Winter Pet Care in Pakistan: Keeping Pets Warm and Healthy

Winter in Pakistan is not one season, it is many. In Karachi it barely shows up. In Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan it arrives as damp, foggy cold from December through February. But in the north — Islamabad, Abbottabad, Murree, Swat, Quetta, Gilgit and Skardu — winter means frost, snow and nights that stay near or below freezing for weeks. If you live anywhere in that belt, your pet needs a proper seasonal routine, not just an old blanket thrown on the floor.

The good news is that most winter pet care is simple, cheap and repeatable. Here is what actually matters.

Cold Reaches Pets From the Floor Up

Most homes here have marble, tile or cement floors, and those surfaces stay cold long after the air has warmed up. A dog or cat lying directly on that floor loses body heat continuously, no matter how thick the coat looks. This is the single most common mistake owners make in winter.

The fix is to get your pet off the floor and give them something insulating to lie on.

• Layer it: a folded blanket or old quilt over a thin foam sheet or cardboard base works better than one thick blanket alone.
• Raise it: even a couple of inches off cold stone makes a noticeable difference.
• Enclose it: cats and small dogs settle faster in a semi-covered space, like a carton on its side or an open travel carrier lined with soft cloth. The enclosure traps their own body heat.
• Place it well: away from doors, window gaps and the path of cold draughts, ideally in the warmest room of the house.
• Keep it dry: damp bedding is worse than no bedding. Wash and sun-dry it regularly.

If your pet sleeps outdoors or on a terrace, reconsider for the winter months. Bring them into a verandah, storeroom or garage — anywhere with walls and a roof and no direct wind.

Indoor Comfort When the Power Goes

Load-shedding makes winter unpredictable, so build warmth that does not depend on electricity. Open curtains during the day and let your pet claim the sunny patch, then close them at sunset to hold heat in. Seal the worst door gaps with a rolled towel. Keep the sleeping area in an interior room rather than one with two outside walls.

Water matters more than people expect. Very cold water discourages drinking, and lower water intake is a real concern for cats in particular. Refresh the bowl with room-temperature water a few times a day, keep it away from the coldest corner, and consider offering some wet food alongside dry to add moisture to the diet.

Heating Your Home Safely Around Pets

Gas heaters are the default in most Pakistani homes, and they deserve respect.

• Never run a gas heater in a sealed room with a pet shut inside. Keep a window or ventilator slightly open. Poor ventilation is dangerous for animals and people alike.
• Create a barrier. Curious puppies, kittens and wagging tails get too close to open flames and hot rods. A chair, side table or pet gate placed in front of the heater prevents burns and singed fur.
• Manage cords. Blowers and heaters mean extra wires on the floor, and chewing on a live cord is a serious risk. Tape cords down or run them behind furniture.
• Hot water bottles work well as a low-tech option — fill with warm, not boiling, water and always wrap in a thick cloth before tucking it under bedding.
• Watch for over-warming. A pet lying pressed against a heat source for hours can develop skin irritation. Give them the choice to move away.

Coat, Skin and Paw Care

Do not shave a double-coated dog in winter; that coat is insulation. Instead, brush more often. Cold months plus indoor lounging mean loose hair mats quickly, especially in Persian cats and long-haired dogs, and a matted coat traps damp air against the skin instead of warm air. A few minutes of brushing every couple of days prevents painful knots and gives you a chance to spot ticks, scabs or lumps early. You will find brushes and grooming basics under dog grooming.

Bathe less often in winter, and when you do, bathe at midday with warm water, then dry the coat completely before evening. Sending a damp pet into a cold room is asking for trouble. Also remember that fleas and ticks do not vanish in winter — heated indoor homes keep them going — so stay on whatever prevention routine your vet has advised.

Paws take a beating too. Cold, dry air cracks pads, and mud or road grit sticks between toes. Wipe paws with a warm damp cloth after outdoor time and check between the toes for cuts.

Adjusting Food for Winter Energy Needs

Winter changes the energy equation in both directions, so watch the individual animal rather than following a rule.

• Dogs who stay outdoors or work burn extra calories simply keeping warm and may need slightly more food.
• Indoor pets often move less because walks get shorter, so the same portion can quietly turn into winter weight gain.

Judge by body condition, not by the scoop. You should be able to feel ribs under a light layer without seeing them, and see a visible waist from above. Adjust portions gradually, and if you change food entirely, mix the new food into the old over about a week to avoid stomach upset. Life-stage matters as much as season: puppies, kittens, adults and seniors all have different needs, and you can compare options by life stage on our cat food pages.

What drives the price of a good winter stock-up is pack size, life stage and whether the formula is imported or locally produced, so buying the larger bag of a food you already trust usually gives you a better cost-per-day. Check the product page for current pricing before you order.

Seniors, Small Breeds and Others Who Feel It First

Some pets simply cannot handle cold as well:

• Senior dogs and cats often have stiff, arthritic joints that hurt more in cold weather. They may struggle to get up, hesitate on stairs, or sleep more.
• Small and thin-coated breeds lose heat quickly relative to their size.
• Puppies and kittens regulate their body temperature poorly and chill fast.
• Underweight or recovering pets have less reserve to burn.

For these pets, a warm, draught-free sleeping spot is not a luxury. Watch for shivering, curling up unusually tightly, tucked-in posture, reluctance to move, or constantly seeking heat sources. Persistent shivering, unusual lethargy, cold ears and paws, laboured breathing, or a pet who stops eating needs professional attention — do not give human medicines or guess at doses. Your vet is the right person to diagnose the problem and advise treatment, and our vet clinic is here for check-ups, seasonal advice and vaccination schedules.

A Few Small Habits That Help

• Walk dogs during the warmest part of the day, and keep outings shorter but more frequent.
• Dry your dog fully after rain or snow before settling them indoors.
• Tap the car bonnet before starting the engine in winter — street cats climb into warm engine bays.
• Move bird cages away from windows and draughty corridors, and partially cover the cage at night to cut cold air while leaving ventilation.
• Keep a small emergency stock of food so a snowfall or a supply gap never leaves you short.

Winter care really comes down to three things: a warm dry bed, sensible heating, and food that matches how much energy your pet is actually burning. Get those right and the cold months become easy.

Ready to stock up before the cold sets in? Browse our dog food range, order on Cash on Delivery, and keep your pet well fed and warm all winter.