Seasonal Rabbit Advice

Keeping Pets Warm in Cold Weather

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Last Updated: 21/11/25

It’s important to make sure that we keep our pets warm and dry in the colder months, especially when they are outside.

Read on for our top tips on keeping pets warm and comfortable this winter.

Keeping your dog warm in cold weather

Your dog should have a warm, cosy place inside, away from draughts.
Some pets may eat more food when the temperature drops. If your dog’s eating or drinking habits have changed, consider providing smaller, more frequent meals and ensuring that they are drinking enough water. Make sure you leave water bowls around your house so that they can always access it.
When walking your dog in cold weather, they may need a coat. Most fit and healthy dogs will be fine without a coat if they have their own thick fur. Thinner coated dogs and the young, old or sick are likely to need more protection. The coat must fit well and be comfortable.
If you are walking them early or later in the evening when it is dark, you could also consider reflective or light-up collars and attachments, which help you both to be seen better by other road users. Introduce any new items of clothing or new collars or attachments gradually, with lots of encouragement, so your pet feels comfortable wearing them.
Dry off wet legs and paws after walks and remove any dirt or grit, as this could hurt them if left on their skin.
Always keep dogs on the lead in snow and ice so they don’t stumble into hidden holes or unsafe areas.

Provide a warm, comfortable place indoors for your cat to go to, away from any draughts in your home.
In very cold weather, you may want to shut cat flaps and keep your cat indoors, if this would not cause distress to your cat. Be sure to provide bedding and litter trays indoors if you plan to do this.
If your cat gets stressed when confined indoors, make sure they have a cat flap to access the house when needed or a cosy kennel or shed outside where they can stay safe and warm, ideally with food and water available.

Housing should have some shelter from the weather, such as run covers that can be used to keep the rain off your pet’s home. This may mean moving their hutch to a more sheltered part of your garden.
During the colder months, make sure drinking water doesn’t freeze, and provide lots of bedding and fibrous food.
It is important to cover any housing with a blanket or quilt and waterproof materials when temperatures drop – while also leaving space for ventilation and room to stretch and exercise.
Where possible, you should consider between-wall insulation for rabbit and guinea pig housing to prevent extreme fluctuations in temperature.
In extreme weather conditions, consider bringing rabbits and guinea pigs indoors.
Consider the treatments available

For further advice about keeping your pet warm this winter, please contact your local VetPartners practice.