For those of us with small furries like rabbits, hamsters and ferrets, winter time can bring a few additional welfare needs that you’ll need to be aware of to ensure your pets are snuggly and happy through the colder months. Here’s some advice from our resident smalls expert on how best to prepare for this.

Winter may not be quite here yet, but now’s the time to start preparing if you have pets at home. Small animals, like other pets, feel the cold too, so although your pet may be used to living outside for some of the time, there are a few additional things you’ll need to do when the weather starts to turn colder. These include:

  • Bring outdoor animals inside, or put them in a well insulated shed.
  • Provide pet-safe heat pads covered with fleece (although be aware that some rodents, such as chinchillas, can easily overheat and actually prefer cooler climes).
  • Provide extra bedding so your pet can snuggle up.
  • Keep your social animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets) in pairs or groups so they can cuddle up together. Remember that different species should not be mixed together.
  • Although you will be spending less time in the garden, it is important that you still check on your outdoor pets several times a day.
  • Check the enclosure daily for leaks, their bedding is dry, and they have enough food and water.
  • Remember, even if the weather is bad, rabbits and guinea pigs still need daily exercise. If you can’t bring them inside, ensure their run is weather proof. Sheds are a great option for housing rabbit and guinea pigs all year round, as they provide plenty of space for when they need to be kept inside.

Finally, remember that as we get closer to Christmas and visitors start popping round more often, you might want to ensure your pets keep to their usual routine as much as possible, and have a safe space they can retreat to if it all gets too much. Some small animals like being handled, but not all of them, so making sure that any visitors you do have are aware of this and behave in a way that’s sympathetic to the needs of your pet is key.