Winter is a period of severe cold and desensitizing moisture. Ensure that your four-legged friends stay protected and warm by following these few rules.
1. Keep pets inside
Keep your pets inside with you and your family. By no means should pets be left outside, if the temperatures are below freezing. Our canine friends are most happy when they habitually go out for strolls and exercise, yet kept inside the remainder of the day. Try not to leave your pets outside when the temperature drops to keep them warm in colder weather. Assuming your dog spends a significant part of the day outside, they should be accompanied by warm winter bedding and a dry cover that is big enough for them to move around easily.
Pets who invest a great deal of time outside need more food in the colder time of year since keeping warm drains their energy. Be sure to regularly check your pet's outdoor water dish to make sure the water they have access to is new and thawed out. We recommend using a plastic food and water bowl whenever the temperature is low because your pet's tongue can adhere and stick to the metal.
2. Wrap up, wipe down
Regardless of what the temperature is, wind chill can affect a pet's life. Uncovered skin on your pet’s noses, ears and paw cushions can be prone to frostbite and hypothermia during outrageous cold spells. Therefore, short-haired dogs tend to feel more happy when wearing a sweater in colder months.
Rock salt and different synthetic compounds used to dissolve snow and ice are prominent this time of year so it’s important we keep our pets protected. We recommend always wiping your pet’s paws with a warm towel when coming in from outside. The reason we do this is to make sure we’re getting those toxins off of their feet before they try and lick them clean themselves. By cleaning our pets feet off we are protecting their mouth from getting upset due to these dangerous toxins.
3. Eliminate normal toxins
Radiator fluid is a dangerous substance that many people may have lying around in their garage. Did you know that radiator fluid has a sweet taste? Be careful storing your radiator fluid where your pets can reach it, as it’s sweet taste may draw them in.
Also be sure to store any de-icing salt in a protected spot and wipe your canine's paws clean, after any time they’re exposed on walks. If your dog ingests rock salt, call your veterinarian right away.
4. Ensure open air creatures
Does your neighborhood have some stray animals? During this time of the year it’s important to remember that it’s not that difficult to give them a lending hand. For DIY options to keep a stray warm, we recommend putting out a plastic tub container for them to use as a shelter in case of bad weather. This will allow them a safe place to rest. You can make your own feline safe house rapidly and effectively with a simple plastic tub storage container. Cut open a “door” and place some blankets inside for the stray to use to make their bed.
Vehicles with warm engines are targets for cold cats. A cold enough stray will find their way under the vehicle in order to stay warm. This can be worrisome and dangerous as they may be under there when the owner decides to start up the car. To avoid harming a stray cat, in colder weather we recommend that you tap your vehicle's hood to warn them that you’re about to drive off. This will give them a chance to run away and find a new shelter.
5. Stand up / Speak up
Assuming you see an animal that has been left out in the cold for an extended period of time, be sure to discuss your concerns with their owner. Some individuals truly don't know about the dangers that cold climates pose to our pets. If no changes are made after talking with their owner, we recommend talking to your local animal control, informing them of the neglect.
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