How to ensure your elderly dog lives a Good Life as we head into winter

As winter arrives on our doorstep, ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of our senior dogs becomes even more crucial. Here's how you can help your elderly dog live their best life during the colder months.  

As winter arrives on our doorstep, ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of our senior dogs becomes even more crucial. Here's how you can help your elderly dog live their best life during the colder months.  

When is a pet classified as being senior or mature? 

There’s no firm age when a dog goes from being a mature adult to becoming a senior, as the timing varies greatly depending on your dog’s breed and size.  

A small breed dog's lifespan is typically longer than a large breed and can be up to about 16 years. So, a small, healthy dog might not be considered a senior until they are 12 years old. Whereas larger dog breeds tend to have shorter lifespans, meaning they enter their golden years more quickly. A Labradors ’typical lifespan is about 12 years, so they are considered to be senior at around eight to nine years old. Gorgeous giant breeds, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, would be considered seniors around four to five years old. 

However, the aging process involves reliable signs across breeds.  As our pets age, they show changes in appearance, such as grey hairs, changes in the way they move, as well as reductions in their hearing and visual abilities.  Even if a senior pet does not outwardly appear old, changes will be happening internally, such as their immune and digestive systems. These changes in their physiology lead to behavioural changes which might include altered interactions with the family, confusion about familiar places, changes in sleeping patterns, and toileting accidents.  

Apart from the normal behavioural changes associated with slowing down due to the aging process, there are also age-related complications and disorders which become more likely. These include mobility issues such as stiffness in limbs which may be a sign of arthritis and should be addressed with your vet.  

How does the winter weather factor into this?  

• Temperature regulation: Older pets often struggle with temperature regulation – in the heat or the cold. In winter they have a harder time maintaining their body heat, making them more susceptible to the cold. Aging can lead to changes in the skin and coat, exacerbating the issue, as dry, brittle fur and skin can reduce the effectiveness of their natural insulation.  

• Reduced mobility and stiffness: Cold weather can also exacerbate arthritis and joint pain, making it harder for senior dogs to move around comfortably. Stiffness and discomfort are more pronounced in colder temperatures, leading to reduced mobility and increased pain. Poor circulation is common in elderly dogs, which can make it difficult for them to keep their extremities warm.  

• Weaker immune systems: Senior dogs typically have weaker immune systems, making them more vulnerable to illnesses and infections that are more common in the winter months. Cold weather can also put additional stress on their bodies, further compromising their immune response. 

• Reduced physical activity: Cold weather can discourage older dogs from being active, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle. This reduction in activity can contribute to weight gain and a decline in overall health and mobility. 

Essential winter care for aging canines 

So, what can you do to cater for your elderly companion? 

• Keep them warm: This is the first and most obvious action.  Ensure their living areas and warm and draft-free and provide warm bedding, that might also be orthopedic or memory foam beds to support their joints. Be sure that any heaters are safe and cords cannot be chewed or tripped over by your dog. It may also be appropriate to dress your dog in a warm sweater or coat when going outside, depending on if you dog is happy to wear these. You might protect their paws from cold and ice by using dog booties, which can also prevent slipping. 

• Home modifications: There may also be home modifications you can do to assist your elderly companion, such as using ramps for getting on furniture or in and out of the car, and toe grips to prevent slipping on hardwood floors.  

• Modify exercise: A shorter walk routine might also suit your animals, helping to avoid strenuous activity but also limiting prolonged exposure to the cold. Instead, you could look at increasing enrichment activities to compensate for less walks.  

• Address mobility issues and pain management: Helping senior dogs with mobility issues can improve their quality of life. Veterinarians can advise on the best approach to pain management, which may include pain medications, joint supplements, acupuncture and laser therapy, physical therapy or possibly surgical options. 

• Regular Health Monitoring: Senior dogs benefit from more frequent veterinary visits— ideally twice a year. Monitor their daily routine closely and consult your vet about any significant changes in behavior or health. Specialised diets and supplements may also help manage the effects of aging. 

• Adjust your expectations: Gradual loss of hearing and visual ability can often be confusing and somewhat distressing to your older dog.  Older animals generally gain much comfort and security from being with their owner. These changes in personality might include behaviours such as following the owner around the house, being distressed when left alone, being frightened of the unfamiliar and needing more reassurance.  

 A Good Life for an older animal requires that you cater for their changing needs. It is important to recognise and respond to cognitive decline in your elderly pet. Senior dogs can suffer from cognitive dysfunctions, similar to Alzheimer’s in humans, causing disorientation, house training regression, altered sleep and activity levels, and changes in social interactions. Address behavioral issues early and consult a veterinarian and/or a veterinary behaviorist if you are concerned about this being a problem. 

Finally - provided they receive the care they need as they move into their senior years, your older dog may stay spritely and active for some time to come. The most important elements to keep in mind are regular and timely veterinary care, appropriate nutrition and exercise to their age and health status, and of course mental stimulation.  

By addressing these needs and making necessary adjustments in relation to the weather, you can help your senior dog enjoy their golden years comfortably and healthily, ensuring the best possible quality of life.

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Are we over-rugging our horses?

As the weather cools at this time of year and we start to feel the cold, there is an often misplaced perception among many horse owners that their animal must also be getting cold and will need to be rugged. But before dashing out to cover our horses up, it's worth considering if this is actually the case? Or are we making them “too hot to trot”? 

Over-rugging can be problematic for horse comfort and wellbeing. It is important to know how to strike the right balance for our climate and the needs of your individual horse.

Our New Zealand climate  

New Zealand has a diverse climate. While it ranges from subtropical in the far north to temperate in the south, it also includes extremes and microclimates in the coastal and mountainous regions. Our country’s weather patterns are heavily influenced by our maritime location and mountainous terrain, resulting in variable conditions throughout the year. Winters can be chilly – especially in the southern regions – but much of the country enjoys mild temperatures for a significant portion of the year.

We are great at planning our own outfits for NZ’s variable weather, but it can be tricky to interpret how our horses experience the same conditions. It is important to remember, horses don’t feel the cold in the same way that we do. The temperature range that a healthy adult horse will feel comfortable in, where they can regulate their own body temperature is between 5°C and 25°C.   

Research suggests that horses only begin feeling the cold below 5°C . That’s well below when we throw on a jacket. Horses are extremely efficient at regulating their body temperature, which they do by eating more forage, seeking shelter, reducing the blood flow to the limbs (to reduce heat loss), increased movement and shivering. As winter approaches, a horse will naturally grow their coat in response to the shortening day length. Therefore, although well intentioned, putting a rug on when the horse’s body has already started prepping for winter, may be negative for their health and wellbeing. 

The risks associated with over-rugging:  

• One of the primary concerns with rugging is overheating, particularly during periods of mild or fluctuating weather or when horses are highly active. Under normal conditions, horses will actively respond to cold or hot temperatures by seeking shelter or shade. Unfortunately, the horse cannot escape from a rug (easily) and so cannot regulate their own temperature.  

• Sadly, there are some horse owners who choose to keep a rug on their horse 24/7. When horses are constantly covered, their skin may become sweaty and damp, creating an ideal environment for skin issues such as dermatitis and fungal infections. In addition, they will miss out on the benefits of sunlight on a large part of their body and research shows that this can affect the level of the Vitamin D the horse needs for remaining healthy.  

• Rugs aren’t a natural attire for a horse. They don’t always fit well and can be too tight or too loose. They can also impede the horse’s free movement and reduce some of the benefits horses get from natural behaviours such as rolling and grooming each other. In addition, when the weather is nasty, rugs sometimes leak and can become heavy when wet and muddy. They need to be regularly checked for comfort and dryness, and a spare rug should be available for these circumstances.  

So - when is a rug needed? 

First and foremost, not all horses require the same level of protection. Factors such as age, breed, body condition, and health status, coupled with the environmental conditions, and access to feed and shelter, all influence a horse’s tolerance to cold temperatures. Older horses or those with underlying health issues may benefit from additional insulation, whereas younger, healthier horses may do well with little to no coverage. If a horse has little body fat (a fat score of less than two on a scale of 0 to 5), a rug will be needed if temperatures drop. The horse’s legs, ears or face are not the best areas to indicate how cold they are, instead their neck, withers and body temperature should be assessed. 

There is no strict rule for NZ’s conditions. 10°C is a good benchmark for when rugging could be considered (but not necessarily implemented for the reasons given earlier). For instance, research shows that horses with a thick winter coat, can comfortably tolerate temperatures well below freezing (0°C) without the need for rugs, especially if they have access to shelter from the elements and good quality feed. The latter supports the horse by providing them with adequate energy to stay warm. Conversely, horses that have been clipped, or those moving from warmer too cooler climates and therefore not acclimated nor equipped with a thick coat, may benefit from rugging to maintain comfort and prevent chilling. 

After taking into account your horse’s individual needs, the next step is to consider the weather conditions they will encounter. Autumn brings cooler nights followed by warm days. Therefore, a rug might be appropriate at night, but should be removed during the day. Autumn daytime temperatures can soar to nearly 20°C in some areas and if it's not possible to remove the night rug, the horse will be too hot. Even a light cotton rug challenges a horse’s ability to thermoregulate as temperatures rise; one Australian study showed that whilst the cotton rugs intended to reduce fly irritation might serve that purpose, they also resulted in heat stress in horses when the temperatures were above 25°C.  

Letting horses decide 

Researchers in one creative study taught horses to ‘vote with their muzzles’; the horses learned to touch symbols which represented whether they wanted their rug on or off. ¹ Interestingly, no horse preferred a rug on when experiencing temperatures above 20°C. Even at 10°C the horses showed a preference for ‘no rug’, however this was dependent on other weather conditions, such as wind and rain together (opted for the rug) or more sun (opted against the rug). In addition, older horses were more likely to choose a rug on when temperatures reduced. While we can’t all enrol our horse in a preference study, we can take note of the research related to horse preferences and observe what our horses are doing. Are they seeking shade, even when we feel comfortable? Is their coat hot or damp under their rug? Are they breathing more than they would on a cool day? (An adult horse’s normal resting respiratory rate is around 8 – 16 breaths a minute). If you notice any of these signs, take note of the weather, and try removing the rug when conditions are similar.  

Concluding thoughts 

Reevaluating our approach to horse rugging in New Zealand demands a nuanced understanding of our diverse climate and the individual needs of our equine companions. The risks associated with over-rugging emphasise the importance of striking the right balance between protection and allowing horses to regulate their body temperature naturally.  

With temperatures varying across the islands and seasons, there's no one-size-fits-all rule for rugging horses. Instead, horse owners must consider factors such as coat thickness, health status, age of horse and prevailing weather conditions to make informed decisions. By staying attentive to their horses' cues and consulting with equine professionals, we can ensure the well-being and comfort of our equine partners while navigating the complexities of New Zealand's climate. 

If you have specific questions about your horse’s health, speak to your vet.

1 - Study: Horses can Communicate Blanketing Preferences – The Horse 

Cats and calories – how cooler months ahead means watching their waistlines

Pet ownership comes with a myriad of responsibilities, from ensuring their well-being to providing them with a loving home. In New Zealand, we love our cat companions – with 41% of the population owning at least one feline pet. But are we keeping a close enough eye on their weight?  

When the cooler months hit, our cats can sometimes prefer to keep closer to home and stay warm, just like us. This means we are moving less and need to watch what we eat – only our cats rely on us to do that for them.  

With one in four New Zealand cats classified as overweight or obese, there is a need to better understand the factors influencing these trends.  

Nutrition plays a crucial role in cat welfare, influencing their overall health, disease susceptibility, and longevity. Obesity is linked to various feline health issues like osteoarthritis and diabetes. Global trends show a concerning rise in cat obesity, mirrored in NZ. In 1993, 26% of NZ cats were overweight or obese, rising to 63% in 2007. 

A 2019 study identified two key factors contributing to obesity in companion cats in NZ – firstly owner misperception of their cats' body condition, and secondly, feeding them a varied diet, complicating calorie control.  A healthy weight for your animal is key to them having a Good Life, so it’s critical you keep an eye on their dietary habits. 

What cat owners can do  

Understanding cat obesity requires recognising the signs and taking appropriate action. But this is sometimes easier said than done. Many cat owners struggle to accurately assess their pets' body condition, often underestimating their weight.  

What you can do: 

• Talk to your veterinary professional about your animal’s weight and get advice on their diet – firstly understanding where their body condition is 

• Ensure there is consistency in their diet so calorie control is easier to manage 

• Be careful of treats – and in particular, educate any children interacting with them on how important it is not to overfeed cats 

• Get creative with ways to play with your cat and get them moving! Stimulating their body and mind is a great way to burn up excess energy. 

Need visuals on what is an ideal weight? The WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee have a great Body Condition Score sheet with visuals to assess the ideal weight for a feline companion. 

Click the link above to see this PDF online

What lies ahead? 

Moving forward, we are prioritising future research initiatives and educational activities. One big thing to tackle is the gap between owners’ and vets’ perception of cats’ body condition scoring (BCS). Plus, there is a need to understand the correlations between activity levels, dietary patterns, and BCS perception. 

Finally, further investigation into guidelines for maintaining a balanced diet in cats is essential, given the prevalent practice of offering cats a variety of foods and treats. Veterinary professionals and pet store personnel hold significant potential in disseminating this information, as well as signage in the supermarket aisles, particularly to households with children who may be unknowingly feeding more food and treats to their animal via the children.  

As we creep closer to winter, it's the perfect time to prioritise your cat’s weight management to ensure they lead a Good Life. Take action now to monitor their diet and activity levels, setting the stage for a happier and healthier winter season for your beloved feline companions. 

More on the 2019 Study 

The 2019 study, conducted from January 2019 to March 2019, surveyed residents aged 18 years and above to gather insights into the feeding habits and owner-related risk factors contributing to feline obesity. Among the key findings, it was revealed that 65.5% of respondents owned cats, with female, rural, or households with children being more likely to have feline companions. 

Diving deeper into feeding practices, the survey uncovered that a significant portion of cat owners relied on biscuits from supermarkets (63%) and wet food (57%) as primary dietary sources. Additionally, approximately 45% opted for specialized pet shop or veterinary clinic foods, while 31% incorporated raw meat into their cat's diet. This variety in feeding habits poses challenges in estimating appropriate caloric intake, potentially leading to excess weight gain in feline companions. 

Furthermore, the study highlighted discrepancies in owners' perceptions of their cat's body condition, with nearly 30% disagreeing with the correct body condition statement. This underscores the importance of education and awareness campaigns to empower  

These findings underscore the critical need for further research and interventions to address feline obesity in New Zealand. By understanding the behavioural patterns of pet owners and identifying key risk factors, we can pave the way for innovative approaches to promote healthy weight management and enhance the overall well-being of our feline companions.  

 *The Diets of Companion Cats in Aotearoa New Zealand: Identification of Obesity Risk Factors (squarespace.com)  

A Christmas message from the teams at Companion Animals NZ

The Companion Animals New Zealand and the NZ Companion Animals Register Team wish you and your companion animal(s) a wonderful, safe and fun festive season

We are almost at the end of 2023 - a year of significant challenge and change for animal guardians and their animals in New Zealand.

The impact of both La Niña and climate change, resulted in the extreme and devastating weather events experienced by so many in New Zealand which demonstrated for all of us, the importance of emergency planning and for these to include how we safeguard our animals. Companion Animals New Zealand and the NZ Companion Animal Register Team mobilised quickly to provide information from our microchip database that was needed by the coordinated emergency rescue services to help identify animals and try to reunite them with their worried owners as soon as was possible. Following the immediate national emergency, we mounted a campaign to support the permanent identification and registration of horses and ponies in New Zealand, to improve the chances of them being quickly and easily identified and traced to their owners. In 2024, we plan to extend the EQuiChip™ Community Events run successfully in Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa to other equestrian communities across the country. If you want to learn more about how to run an event, please get in touch with us, and we will provide a Campaign Guide and our support.

Making it easier for owners to find their lost pets is also why we actively promote the need for all companion species to be microchipped and registered and why we have recently completed the work to merge our LostPet Service with the NZCAR microchip database to create a “super-site” for lost and found animals. This means that if sadly you do lose your pet, you can mark your animal as lost on the NZCAR, then you will also create a free and immediate LostPet listing, that you can share across social media. Guardians who lose a pet that is not yet microchipped or registered, can still create free LostPet listings for their animals. We are proud that as a well-respected animal charity we offer incredible value. The $15 registration fee is a ‘one-off‘ charge covering the lifetime registration of an animal, with the funds used to support animal welfare causes, as well as the development of research and education programmes to improve animal lives in New Zealand.

Apart from managing the NZCAR, Companion Animals New Zealand is actively involved with improving standards of care and training of dogs, cats, horses and other pets through our NZ Accreditation Scheme for Animal trainers and behaviour counsellors. The scheme allows animal owners to select an animal behaviorist or trainer that uses only ethical, humane, positive training and behaviour modification methods, ensuring high standards of welfare. This year we welcomed a good number of new animal behaviourists and trainers to become members of our accreditation scheme. You can find the current list here: See https://www.companionanimals.nz/canz-accredited-ats-atis

Despite all of the challenges of 2023, we are also extremely pleased to have been able to continue with our plans to bring our vision of a Good Life for Animals to life through the creation of a new virtual collaborative Research and Education Centre. The Centre aims to help ‘raise the bar’ for companion animals by proactively promoting the importance of higher standards of welfare, animals experiencing mainly positive emotional states and ensuring that animal guardians have the most up to date sicnece based information about how to provide ‘A Good Life’ for the many different species of pets we enjoy. The ‘A Good Life for Animals Centre’ under the direction of former CANZ Board Chair, Professor Nat Waran, will be formally launched at the Companion Animal Conference in Hamilton in March 2024.

In addition to promoting positive welfare, we also gather information to help inform ourselves and other animal industries about the changing nature of pet ownership. These regular surveys tell us about attitudes towards desexing, microchipping and reasons for acquiring an animal. This year, we have noticed a slowdown in the number of animals being adopted from centres (especially dogs) which appears similar to what is happening internationally. Prior to and during lockdown the numbers of pets being adopted from shelters or purchased through breeders/websites seemed to increase – but we are now seeing a downturn that may be a rebound but is also likely linked with changing socio-economic factors.

So, when you are thinking about your New Year resolutions – we encourage you to think of your pets and their wellbeing.

1. Consider the best way to adopt an animal and try to support animal shelters or ethical breeders.

2. Make sure your companion has permanent, registered identification and that your contact details are always kept up to date. Obviously as the country’s largest pet Database – we recommend that you have all of the microchips of you pets – dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, donkeys in one place, on your NZCAR account. We have learned from the events of 2023 that we can’t afford not to have our animals permanently identifiable and traceable back to us.

3. And finally – Your life is better for the animals you have in it – so it’s worth considering what you can do to make their lives rewarding and happy. Often in our busy lives, we forget that the quality of their life experience is completely dependent upon us being well informed about their species specific behavioural, social, mental and physical needs. Companion Animals New Zealand’s Facebook site aims to provide quality information and you can of course learn more by attending the CANZ ‘Changing Lives for Companion Animals’ Conference on March 12th 2024 in Hamilton – See https://www.companionanimals.nz/conference

Have a great festive break and we look forward to working with you all in an exciting 2024.

Warmest wishes

Nat, David and Sarah

And the rest of the CANZ Board Members, CANZ Staff and of course the CANZ Animal Team!

See our Christmas message video on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1442476359955560