Pet owners across Ireland are being urged to take extra care of their animals as temperatures drop below freezing, with vets warning that the cold weather can pose real risks for pets.

On The Anton Savage Show, Sean Defoe was joined by vet Pete Wedderburn, better known as Pete the Vet, who said the key message for owners is awareness.

 “The first thing is simply to be aware of your pet situation and to be aware that they can’t necessarily look after their own surroundings because you’re in control,” he said.

While Ireland does not often see extreme cold, Mr Wedderburn warned it can still be dangerous.

“It’s rare for pets to die outside because of the cold, but it does happen sometimes,” he said, adding that “elderly animals and sick animals are very vulnerable."

He explained that smaller pets are at higher risk in freezing conditions.

“The smaller an animal is the greater their body surface area to body size, to body weight,” he said.

Image: Fran Veale/Dogs Trust Ireland

Pets with fine coats, such as “a chihuahua or a miniature dachshund”, are far more vulnerable than “a big shaggy collie”.

Owners were also advised to adjust feeding routines during winter.

“You should feed your pet a bit more in the winter because it takes energy to keep the body warm,” he said.

“Give them a bit of extra dinner this evening while they’re going to bed.”

Mr Wedderburn also warned about the dangers of cats sheltering under cars in cold weather.

“As a vet unfortunately I regularly see cases where somebody starts the car and then hears a commotion,” he said, explaining that cats often climb onto warm engines.

“It’s a terrible thing.”

“Don’t just start your car quickly and drive off. Have a quick look underneath it, let the car warm up and the cat will nearly always just move away.”

Addressing dogs becoming anxious after loud Christmas noises, he said pets remember fear rather than logic.

“Dogs operate on an emotional level, they don’t intellectualise like we humans do,” he explained.

“If they get a fright, they just remember the emotion of the fright.” While these reactions often ease with time, he said some owners seek calming medication during particularly stressful periods.

He also spoke about multi-cat households, warning that harmony is not guaranteed.

“There’s a bit of an illusion that you can gather cats and they’ll all be good friends. That’s not true,” he said, adding that creating space and separation in the home can help reduce conflict.