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| Alana snuggles in bed on a cold winter day. Photo copyright by her owner, Claire Clayton |
Did you know that leaving your four-legged companion in your car on a cold day is just as dangerous as doing it on a hot day? Pets need to be where it's safe and warm.
Cats and small dogs will loose body heat rapidly. Your little dog needs a warm sweater or coat, as does any dog or cat who is either hairless or has a very little hair, such as the Greyhound, Whippet, Chinese Crested and from the cat family, the Sphynx, come readily to mind.
If you're walking your dog please remember that he is essentially walking barefoot. If the place where you walk uses ice melt on the roads, be sure to wash off the pads of your dog's feet when you get home. If he licks his paws he can ingest the ice melt sticking to his paws. Both you and your dog can track it into the house which would also expose your cat to ice melt. You can buy a non-poisonous ice melt to use on your own property but your town or city will not be using that product. They will use a less expensive and it will be dangerous to pets.
Be very careful not to allow your pet to get into anti-Freeze. It is lethal if ingested. Unfortunately, it's very attractive to dogs since it smells and tastes sweet to them.
If you think that your pet may have ingested a poisonous substance, get him to your veterinarian as fast as you can.
Be sure your pet gets his exercise while indoors. You can think up creative, fun and safe games to play. One of the best things you can do is clicker train your dogs and cats which will allow them to exercise their minds as well as their bodies. A small dog can play fetch down a hallway and get some real exercise.
With precautions and an eye toward safety, you and your pets can enjoy the winter.
5 comments:
Thank you for this VERY important reminder to all pet owners. Even the most loving and careful pet owners can forget some of the simple, yet life-saving tips you mention in this blog.
Thank you for all that you do for animals, Darlene.
Thank you for your wonderful comment, Lisette. I truly appreciate it. I hope more people will share this blog post so more pets will be safe this winter.
Well done, Darlene. You have given all pet owners excellent tips to keep their pets safe and healthy throughout the winter. Thank you for writing this blog.
Thanks, too, for continuing to strengthen the human/animal bond.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it, Rescuegal. The human/animal bond is very important to me, as are the health and safety of all pets.
Thanks so much and especially "If you're walking your dog please remember that he is essentially walking barefoot. If the place where you walk uses ice melt on the roads, be sure to wash off the pads of your dog's feet when you get home"
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