Cold Weather Pet Tips

Cold Weather Pet Tips from Mondak Humane Society :


If temperatures are dropping and snow is on the way, here are a some safety tips to keep your pets safe during the winter months.

When the temperature drops the best place for a pet is INDOORS! If this is not possible than you must provide proper shelter from the elements. A dog house should be large enough for your dog to sit and lie down in, but small enough to keep in body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be faced away from the wind and the doorway should be covered with a waterproof material like heavy plastic or rubber. And remember, outdoor pets will need to be fed extra food during the cold. It is best to feed a high protein food, your Veterinarian can recommend one to you. You will also have to provide water and make sure it's not freezing. Do not use metal pans for food or water as they can cause pets tongues to stick and freeze to them. CATS SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED OUT DURING THE COLD!!!

Never let your dog of his/her leash in the snow, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs can lose their scent in winter weather and become lost. In fact, more dogs are reported lost during the winter than any other season.

Wipe off your dogs legs and belly when they come back into the house after a "potty break" or a walk. This will remove any salt, anti-freeze or other chemicals that can be harmful to pets.

Short haired dogs or dogs that are groomed during the winter should have a sweater or coat. While you may consider this a luxery, it is a neccessity for many dogs.
And NEVER SHAVE OUR PET DOWN TO THE SKIN DURING THE WINTER! And make sure your dog is completely dry after a bath before you take it outdoors.

It may be a good idea to papertrain puppies during the cold, as they will not want to go out and this can cause a lot of problems during housebreaking.

ANTIFREEZE IS A LETHAL POISON FOR DOGS AND CATS!!! Be sure to clean up any spills or leaks from your vehicle and consider using products that contain Propylene Glycol rather than Ethylene Glycol. Ethylene Glycol has a sweet taste that pets like and it is deadly.

Indoor pets should be provided a nice warm place to sleep that is away from drafts and off the floor, such as a pet bed with a warm blanket or pillow in it.

And if you think you pet has frost bite or hypothermia, please contact your Veterinarian promptly for advice.