indoors during winter, wand toys allow for interactive play and bonding, while an indoor cat tree sprinkled with catnip gives your cat something to climb, jump on, scratch and explore.
5. Joint supplements
The cold, damp weather can make things a little difficult for pets with joint problems. Contributing factors include age, breed and excess weight – we advise a check-up with your vet so that you can make sure you are doing everything to minimise such pain. You can also look out for ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, which help with inflammation, joint cushioning and pain reduction. These can be given as a supplement, such as the Herbal Pet Joint Formula (for dogs), GCS Joint Care Advanced Omega Chews (for dogs) Kyron MobiFlex (for cats and small dogs), or are often incorporated into good quality pet food such as Lokuno Veterinary Diet - Joint Care (for dogs).
We hope you find what you need to keep your pet warm, happy and healthy this winter. If you need any assistance finding the right products for your beloved pet, please don't hesitate to contact us on info@absolutepets.com or speak to a Pet Care Advisor in store.
The Absolute Pets Team!