The cold weather is on its way! Here are
some tips to help get your pet through the coldest months of the year.
· Keeping long haired dogs trimmed can help to reduce
the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on
the skin. Don’t forget to trim the hair between the toes! This can be a common
place for ice balls to collect.
· Bring a towel on long walks to clean off irritated
paws. After each outing, wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove ice, salt and
chemicals. This is especially important for the pets who like to lick their
feet – they can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous
chemicals. Check for irritation on the pads and between the toes. If you notice that they are chapped, you can
use some unscented moisturizer to help restore them.
· Dressing your pet in a sweater or coat is also a
good way to retain body heat for short hair breeds.
· If your dog will tolerate them, booties help minimize
contact with salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and ice-melting agents. They
can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes.
· An alternative for dogs who will not tolerate
booties is a product called The Invisible Boot.
It was recommended by a client and is a great alternative for dogs that are
sensitive about their feet being touched. You can also try massaging Vaseline into
paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and ice-melting
products.
· Remember, if the weather’s too cold for you,
it’s probably too cold for your pet. Please keep that in mind when you are
ready to take them out for their walk or letting them out in the backyard.
· Keep your cat inside! Despite a fur coat, it is far
too cold for them to spend time outside in the winter months.
· During the winter, if there are cats in the
area, they sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. Fan belts can cause a lot
of damage or death to a sleeping cat if the engine is started. Bang loudly on
the hood of your car before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
· Do not hesitate to bathe your dog in the winter
when they need one, but be sure to dry them thoroughly before taking them
outside.
· Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car
during very cold weather.
· Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult
dogs so be cautious when housetraining in the winter. If your dog is sensitive
to the cold take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
· Make sure your companion animal has a warm place
to sleep, away from any potential winter drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm
blanket or pillow is a perfect place for a warm winter nap.
Winter
also brings about some potential household hazards specific to cold weather. They
include:Antifreeze has a pleasant taste to our pets but unfortunately a very small amount can be lethal to both cats and dogs. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills and store the bottles in tight containers where your pets are unable to access them.
Ice melting products can be irritating to skin and mouth. Depending on the ingredient and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression, vomiting or even electrolyte imbalances.
Rat
and mouse killers are used
more commonly during colder weather when rodents are looking for warm shelter. Place
the bait in areas that are inaccessible to companion animals.
Please let us know if you have any
questions about this information, we would be more than happy to answer them!-Jennifer
