Winter Wellness for Pets – Immunity, Joints, and More

Just like us, cats, dogs, and other pets can struggle to maintain good health when the winter chill sets in, especially for pets getting on in years or those with an impaired immune system. Helping our pets stay warm and dry is important, but there are other simple ways to help pets maintain a healthy immune system and appetite, along with good mobility and mood.

In this blog, we explore common winter health challenges for pets and share natural remedies that may help support their wellbeing all season long.

Key Highlights

•           Cold, damp winter weather can impact your pet’s immune and joint health, appetite and mood, particularly those over 8 years of age.
•           Signs your pet needs support are lethargy, changes in appetite and condition, stiffness or a reluctance to take part in their usual activities.
•           Support your pet through winter by managing diet and hydration, their living environment, routines, and adding supplements.
•           Hippo Health offers a range of natural remedies that can support kidney & liver health, immune system health, stiff joints, appetite, condition, hyperthyroidism, and low mood.

Winter can take its toll on our cats and dogs, especially those who are older or more vulnerable. Knowing the early signs of common seasonal issues is key to being able to provide the support they need to get back to optimal health quickly.

Supporting Your Pet’s Immune System

Cold weather, stress, and ageing can all put extra strain on your pet’s immune defences, so a little proactive support can help your pet stay resilient and bounce back faster if they become unwell. For general immune support or for pets recovering from illness, try our Immune Plus – Pets remedy.

Kidney & Liver Health: The Inside-Out Immunity Boost

Your pet’s liver and kidneys work hard behind the scenes. The liver detoxifies the body, processes nutrients and produces bile to aid digestion, while the kidneys are vital for managing hydration, blood pressure and the balance of minerals. When these organs function well, your pet is better equipped to fight off illness and stay energetic.

Signs your pet needs support

• They are unusually sluggish or tire easily
• Their coat is looking dull or dishevelled
• You notice a change in their appetite
• They start needing to urinate more often
• They are over 8 years old, which for cats and dogs means they’re heading into their senior years

What helps

• A balanced diet with good-quality protein and nutrients, and try to avoid fatty or high calorie treats.
• Helping them stay hydrated is important, even in winter. Feeding wet food can help as it has a higher moisture content.
• Help them maintain a healthy weight, adjusting routines to ensure they still have plenty of outside time during colder weather and shorter days.
• If there is a change in appetite, schedule an appointment with your vet, including a check on their kidney and liver health.
• Try our Kidney & Liver Health – Pets remedy to support organ health. It’s safe for long-term use and can be used alongside vet treatments and medications.
• For senior pets, these drops help to support organ health, joint health and overall vitality. Read more about how to support your senior pet here.

Joint Stiffness and Mobility Issues

It’s common for dogs and cats, especially those over 8 years of age, to become noticeably stiffer and less mobile in the colder months. As always, we recommend talking to your vet if you feel your pet is in pain or showing symptoms that need further investigation.

Signs of joint discomfort in cats and dogs

• Difficulty going up and down stairs or getting in and out of the car.
• Hesitant to jump or climb and looking for easier ways to get up and down from their usual spots (especially cats)
• Circling more before lying down and avoiding getting up again.
• Paws that seem to slip while they are moving (especially dogs)
• Limping or stiffness after resting, especially in one limb
• Reluctance to be picked up or patted in certain places
• Licking, biting, or chewing in certain places, or finding it harder to groom themselves in those hard-to-reach places

Ways to help

• Add a wheat bag, hot water bottle or heating pad to their sleeping space during cold weather.
• Take your dog for shorter walks and look for lower-impact backyard games for easier ways to exercise.

• Raise food and water bowls off the ground to reduce the need to bend.

• Use or build ramps or stairs to make it easier for them to get in and out of the car, or access their favourite spots.
• Start them on BioPet Joints. This remedy is formulated to support pets experiencing minor arthritic inflammation by targeting the calcification within their joints. It’s 100% natural, so safe to use alongside anything prescribed by your vet.
• We also make a remedy specific for pets experiencing weakness in their hind legs.

Appetite and Condition

A change in appetite should always be investigated as it can often be a sign of a more serious issue. Older pets and those recovering from illness or injury often eat less, which means less nutrients to maintain a healthy immune system.

In cats, an increased appetite without any weight gain can signal a thyroid issue, particularly if they are starting to look a bit rough and dishevelled.

Look for

• Noticeable or prolonged reduction or increase in appetite
• Noticeable weight loss or visible ribs
• Dull, coarse coat

Try

• Serving their favourite meal and supplementing with treats to increase their food intake.
• Brushing and combing to help them stay groomed.
• Using our Appetite Plus remedy for pets to support healthy appetite and digestive function.
• Helping them absorb more nutrients from their normal diet by adding our Conditioning Tonic for Pets to their food or water bowl.
• For a cat with Hyperthyroidism, feed a diet low in iodine. You can also try using our Hyperthyroid remedy for cats to see if this helps while you work through treatment options with your vet.

Winter Blues and Low Mood

With shorter days and longer nights, some pets can seem a little more down in the dumps. While Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) isn’t officially recognised in animals, many pet owners report their furry friends acting a bit low during the colder months.

Signs might include

• Seeming withdrawn or lethargic and uninterested in their usual games or activities.
• Changes to their interest in food or eating patterns
• Irritability or restlessness, and changes in sleeping patterns

Try

• For dogs, try changing up the routine a little – walking at a different time of day, going to new places and giving them special treats so they associate their usual ‘normal’ behaviour with being rewarded.
• Spend extra time together, with more cuddles/pats.
• Provide or make new interactive toys and games.
• Start dosing with our BioPet Relax remedy. It’s an everyday calmative that supports mood and promotes calm without sedation.

Don’t Forget: Support for People Too!

As you care for your pet this winter, don’t forget to look after yourself. We also make a range of natural remedies for people to support immunity & winter ailments, joint health, fatigue and more! Take a look at our range of remedies, or read more about them here.

Final Thoughts

Winter can be tough on our pets, but with a bit of extra care and natural support, you can help your dog or cat stay comfortable, healthy, and happy. From immune support and organ health to joint care and appetite boosters, our pet remedies are here to make life a little easier (and cosier) for your four-legged family members.

General Disclaimer
Always follow dosing instructions. Our remedies are formulated to support the natural immune system of horses, pets, and livestock. We do not claim to treat, medicate, or cure any health conditions. If you are worried an animal may be in pain or suffering, please contact your veterinarian.