WITH the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings this week, RSPCA Cymru is urging people to ensure their pets and animals are comfortable and cared for during the bitter chill of winter.

Temperatures have certainly dropped across Wales with the Met Office issuing several yellow warnings across Powys over the weekend, with with snow and ice affecting north and mid Wales at the start of 2021.

The RSPCA’s pet welfare specialist Sam Gaines said: “Though we’ve already had some frosty spells during the last few weeks, temperatures are plummeting and we’re all being warned now of ice and even snow.

“It’s really important we help our animal friends get through the chilly weather, and we’ve got lots of helpful advice and tips available for people to make sure their own pets, and local wildlife, are kept safe.”

In terms of people’s pets, most are lucky enough to sleep indoors throughout the year. For those that don’t, like rabbits and guinea pigs perhaps, the RSPCA advises keeping a closer eye on outdoor pets. If the temperature starts to reach freezing, you may wish to consider moving your rabbit hutch inside or into an outhouse, shed or unused garage. We recommend that guinea pigs are housed indoors when temperatures are below 15oC. If you bring your rabbits or guinea pigs indoors, they still need plenty of time and room to exercise in a safe and secure environment. If you have to leave them outside, you must provide them with lots of extra bedding, such as dust-free hay, and make sure their home is protected from adverse weather. For example, covers can be purchased to help insulate hutches in the winter months, but care must be taken to ensure there is adequate ventilation.

For rabbits and guinea pigs housed in a hutch, a sloped roof is preferable to allow water to drain away. Hutches should be raised off the ground by at least four inches and placed in a sheltered position, facing away from wind and rain.

If your rabbit or guinea pig gets wet, rub them dry with a towel and make sure they have plenty of warm bedding.

Cats should have constant access to the house or to a warm, inside area such as an outbuilding or barn with appropriate heating.

Be aware that antifreeze and rock salt can be poisonous to pets.

If you keep pet birds in aviaries, coops, or runs, then you should also protect them from the cold weather. Provide plenty of additional dry, warm bedding such as straw and cover enclosures to keep the wind and rain out. Birds will eat more to keep warm in cold conditions so ensure the birds always have access to plenty of food and fresh water, ensuring water does not freeze over.

If you have a fish pond check it every day to make sure the surface is not entirely frozen as poisonous gases can build up under the ice. Don’t break the ice as this can harm the fish, but carefully place a saucepan of hot water on the surface to gently melt a hole in the ice. Never tip boiling water straight onto the pond either, as this can also harm or kill any fish living there. And never try to use antifreeze or salt to thaw frozen ponds or birdbaths.

Horses and livestock require extra time and care in the colder months.

Ensure they have adequate shelter and be prepared to provide extra feed and good quality long fibre, as grass is often sparse. It is also important to check water troughs and buckets are clear of ice.

If it is particularly wet and muddy, it is important to regularly check hooves, for problems such as abscesses and loose shoes, and legs, for any signs of mud fever. Owners should ensure horses have access to a dry resting area, out of the mud.

In terms of wildlife, birds can struggle to find food during the winter months so, to help them, householders can leave out extra food.

You can feed them suitable seeds and grains, like oats and sunflower seeds; cooked pasta or rice; boiled potatoes, cheese, or uncooked unsalted bacon rind; raisins and sultanas. Keep bird baths free of ice, leave out bowls of clean water, and keep any feeders and water bowls clean.

Make sure you check carefully any wood or leaf piles for wild animals such as hedgehogs, frogs and mice, before lighting any fires or bonfires.

Remember, if you see an animal outside in the cold that looks like it is suffering, take a note of the location, the time and date and call the RSPCA on the emergency line 0300 1234 999.

Adam Grogan, head of wildlife at the RSPCA, said: “As the weather turns colder it is important to think about what we can do to help our animal friends.

“Every year, hundreds of wild animals are brought into RSPCA wildlife centres in December, January and February suffering from dehydration, hunger and cold.

“A few little changes to your everyday routine can really make a difference to animals. For example, a little bit of extra food left out for a hungry bird may be the help it needs to last through a spate of frosty weather.”

In an emergency, contact us on our 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999. To help our rescue teams continue to reach the animals who desperately need us this winter, visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas and join the winter rescue.