Fall and Winter Tips for your Disabled Pet

How to Keep Your Special Pet Warm and Safe This Fall and Winter

As the weather cools down, we naturally shift our focus to indoor living and cozy routines. Your pets—especially those with special needs—need help making that transition too. Here are our top tips to keep them warm, safe, and comfortable during the colder months.

1. Keep Them Warm

Warmth is essential. Add extra blankets to stalls, dog houses, and pet beds. If your pet lives outdoors, make sure they have access to shelter. Barns, coops, and dog houses help retain body heat and block cold winds. Even a simple lean-to with one wall can make a big difference.

If possible, bring your pets indoors and limit their time outside. Just like us, animals feel cold, pain, and discomfort. If you’re cold, they are too.

2. Keep Them Dry

Staying dry is just as important as staying warm. Provide dry bedding and shelter from rain and snow. For pets using orthotics or prosthetics, keeping devices clean and dry is critical. Moisture and dirt can lead to skin breakdown and painful wounds.

Remove the device each night and allow it to dry completely. If it gets dirty, clean it with warm, soapy water and let it air dry indoors. This ensures your pet starts each day with a clean, dry, and safe device.

3. Feed for Warmth

Proper nutrition helps pets stay warm. Metabolizing food generates body heat, so feeding your pet throughout the day can help maintain their internal temperature—especially if they spend time outdoors.

4. Support Their Joints

Cold weather can worsen joint pain. Consider adding a joint supplement to your pet’s routine to support mobility and reduce discomfort. For pets with arthritis or joint issues, a dog knee brace (also known as a stifle brace) can provide extra support and relief. Just remember to keep the brace clean and dry.

Need a Custom Device? We Can Help

If your pet needs a specialty device like an orthotic or prosthetic, we’re here for you. At Specialized Pet Solutions, we build the highest-quality custom devices on the market—designed for comfort, durability, and healing.

👉 Explore our custom dog knee braces