October 25th, 2013 by Becky Calvert

As a nation of animal lovers we are constantly referring to them as ‘part of the family’. And we certainly wouldn't dream of letting our actual family lay shivering on a freezing-cold, chilly December night - so our pets are no exception.

Some dog breeds such as Akitas and Alaskan Malamutes are more adapted to the colder months compared to less furry breeds such as Boxers and Dalmatians. And yes, the Yorkies and Chihuahuas may be able to pull off the cute dog clothing we keep seeing everywhere, but we doubt you'll be seeing a Dalmatian in a sparkly sequin sweater any time soon because we both know that would just look plain silly.

So, here’s how we can help you. It's bound to be your dog's new best friend. After all, they have been known to ease the pain of arthritic animals  and have also been veterinary recommended. Let us introduce you to...

Heated Pet Pads

How cute is he?

This heating pad can be yours for just £19.50!* (Adorable puppy sadly not included.)

These are simply perfect for keeping your canine warm and will particularly benefit older, arthritic animals with joint pains. It can be used as a dog heating pad or a cat heating pad - it’s very versatile. This heated pad has an optimum temperature range of 32-36°C. It’s has a chew-resistant cable cord casing so mischievous dogs are not a problem! These heated dog beds have been recommended by vets and you can buy yours here!

What else can I do?

There are plenty of other ways to make sure your four-legged friend is happy this winter. One way is by grooming them. Ideally you should avoid trimming, shaving or clipping them as their full weight coat is their natural source of warmth in winter. Matted hair isn’t so good at keeping out cold, wet rain and snow so it’s extremely important you look after and maintain their coat. You would probably think that long walks would help your dog fight the chill, but actually, short walks are more beneficial. You can still accomplish enough exercise by taking a short walk as you would a long walk (and both of you won’t get as cold). Don't bath him too much! Try to do it less than usual. It will help your dog avoid severe cold problems. However, if necessary short warm baths are okay as long as he is dried immediately! 

To learn more, you can visit this helpful article:

http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Dogs-Warm-in-the-Winter

Tubular Heaters

And if you are the owner of a kennel or cattery - a tubular heater is perfect for you. They are guaranteed to keep your canine or kitty lodgers warm when the weather outside isn't. You can easily fit one into the kennel yourself and the animals and their owners will most definitely love you for it. Tubular heaters have been very popular with our cattery / kennel owning customers for a while and we have had lots of positive feedback regarding them!

Prices start from £16.50 at HSD so you can’t go wrong! Find yours here.

P.S... If your family do happen to be laid in bed this winter, shivering their socks off, here's what they need. Our award-winning electric blanket makes the perfect Christmas gift and is exactly what is needed for a good night's sleep.

*excl. VAT + P&P