Cold Weather Hints
As the weather turns cold, it is important to consider how seasonal changes affect
your pets. Outdoor animals can become the victims of improper shelter, lack
of fresh water, antifreeze poisoning, frostbite and even hypothermia. Here
are a few tips to warm the hearts of your animal friends.
Winterize Your Pet
Provide extra food, as some pets have increased appetites during cold-weather months
(mostly for animals kept outside, please remember health issues with your
particular animal, feed as vet recommended).
* Buy heated water bowls for outdoor pets, outdoor birds enjoy a heated birdbath
also.
* Consider using heated beds for extreme cold weather.
* Keep nails trimmed regularly. It is difficult to maintain solid footing with
long nails in icy conditions.
Skin and Coat Conditioning
* Inspect pet paws regularly to check for cracked pads, broken nails or snow and ice
damage.
* Brush the coat regularly to distribute natural oils to the skin.
* Use sweaters, raincoats, hats or paw protection such as shoes or booties.
Winterize Pet Shelters
* Add straw as insulation to doghouses. For outdoor cats, provide a snug warm bed
that does not sit directly on the cold ground or concrete.
* Watch for antifreeze leaks---they can be deadly to pets!
* For indoor animals, use protective screens around fireplaces and maintain
supervision in the area.
* Install carbon monoxide detectors for the
Safety of Your Family and Your Pets.
* Keep the temperature level. Animals are more sensitive to temperature changes
than we are.
Frostbite
Frostbite most frequently affects ears, toes, tail, scrotum and areas least
covered by fur.
Signs of frostbite include red or swollen areas of skin that is very pale and
white.
To treat frostbite, immerse the area in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes,
Never use hot water!
* Always Check with your Veterinarian!
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when a pet has been exposed to very cold temperatures and
or winds for an extended period of time. Symptoms of hypothermia include
shivering, low body temperature, stumbling, drowsiness and exhaustion.
To treat hypothermia, the pet’s body temperature must be raised. Surround the
pet in hot water bottles, warm towels or immerse in room temperature water
and slowly add warmer water. Try to get the animal to drink warm liquids.
* Call Your Veterinarian!
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