How To Keep Your Pet Safe And Warm In Winter
The barometer read 14 degrees fahrenheit when I let the dogs out first thing this morning. By the time we set off for our morning constitutional it was just creeping past 20F. So it struck me that it might be a good time to suggest things we can do to care for our pets when the weather outside is so frightful.
1. Don’t leave pets outside when the temperature plummets.
Just because your pet wears a fur coat, doesn’t mean he’s impervious to the cold!
It’s pretty obvious that a husky will fare better in the cold than a chihuahua, but bear in mind that animals need time to adapt to temperature changes, just as people do. A husky coming from the tropical climes of south Florida isn’t going to be as resilient to frigid cold in Alaska as a native hound will be.
And I’m not just talking about house pets. You may have a goat, a pig, a horse or a bunny that generally lives outdoors, so make sure there’s adequate shelter. It should be dry and draft-free with plenty of clean bedding* and preferably with the ability to safely heat it.
*Be wary of using blankets for bedding. Fido might play in the snow then lay on his blanket and a wet blanket can freeze, leaving Fido with no warmth. Better to use straw or hay as it allows moisture to evaporate, retains heat and is biodegradable. You can buy it from farm stores; just make sure it smells fresh and sweet, like new-mown grass.
2. Get the right pet for the climate.
Of course, this isn’t always an option but if you’re now in the process of choosing a pet then it’s something to bear in mind. Most snakes, for instance, are tropical or sub-tropical in nature. So if you live in the far north where sub-zero temperatures are not unknown and winter freezes cause electrical failures…..think ahead! You can’t just grab a parka from the closet and wrap your reptile in it. You’ll need to be prepared with an alternative heating source.
Vinny
3. Consider couture.
Normally I don’t encourage dressing-up of pets; I’m more of the “au naturel” way of thinking. However, extreme weather calls for appropriate measures and, as you can see from the picture of my pup, Vinny, I am not averse to a cozy jacket when called for.
4. Don’t forget paws.
Salt and other chemicals used to thaw roads and walkways can cause pads to crack and be sore. And, if ingested, these chemicals can be downright dangerous. Boots are one way to solve the problem but most dogs don’t like to wear them and good luck trying to get them on your cat! Instead, be vigilant about washing your pet’s paws before he has a chance to lick them. And to prevent ice build-up on paws, rub a little baby oil on and between the pads before going outside. The pads will stay more pliable and resist the formation of ice. You should also keep the hair between Fido’s toes well-clipped and be sure his nails are short so that snow can’t cling and form ice balls, which can be quite painful for your pet.
5. Food and water.
Pets who spend a lot of time outside in the cold will burn up calories to keep warm, so a little extra in the old feedbag is well-advised. However, Kitty may be spending a lot more time at home in front of the fire these days, or Rover’s walks may be shorter than in the balmier months and, in that case, be careful you don’t overfeed.
And don’t assume your intrepid hunter can find sufficient nourishment to survive the winter months. Cats who live exclusively al fresco and who generally fend for themselves will need extra nourishment to help them through colder times. The rodents and birds who are their natural prey will be in scant supply and as it happens, a well-fed cat will be a healthier cat and, therefore, a better hunter. (I’m actually a strong advocate of keeping cats indoors at all times, but that’s another story).
As for water, dry winter weather leaves your pet more vulnerable to dehydration so fresh water is essential at all times. To help prevent outside water from freezing use a heavy plastic dish as this loses heat more slowly than metal. A deeper dish will freeze less easily; and keep the dish away from shaded areas or, better yet, get a bird bath de-icer
6. Keep pets dry.
I already touched on this with regard to bedding but if Rover, Mouser or Trigger get wet, it’s also a good idea to give them a thorough rub-down before they settle inside. A wet pet will chill rapidly, just like you.
7. Honk your horn!
Cats (and other little critters) have a nasty habit of crawling into your car’s engine while it’s still warm. Before starting your car you can honk your horn or bang on the hood to scare any animals away.
8. Frostbite.
Frostbite is tissue damage, usually to extremities, caused by exposure to cold. If it’s cold enough and exposure is long enough, the tissue can actually die. In animals it’s not the easiest thing to spot because of hair coverage, but check the ears, paws, tail and scrotum in particular to see if the skin is pale and they are very cold to the touch.
Treat frostbite by carefully warming the affected areas. Do not rub or massage the frostbitten tissue; you risk causing infection that way. Instead, use warm cloths, heat pads or heat lamps. Then get your pet to the vet pronto! As the tissue warms it can be very painful and will need to be monitored and your vet will likely prescribe painkillers. Severely damaged tissue may require amputation to avoid life-threatening conditions such as gangrene.
9. Hypothermia.
This is a lowering of the core body temperature. Shivering is the first sign of hypothermia and, if heat loss continues, respiratory distress, paralysis and cardiac arrest can follow. Treatment involves rapid warming of the body. For mild cases keep a pet heating pad
10. Prevention is worth a pound of cure.
It’s an old adage but oh so true. A healthy pet is the first and best defense against winter cold and any ailments it may bring. The young and the old, of course, are always at greater risk so be watchful and be prepared and, please, keep a more vigilant eye out for strays at this time. Try and get them to a safe place, or at least put some food out and set up a shelter so they have a chance to survive.
“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”—Francis of Assisi
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Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe This Season
December 16, 2009 by Elizabeth
Filed under Animal Talk
You know, in the excitement of the holiday season sometimes we forget that things that to us are festive and fun, can be dangerous or even deadly to other family members. Here are some things to watch out for so Fido, Kitty and all can have a safe and happy holiday.
Christmas Hamster
Open Doors. It’s Christmas, people are coming and going, doors get left open and it can be like an invitation to wonderland for your pet. Soooo……how about putting a sign on the door (both sides of the door) to remind family and friends to keep it closed. And watch out when opening the door for those package deliveries. It only takes a moment for some four-legged critters to slip out.
Decorations. Treasured heirlooms dangling on the Christmas tree can be the most wonderful toys! At least, that’s what your pet might think but in fact, they can be downright dangerous. Biting on a glass ornament or getting tinsel wrapped around the intestines could result in an expensive visit to the vet rather than a cozy evening by the fire.
Angelhair and snow flock can also be toxic to your pet and cause eye and skin irritation.
Christmas Tree. If you must have a tree then the safest thing is to put it in a room where your pet is not allowed. At the least, hang ornaments high on the tree. The tree will look a little weird but the dog will be safer. That won’t work for cats, however, they’ll just do what cats do and climb!
On the subject of climbing, you should anchor your tree. I learned the hard way that just one cat can topple a six-foot fir when he’s determined to climb to the top.
And if you have a live tree, be sure to cover the water it’s in. Not only if you’ve added preservative to the water but pesticides and other chemicals can leech from the trunk, so you don’t want your pet to drink from it.
Gift Wrap. Ribbons and bows look lovely on the gifts but can be chewed and swallowed, causing choking. Be careful, too, of foil wrapping paper. The foil can be like a razor if ingested.
And don’t be tempted to tie a bow around Fifi’s neck. It can get caught or, if you have multiple dogs as I do, it’s all too easy for one of them to get hold of the bow during play and tighten it round the other dog’s neck.
Food. I know you want to treat your pets, after all it is Christmas. But feeding chocolate to Fido and Fluffy and the ferret can cause severe theobromine toxicity. Even your hamster can get sick if he chews on laurel leaves (dried leaves are popular in wreaths and such). So be aware of the many foods that can give your pet more than a little indigestion and, to be absolutely safe, stick with his regular diet.
And whatever you do, don’t let your dog or cat have the cooked bones from the roast. Cooked bones can splinter and lodge in the throat or intestines, which means pain and even death to your pet and another expensive visit to the vet!
Be sure to let visitors know they must not feed your pet. If you can’t be sure of their absolute cooperation, then it’s safer to keep Bonzo and Kitty in a separate room.
Plants. Many plants have been found to be toxic to dogs, cats and horses. A full list is on the ASPCA website. Those to be particularly careful of at this time of year are mistletoe (very toxic), holly, ivy, poinsettias and greens such as pine, fir, cedar, juniper and balsam.
Candles. Who doesn’t love candlelight and Christmas? Trouble is, your pet can also be attracted to the flickering flames, or rambunctious pets might knock your candles down. So be sure and place them out of reach so Fido and Fluffy don’t risk burns from flames or hot wax.
Stress. I know that’s an overworked word however, the noise, the bustle, the disruption of normal routine can be very upsetting for some pets. Be aware of your pet’s behavior and have a safe space ready in case it’s needed.
Travel. Perhaps you’re planning to go over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house for the holidays, so be sure and plan for your pets as well. Think twice before taking your pet by plane – cargo holds are not the safest place. Better to leave the “kids” with a sitter or in daycare.
Assuming you’ll be going by car, be sure you have all your pets needs – food, toys, bedding, etc – and add a temporary tag to his collar, with the address of the hotel or home where you’ll be staying and maybe your cell phone number.
Oh, and don’t forget to check first that your pet will actually be allowed to stay with you!
Jennifer Bofinger, media spokeswoman for the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said despite the shabby treatment of deer in general, her organization has not received any complaints about how Santa Claus treats his reindeer. – Los Angeles (LA) Times
