Winter is coming! You're probably already making changes in preparation for the colder weather moving in—digging out the coats and boots, stocking up on the hand lotion and lip balm, and putting antifreeze in the car.
While you're making preparations for yourself, don't forget to make a few preparations for your furry housemates. The cold can make pets just as uncomfortable as it can make you if you're not protecting yourself. Winter can be a health risk to cats and dogs if pet owners don't remember to take a few precautions.
Here are some tips for helping keep your household pets warm and cozy for the winter.
When Is It Too Cold?
Even though our pets come with a built-in fur coat, the cold can still be dangerous. Pets can freeze when the temperatures drop. Freezing can lead to serious health problems, or can even kill your pet if you're not careful.
If you live where it's so cold that, even when bundled up, you can't wait to get indoors and warmed up, chances are your pet would also enjoy coming indoors. Even in a car, when you run into a store and the engine is off, it may be too cold for pets to endure. Talk to your vet about temperatures that may be too cold for your pet to be outdoors.
Watch the Paws
You would probably not run around barefoot in the dead of winter, but that is probably what your pet is doing every time you take him outside. A dog's paws are not winter-proof; stepping on snow, ice, slush, or salt and chemicals meant to help snow melt can cause discomfort and result in serious injury.
Bring a towel along on long walks so that if your dog steps in anything irritating, you can wipe it off right away. If your pet will wear booties, all the better; if not, rub some petroleum jelly on his paw pads to add a little layer of protection before walks.
After walks, wash and dry your pet's feet and belly to prevent irritation and remove debris. Check your pet's feet for cracks, swelling, or redness.
Bundle Up
You probably wouldn't go out for a walk without a coat, or at least a sweater. Buy some winter gear for your pet, especially if she has short hair. A turtleneck sweater or high-collar coat provides a welcome layer of warmth for dogs who are not bred to be out in icy climates.
Use a Humidifier
Dry winters can wreak havoc on the skin, and your pets are no exception. Pets can develop dry, flaky, itchy patches in the winter too. Sudden temperature fluctuations when going outside and inside can trigger skin irritation. To help avoid this, use a humidifier in the wintertime. Your pets will thank you, and you will enjoy the benefits of a humidifier as well.
Limit Baths and Shaving
In the wintertime, try to bathe your pet on an as-needed basis. Keep the house warm and dry your pet off as quickly as possible by having lots of dry towels on hand to absorb the moisture. Your pet may benefit from a moisturizing shampoo or conditioner in the wintertime—ask your vet for recommendations.
When it comes to haircuts, leave a little fur on your fur babies in the wintertime. This is not the best time for a close shave.
Increase the Rations
Keeping warm in the winter requires the body to burn off extra calories. During the wintertime, you may want to bump up your pet's food intake a little bit. Your vet can help you calculate the best amount to use for the season.
While you're adding some food, don't forget to make sure your pet always has access to water and stays hydrated. Good hydration can help prevent those dry weather skin irritations.
Break Out the Blankets
Your pet will appreciate a warm place to cuddle up and sleep in the wintertime. An extra blanket and/or pillow on your pet's bedding will make them feel nice and cozy. If the area where you keep your pet's bed is a little drafty, you may wish to move it for a few weeks to a warmer spot in the house—just make sure that spot isn't too close to heat sources, such as radiators, fireplaces, or vents. You don't want to risk your pets get too warm or burned.
Keep the Chemicals Away!
Every year, tens of thousands of animals suffer from antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze contains lethal chemicals that can be fatal in small amounts. Unfortunately, experts suspect the toxic substance actually has a pleasant taste, so animals can be drawn to it. Even so-called "pet-safe" antifreeze has dangerous chemicals.
Clean up any chemical spills right away, and keep the dangerous product—including ice-melting chemicals—in a safe, secure container out of reach of your family pets.
Keep Your Dog Close In the Snow
Some dogs just love to run around and frolic in the snow, but when it's snowing, or when there is snow and ice on the ground, it may cause your pooch some confusion. Pets may have trouble seeing in snowstorms, and they can't track your scent if they don't see you. They can become disoriented if they get too cold, too.
When you take your pet out in the snow, keep him on a leash. If he wants to run, set him loose in a fenced-in area, such as a dog park. Finally, always make sure your dog has an ID tag on his collar, and have him microchipped.
If you have any questions about your pet's health and safety in the wintertime, give us a call. Our vets here at The Animal Doctors have been caring for pets for over 40 years. Winters can sneak up on you here, but if you're concerned about your pet, our team has you covered. Give us a call.
We provide veterinary services to pets in the San Francisco Peninsula, including Atherton, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, Stanford, and Woodside.
