Brrrr…it’s cold outside!
The following guidelines will help you protect your companion
animals when the mercury dips.
1. Even if your dogs are indoor/outdoor critters, make
sure their outdoor areas are well-sheltered from the cold and wind. If possible,
keep them inside, especially during cold spells and inclement weather.
Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost
or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to
infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and
wildlife.
2. During the winter, 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.
3. 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.
4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach 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.
5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as 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. Own a short-haired
breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck
with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is
regulation winter wear.
6. 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.
7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and
may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be
sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is
sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only
to relieve himself.
8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor
activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and
his fur—in tip-top shape.
9. 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. If
your pet accidentally drinks antifreeze, call the ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep,
off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm
blanket or pillow is perfect.
11. Take care that your pet has plenty of water. Winter air can
be very drying, leaving pets dehydrated, just as they are during the hot summer
months.
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest
for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to
e-mail us.
Dr. David Hammett and Linda Hammett
All Creatures Mobile Veterinary Service