Keeping Pets Safe and Warm by Vicki davis

Keeping Pets Safe and Warm

Vicki Davis posted on November 15, 2008 10:38 :: 6056 Views

Guidelines to Help Protect Your Pets From Cold Weather

·Bring pets inside when the temperature is below freezing.
·Sweaters may help small dogs with short haircoats stay warm when they go out in the cold.
·Dogs with well-insulated doghouses should be brought inside when the temperature drops below 5 degrees.
·Make sure outdoor dogs have proper housing:
*The doghouse must be large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortable but small enough to hold in body heat.
*The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground
*The doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic and face away from the wind.

Housing
Most pets are happiest and healthiest when kept indoors with their owners. For pets that must be kept outside, proper shelter from inclement weather is essential. Doghouses should be big enough for dogs to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. With the correct size house, lined with clean, insulating straw or shavings, a dog's own body heat will keep the dwelling warm. If the house is too large, the heat dissipates quickly. It is also important to have the floor of the house raised enough to keep water runoff from entering. A canvas curtain or a drape over the opening can add extra protection. The power of winter wind chill should not be underestimated! Straw bales piled outside a doghouse or enclosure can buffer some of the wind's effects.
Dogs kept outdoors in the winter need a constant supply of clean, thawed drinking water. Adequate hydration aids in burning calories and producing heat. Owners should be urged to check regularly for ice formation in water bowls and to change the water as needed. plastic bowls should be used in the winter to keep a dog's tongue from freezing to a metal container. Winter calorie needs often increase for outdoor pets in order for thicker coat. Feeding times and quantities should be increased accordingly. Indoor dogs are usually less active and experience a drop in calorie requirements over the colder months.
GROOMING AND DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER
Outdoor dogs need to be kept well groomed to remain warm because a matted coat of fur loses its insulating ability. Dogs prone to hair growth between the footpads should have their foot hair trimmed regularly so snow and ice melt compounds do not collect around the toes.
Cold tolerance varies by breed and body condition: Shorthaired breeds may need a layer of fleece to deflect the chill. Owners should be reminded that very young and senior pets, those with preexisting medical conditions, and brachycephalic breeds are more susceptible to cold temperatures.

Hypothermia and Frostbite
Animals that are left outdoors in freezing temperatures with inadequate protection are prone to hypothermia (low body temperature) and frostbite. Some signs of hypothermia that owners can look for include shivering, slow and shallow respirations, and mental dullness. If hypothermia is suspected, owners should be instructed to bring the pet to the clinic immediately. If the owner does try to warm the animal (with blankets, a heater, etc.), it is essential that only the pet's abdomen and thorax are warmed; warming extremities first can cause the animal to go into shock. Frostbite occurs most commonly on paws, ears, and tails. Affected body parts are unlikely to have sensation until thawing begins. They become red, swollen, and very painful. Treating hypothermia or frostbite requires prompt attention from veterinary professionals.

Ice melts
Most pets become exposed when they groom the compounds off their feet and fur. Salivation and mild gastrointestinal signs often ensue. Most problems can be prevented by wiping a pet's feet with a damp towel or bathing a pet soon after it has walked or rolled in areas with ice melt. Using sand or cat litter to help with traction in icy spots is a safe option. If pets must walk over ice melt compounds, paws can be pretreated with a thin layer of nonstick cooking spray to prevent adherence of the compounds. Booties can also help if pets tolerate them.

Holiday Hazards
The winter holidays present special safety concerns for pets. There are handouts available with information on the following:
·Poisonous plants
Christmas cactus, mistletoe, holly (contrary to popular belief, poinsettia plants are not very poisonous to pets, but ingestion of the plants may cause mild gastrointestinal upset).
·Dangerous decorations
Tinsel, string, ribbon, tree lights, breakable ornaments, metal ornament hooks, artificial snow.
·Toxic treats
Chocolate, bread dough, liquid potpourri, alcohol, avocado, coffee, garlic, grapes, raisins, hops, macadamia nuts, moldy or spoiled food, onions, salt.
·Gifts with hidden hazards
Toxic treats, batteries

Antifreeze
Ethylene glycol is found most commonly in greenish colored antifreeze chemicals used in motor vehicles, but it is also in rust removers, film processing solutions, and some solvents. Because of its sweet taste, even a small radiator leak of fluid can attract animals. A single lick can be deadly! Keep advised chemicals well sealed and out of reach. If ingestion is suspected, prompt veterinary intervention increases the chances of a favorable outcome.

Hazards for Cats
Cats are not well suited for being outside in temperatures below freezing. The thin cartilage of their ears is especially prone to frostbite and can slough off in very cold climates. When left outdoors, cats often seek shelter under the hoods of warm cars or other dangerous equipment. Cats can be severely injured when caught in fan belts. To scare away cats before starting an engine, slap you hand against the hood of the vehicle or honk the horn. Also, stay alert for cats that may get locked inside sheds or outbuildings in their effort to find warmth.

Keeping Pets Safe and Warm
by Catherine Whitney, LVT
Anchorage, Alaska
Source: Veterinary Technician Magazine Vol. 24, No. 11, Nov. 2003

Enjoy your pets,
Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis is the Executive Director of the Tri-County Humane Society, located in the greater St. Cloud, Minnesota area. Vicki serves the community by providing quality care and adoption services for animals in need and by offering educational programs to encourage the awareness, understanding and practice of humane principles