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| Winter Pet Tips |
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| Seasonal Pet Tips |
Click to go: Articles > Seasonal Pet Tips > Winter Pet Tips
Winter and the holiday
seasons all can pose special
risks to your pets. There will be
cooler nights, holiday foods,
and plenty of family
celebrations! Here are some
tips for keeping everyone safe
and healthy. - Archie
seasons all can pose special
risks to your pets. There will be
cooler nights, holiday foods,
and plenty of family
celebrations! Here are some
tips for keeping everyone safe
and healthy. - Archie
#1 COLD KILLS
A dog or cat left outside in severe cold weather can die quickly from exposure. Except
for exercise and walks, all dogs and cats are safer indoors during the winter. Bring
your pets inside when temperatures start to dip near freezing. Make sure they have a
warm draft free place indoors with a dry mat or blanket that they can lie on. Give them
plenty of fresh water and appropriate amounts of food.
#2 OUTDOOR DOGS NEED SPECIAL PROTECTION
Large breed dogs that live outdoors need the protection of a dry, draft-free doghouse.
It should be large enough for the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but cozy enough
to help him retain body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground
and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turn away from the
winds and the opening covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic. Even outdoors
must be brought inside in severe temperatures.
#3 COLD CARS ARE DANGEROUS
Leave your dog or cat in an unattended car out in the winter cold and be prepared to
treat them for hypothermia. Small short coated breeds can particularly susceptible. If
you have to leave a pet alone in a car, then you’re better off leaving them back at
home. Pets in unattended cars can also be lost or stolen.
#4 AVOID ANTIFREEZE POISONING
Antifreeze tastes sweet to unsuspecting pets but it’s a deadly poison. This is an
especially insidious danger because once swallowed antifreeze poisoning is difficult to
diagnose and treat. Don’t let your pet drink from puddles in the street.
#5 DOES FIDO NEED A SWEATER?
If your dog shakes and shivers during walks on a cold day, he may need a sweater.
Regardless of size, many short coated dogs are very sensitive to cold. This is
especially true in older dogs. A properly fitted canine sweater can help your dog retain
precious body warmth and enjoy their time outdoors.
#6 ROCK SALT/DE-ICERS CAN BURN
A thick layer of petroleum jelly on your dog’s foot pads can prevent the burning and
irritation your dog or cat can experience when they walk outside on sidewalks that have
been treated with salt or chemical deicers. Whenever your pet gets back from a long
walk, make sure you wipe its paws clean of any residue before it licks them and irritates
its mouth. Keep your pets’ nails trimmed and shave the hair between the toes. It’s a
good way to prevent foot problems and make treatment easier if they do occur.
#7 AVOID ICY DANGERS
A good grooming is essential if you plan to let your pet frolic in the snow and ice. Long
haired breeds that roll in the snow can get ice stuck to their fur. The ice and snow pack
in the fur can cause severe chills and lead to dangerous respiratory infections. When
you get back home, the ice and snow will melt all over your rugs and furniture creating
a damp and unhealthy home atmosphere. The long hair between their toes can cause
snow to get impacted painfully in pets’ paws.
8 DON’T EAT SNOW
Outdoor exercise and play can make any pet thirsty, but don’t let them lick or eat snow
or ice. Ingesting snow can cause a terrible stomachache. And the salt, deicers and
other contaminants can cause diarrhea and other more serious ailments. When out in
the snow, keep your dog on a leash. Bring along a ball or other toy that you can use to
distract your pet.
#9 CHECK UNDER THE HOOD
Before you start the engine on your car or truck on that frigid winter morning, bang on
the hood or blow the horn. Cats and other small animals including birds often seek the
warmth of car and truck engines overnight. They will crawl under the hood for
protection from the winds and cold. Many are maimed or killed each winter when they
get caught up in the fan and fan belts.
#10 WATCH THAT DIET
Outdoor dogs and those dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors need more food during
the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. However, if your dog is a home
body and doesn’t spend much time exercising during the cold weather months it might
start to gain unneeded weight. Be careful not to overfeed your pet. Quick weight gain
is unhealthy. Obesity in pets leads to serious medical problems and a shortened life
span.
#11 PREVENT CABIN FEVER
Now that the summer and vacations are over, your pets will be spending more time
home alone. Bored, un-stimulated dogs are most likely to cause problems and develop
separation anxiety while you're away at school or work. Prevent problems by putting
out your pet's favorite toys when you leave for the day and put them away when you
get home. Leave a radio on to a talk or news station while you're out. And most of all,
spend some quality time with your pet when you do get home.
#12 DON’T SWALLOW INDOOR POISONS
Don’t let your pet become a tragic statistic. Cleaning fluids, detergents, household
solvents, even nail polish can smell and taste sweet to your pet. Once swallowed they
can be deadly. Secure all of these products in a place your pets can’t get at. If you
suspect your pet may have ingested a toxic product contact your vet immediately. Have
his day time and after hours phone readily available.
#13 VISIT THE VET
With the warm weather approaching, this is a good time to schedule your pets annual
visit to the veterinarian. By taking some simple preventive steps now, you can avoid
dangerous situations and help protect your pet from falling victim to them.
A dog or cat left outside in severe cold weather can die quickly from exposure. Except
for exercise and walks, all dogs and cats are safer indoors during the winter. Bring
your pets inside when temperatures start to dip near freezing. Make sure they have a
warm draft free place indoors with a dry mat or blanket that they can lie on. Give them
plenty of fresh water and appropriate amounts of food.
#2 OUTDOOR DOGS NEED SPECIAL PROTECTION
Large breed dogs that live outdoors need the protection of a dry, draft-free doghouse.
It should be large enough for the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but cozy enough
to help him retain body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground
and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turn away from the
winds and the opening covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic. Even outdoors
must be brought inside in severe temperatures.
#3 COLD CARS ARE DANGEROUS
Leave your dog or cat in an unattended car out in the winter cold and be prepared to
treat them for hypothermia. Small short coated breeds can particularly susceptible. If
you have to leave a pet alone in a car, then you’re better off leaving them back at
home. Pets in unattended cars can also be lost or stolen.
#4 AVOID ANTIFREEZE POISONING
Antifreeze tastes sweet to unsuspecting pets but it’s a deadly poison. This is an
especially insidious danger because once swallowed antifreeze poisoning is difficult to
diagnose and treat. Don’t let your pet drink from puddles in the street.
#5 DOES FIDO NEED A SWEATER?
If your dog shakes and shivers during walks on a cold day, he may need a sweater.
Regardless of size, many short coated dogs are very sensitive to cold. This is
especially true in older dogs. A properly fitted canine sweater can help your dog retain
precious body warmth and enjoy their time outdoors.
#6 ROCK SALT/DE-ICERS CAN BURN
A thick layer of petroleum jelly on your dog’s foot pads can prevent the burning and
irritation your dog or cat can experience when they walk outside on sidewalks that have
been treated with salt or chemical deicers. Whenever your pet gets back from a long
walk, make sure you wipe its paws clean of any residue before it licks them and irritates
its mouth. Keep your pets’ nails trimmed and shave the hair between the toes. It’s a
good way to prevent foot problems and make treatment easier if they do occur.
#7 AVOID ICY DANGERS
A good grooming is essential if you plan to let your pet frolic in the snow and ice. Long
haired breeds that roll in the snow can get ice stuck to their fur. The ice and snow pack
in the fur can cause severe chills and lead to dangerous respiratory infections. When
you get back home, the ice and snow will melt all over your rugs and furniture creating
a damp and unhealthy home atmosphere. The long hair between their toes can cause
snow to get impacted painfully in pets’ paws.
8 DON’T EAT SNOW
Outdoor exercise and play can make any pet thirsty, but don’t let them lick or eat snow
or ice. Ingesting snow can cause a terrible stomachache. And the salt, deicers and
other contaminants can cause diarrhea and other more serious ailments. When out in
the snow, keep your dog on a leash. Bring along a ball or other toy that you can use to
distract your pet.
#9 CHECK UNDER THE HOOD
Before you start the engine on your car or truck on that frigid winter morning, bang on
the hood or blow the horn. Cats and other small animals including birds often seek the
warmth of car and truck engines overnight. They will crawl under the hood for
protection from the winds and cold. Many are maimed or killed each winter when they
get caught up in the fan and fan belts.
#10 WATCH THAT DIET
Outdoor dogs and those dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors need more food during
the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. However, if your dog is a home
body and doesn’t spend much time exercising during the cold weather months it might
start to gain unneeded weight. Be careful not to overfeed your pet. Quick weight gain
is unhealthy. Obesity in pets leads to serious medical problems and a shortened life
span.
#11 PREVENT CABIN FEVER
Now that the summer and vacations are over, your pets will be spending more time
home alone. Bored, un-stimulated dogs are most likely to cause problems and develop
separation anxiety while you're away at school or work. Prevent problems by putting
out your pet's favorite toys when you leave for the day and put them away when you
get home. Leave a radio on to a talk or news station while you're out. And most of all,
spend some quality time with your pet when you do get home.
#12 DON’T SWALLOW INDOOR POISONS
Don’t let your pet become a tragic statistic. Cleaning fluids, detergents, household
solvents, even nail polish can smell and taste sweet to your pet. Once swallowed they
can be deadly. Secure all of these products in a place your pets can’t get at. If you
suspect your pet may have ingested a toxic product contact your vet immediately. Have
his day time and after hours phone readily available.
#13 VISIT THE VET
With the warm weather approaching, this is a good time to schedule your pets annual
visit to the veterinarian. By taking some simple preventive steps now, you can avoid
dangerous situations and help protect your pet from falling victim to them.