Winter is Coming! How to Get Your Pet Ready!

It is now November, and as weird as that seems, the snow will be flying before you know it. In fact, in some parts of the world snow is already falling!! Today I am going to give you some pointers to help your pets deal with the cold and the snow of the winter months. Follow my guidelines in this post and you’ll have pets that are snug, warm, and healthy!!

If I were to ask you what the number one issue is for pets during the winter months, what would you say? Do you think it’s owners being irresponsible, or that pets get “cabin fever” similar to humans? While there may not be a clear number one issue, clearly there are several top issues I’m going to talk about today. Pay close attention to my advice, during extreme temperatures dogs are much more susceptible to disease and complications!

* Leaving your pet outside: Although this may seem like a good idea, it is only smart to do when the weather is temperate (not too hot or cold). Leaving your pet outside in the winter is like leaving a child out there. He as nothing to keep him warm and what happens when his water freezes? What will he drink? The best thing you can do for your pet is keep him inside during the winter, only letting him out to do his business and for a walk (yes, you should still exercise your dog in the winter!).

*Walking your pet in the cold: Ok, so you may think there isn’t much to this one, but I bet there are things you haven’t thought about. In most cities and towns, it is common for salt and other substances to be placed on the sidewalks and roads. What does this mean to your pet? Well, if he walks in it then licks his paws after returning home - he will be ingesting whatever chemicals were used on the pavement. This could be incredibly harmful to him. If you are walking your pet in areas where the salt is visible on the pavement, you should have your pet wear protective booties on his feet - these will act as a barricade and you can remove them after you get back home so he can lick his paws without eating deadly chemicals.

Not only could the chemicals be harmful if he eats them, they could also damage his paws. If he gets enough of the substance on them, they could cause an infection. If you notice him walking gingerly on his paws or whining, you should take him home at once (if your pet is small enough, I suggest you carry him home to avoid further damage) and rinse his paws off. If the pain continues, take him to the vet right away, chemicals that are left on his skin will be very damaging if they are allowed to stay!!

* Indoor guidelines: If you plan on keeping him indoors all winter, there are a few things you need to know to make sure he stays safe there too.

1. If you have any indoor, portable heaters - make sure they are not pointed directly at your pet and his sleeping area. Dogs and cats can get overheated too, make sure their sleeping area is warm, but not overly hot. Keep blankets for him to snuggle up against, and if you want, you can place a bottle of warm water underneath the blankets for extra comfort. Make sure there are spots in his sleeping area that he can move to that are away from the water bottle (REMEMBER: ANIMALS CAN OVERHEAT TOO!)

2. Food and water should be available at all times, make sure the water is not freezing cold. Change the water frequently. The food and water dishes should also be kept away from any heating vents.

3. You should also provide a little more food for your animals during the winter months. Animals need more calories during this time so they can keep their body temperature up - make sure you increase the amount of food according to recommendations from your veterinarian.

4. Grooming in the winter should be kept to a minimum. You should only get him trimmed, and should not shave an animal before winter. Dogs and cats naturally build up their coat for the winter, and if you shave all that off, you leave him with nothing to protect himself.

5. Always be sure to wipe your animals paws off before they return to the house. This helps get the salt and other chemicals off his paws, it also helps save your carpet!

*Playing in the snow: Playtime outside should be kept limited. Hypothermia does exist for dogs and cats! Depending on the breed of dog you have, the amount of time you can spend outside varies. For example: a Siberian Husky with a thick coat (made especially for living in a cold climate) will be able to stay outside longer than a Doberman Pinscher (these dogs have very short hair - not suitable for cold weather). You can think about it this way: a dog with short, thin hair going outside in the cold would be the same thing as you walking out without a coat and only a thin shirt to keep you warm. Please take this into consideration when going out to have snowball fights or make snow dogs!

* An important note about cats: Cats have a habit of seeking out shelter when they start to get cold outside. A common place for them to go is underneath a car (one that is either running or is still warm) or into the engine of the car itself. This can be incredibly dangerous for the cat if the car is started while he is in there. Be sure to knock on your car or honk your horn before starting your car to ensure there is not a cat in there.

Keep an extra close eye on older pets as well as puppies or kittens - the extreme weather can be very dangerous for them! Please follow these guidelines - they will make your winter months with your pets enjoyable ones!!

DON’T FORGET TO SEND ME PICTURES OF YOUR PETS IN THEIR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES - THEY WILL BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING BLOG POST!!

Thanks for reading! As always your participation in comments and discussions are encouraged and greatly appreciated!!