Keep animals all wrapped up during winter
According to research carried out by DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs), the bird population in the South East has declined by 10% in the last ten years whilst other parts of Britain have witnessed a 10% increase. The bird population is a good indicator of the overall state of local wildlife numbers and due to this, a local veterinary surgery is urging the public to consider wildlife as well as pets this winter as temperatures are predicted to plummet.
Julian Peters, owner of Arthur Lodge, commented: “It really is important to look after both pets and local wildlife in the winter months. This is a time when the majority of animals are at their most vulnerable so it is essential to keep up with any medications and give them regular exercise, even if they do seem to prefer staying inside. The smallest gesture can help local wildlife, merely just putting some water out can help them immensely as it can be a struggle to find water at this time of year.”
Below are a few tips for looking after both wildlife and pets during the winter months:
- Leave bird food out in the garden to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. Throughout the winter, small birds can lose up to 10% of their body weight during the night. It may be useful to invest in a bird table as this will keep birds away from cats and foxes etc.
- Fitting a bird house to provide shelter – different types will attract different birds.
- Leave water out as it can be difficult for wildlife to find water that is un-frozen.
- Keep dogs on the lead when taking them for walks. Frozen ponds or lakes can be dangerous for dogs.
- Coats can be a nice added extra to keep dogs warm, especially short-haired and elderly dogs.
- It is advisable to wipe snow and ice off dogs on the return from a walk as well as ensuring that their paws are kept clean so as to avoid them ingesting any harmful chemicals.
- Antifreeze is attractive to curious creatures but is actually very poisonous, especially in cats for whom it can cause kidney failure and, in some cases, death.
- Don’t leave an animal in the car for a long length of time as the temperature can drop very quickly.
- Break ice on water bowls for outside pets and keep checking any water bottles.
- Hedgehogs, contrary to common belief, should not be fed bread or milk as they are actually lactose intolerant and can’t digest bread. Instead, leave proprietary hedgehog food or even tinned dog meat, especially chicken flavours, out for them to enjoy.
- Hedgehogs can drown in garden ponds so ensure that there is an escape route for them, such as piece of wood, stones or chicken wire.
- Check your bonfires before setting light to them – hedgehogs like to nest in the piles.