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 Winter
Tips for Dogs & Cats
The arrival of winter weather brings
with it a number of pet care concerns, which can prove
uncomfortable, dangerous, or even deadly to unprotected dogs and
cats.
First, dry, flaky sin problems can occur
when your pet is confined to the indoors and a heating system.
Regular grooming can benefit animals' hair and skin as well by
stimulating circulation and removing dead cells. If your pet grows a
thick coat of hair for the winter, make sure it doesn't get matted.
Wet, matted hair can lead to diseases of the skin because the dead
hair traps dirt and debris. A conditioner for the coat after
shampooing a pet will help both coat and skin. Check with your
veterinarian to see if adding supplements to your pets' diet during
the winter would be beneficial.
Salt used to de-ice roads and driveways
can sting and irritate dry, cracked paw pads and can be toxic if
ingested. After a walk on salted streets, wipe off your dog's coat
and paws before you go inside to eliminate potential problems. Sand
is better than salt to prevent slips in your own yard. Though it
doesn't melt ice, it helps make surfaces less slippery.
Antifreeze, even in small amounts, is
poison to pets. Most commercial brands contain the toxic chemical
ethylene-glycol, which has a sweet taste few animals can resist.
Consider switching to the more expensive, but considerably less
toxic, propylene-glycol antifreeze.
How long should a dog roam outdoors in
cold weather depends on the breed. For example, Huskies are better
adapted for the cold than poodles. Some veterinarians say 15 degrees
Fahrenheit is the cutoff point for even the hardiest of pets. Cats
who wander outside in the winter face their own set of dangers:
While seeking warmth, many felines crawl inside trash bins or onto
warm car engines--sometimes with fatal results.
All cats and dogs allowed outside in
winter, even for a limited time, should have access to shelter and a
blanket or bed for warmth. Sweaters and booties are helpful for
short-haired breeds; frostbite most commonly strikes the tips of the
ears and tail.
Animals require access to fresh water at
all times. Water served outdoors in a large, deep bowl will freeze
more slowly than that served in a smaller, shallower bowl.
COLD WEATHER TIPS
Keep your cat inside. They can freeze,
become lost, or be stolen, injured or killed if left outdoors. Cats
who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases,
including rabies, from other cats, dogs, and wildlife.
Outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the
hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or
killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang
loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a
chance to escape.
Never let your dog off the leash on snow
or ice, especially during a snowstorm--dogs can lose their scent and
easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during
any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
Wipe off your dog's legs and stomach
thoroughly when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can
ingest salt, antifreeze, or other potentially dangerous chemicals
while licking his paws and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or
encrusted ice.
Never shave your dog down to the skin in
winter. A longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your
dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before
taking him out for a walk. A coat or sweaters with a high collar or
turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly are
good for shorthaired breeds.
Never leave your dog or cat alone in a
car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the
winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to
death.
Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well
as adult dogs. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age,
illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
If your dog spends a lot of time engaged
in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food, particularly
protein.
Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal
poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any
spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain
propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
Provide a warm place to sleep, off the
floor and away from all drafts. A dog or cat bed with a warm blanket
or pillow is perfect. Size makes a difference. If your doghouse is
too big, the dog's body temperature isn't going to keep him warmed
up when weather turns cold. It should be big enough for the dog to
get in, turn around, and lie down. The house should be well-built
and waterproof. Line it with some kind of easily cleaned, warmth
retaining lining like straw or wood shavings to keep down the heat
loss through the floor and also give him something he can burrow
down into to build up warmth. Raise it high! The doorway should be
high enough off the ground to prevent water from flowing in. Hanging
a plastic flap or doggie door will help keep the wind from whipping
through. In addition, it should have a roof over the porch to
provide protection from the direct sunlight, snow, rain, and other
elements.
Check the water bowls. Water freezes in
the winter no matter how big the water bowl is.
Without protection from the elements,
dogs and cats can develop frostbite or hypothermia. At the very
least, they can be cold and miserable. Animal Services Division
urges you to take these simple precautions so that you can keep your
pets cozy no matter what the winter throws our way.
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