Dogs and cats can’t tell us when they’re feeling under the weather, so it’s important as a responsible pet owner to pay attention to your pet’s well-being during the winter season. Here are some tips to help you out.
Pet parents should avoid:
- Antifreeze - Keep it away from your pets! Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your pet, it can be lethal.
- Rock salt - Used to melt ice on sidewalks and may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk.
- Frostbite - Is a huge winter hazard for pets. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, try not to leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time.
Pet parents should watch out for:
- Supplemental heat sources - Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
- Frozen bodies of water - Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.
- Not enough fresh water - Providing plenty of fresh water for your pets is always important. Your furry friend is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.
Tips for winter care for your canine friend:
- Towel or blow-dry your pet if they gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean their paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
- Groom your pet regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.
- Feed your pet additional calories if they spend a lot of time outdoors or if they are a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.
- Don't leave your dog alone in a car. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.
Have a safe and happy holiday season, from all of us at Petsecure!
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Generally pet dogs don't drink water from puddles. But I also recommend not to let them drink from them. It may also infect him with bacteria.
Secondly it is also recommended to have a pet insurance. With a good insurance you can have peace of mind.
- Annabela
Posted by: pet health | January 23, 2010 at 10:19 AM