| In many parts of the country, winter is a season of | | | | Road Salt. Keep your pet away from road salt. This |
| bitter cold and numbing wetness. Help your pets | | | | chemical compound can cause painful burns to an |
| remain happy and healthy during the colder months. | | | | animal's feet, tongue, and mouth. Wash it off |
| Do not leave dogs outdoors when the temperature | | | | immediately. Long-haired dogs can track in the |
| drops. Most dogs, and all cats, are safer indoors, | | | | chemicals on their body hair. |
| except when taken out for exercise. Regardless of | | | | Snow. Don't let your dog wander away in the snow. |
| the season, shorthaired, very young, or old dogs and | | | | Scent, sound, and landmarks may become confusing, |
| all cats should never be left outside without | | | | making it quite easy for dogs to become lost. |
| supervision. Short-coated dogs may feel more | | | | Keeping Warm . . . |
| comfortable wearing a sweater during walks. | | | | During the winter, dog sweaters are great for |
| No matter what the temperature, windchill can | | | | keeping long hair clean, dry, and away of chemicals. |
| threaten a pet's life. A dog or cat is happiest and | | | | They are also wonderfully warm and cozy. Also: |
| healthiest when kept indoors. If your dog is an | | | | Keep beds and crates in a warm, draft-free area of |
| outdoor dog, however, he/she must be protected by | | | | the house. |
| a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to | | | | Avoid frostbite by limiting the time your pet plays |
| allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably but | | | | outside. Remove snow and ice immediately from |
| small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor | | | | your pet's paws, nose, and body. If skin is red and |
| should be raised a few inches off the ground and | | | | dry, apply an emollient to soothe it. If skin is white, |
| covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house | | | | cold, and painful to the touch, contact your |
| should be turned to face away from the wind, and | | | | veterinarian immediately. Frostbitten areas require |
| the doorway should be covered with waterproof | | | | slow thawing by frequently applying warm, moist |
| burlap or heavy plastic. | | | | towels. |
| Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more | | | | . . . but not too warm. |
| food in the winter because keeping warm depletes | | | | Hot water bottles are the safest choice for contact |
| energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to | | | | heating. |
| make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use | | | | Winter burns are common. Don't let your pet spend |
| plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when | | | | too much time in front of the fire. Even when |
| the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick | | | | heating pads set on low, they can burn your pet. Try |
| and freeze to metal. | | | | to keep your pet away from the hot air that comes |
| Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small | | | | out of heating ducts. The hot, dry air often causes |
| wildlife, who may crawl up under the hood. To avoid | | | | dry, flaky, itchy skin and dry nasal passages. Never |
| injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car's hood | | | | leave your pet alone with electric or kerosene |
| to scare them away before starting your engine. | | | | propane space heaters. An accidental bump can result |
| Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet | | | | in terrible burns and/or a fire. |
| taste that may attract animals and children. Wipe up | | | | Outside dog houses. The most preferable place for |
| spills and store antifreeze (and all household | | | | your dog to be is inside with you, However, if he or |
| chemicals) out of reach. Better yet, use | | | | she has to be outside, follow these suggestions: |
| antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol; if | | | | Supply a well-insulated dog house that isn't so big |
| swallowed in small amounts, it will not hurt pets, | | | | that it lets out all of the dog's body heat. If a dog |
| wildlife, or your family. | | | | house has a wide open door, it won't keep out the |
| Probably the best prescription for winter's woes is to | | | | wind. Choose the type of dog house that has a door |
| keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family. | | | | on the side rather than in the front. Elevate the dog |
| The happiest dogs are those who are taken out | | | | house slightly off the ground to prevent moisture |
| frequently for walks and exercise but kept inside the | | | | from accumulating. Change the bedding regularly to |
| rest of the time. Dogs and cats are social animals | | | | keep it clean and dry. |
| who crave human companionship. Your animal | | | | Use nonmetal water bowls to prevent wet tongues |
| companions deserve to live indoors with you and | | | | from sticking. Get a warming device for the water |
| your family. | | | | bowl, and check it regularly to make sure it's working. |
| Winter can be hard on your four-footed friends. | | | | |
| Don't assume that just because they have fur they | | | | If your dog is an outdoor dog, and is old, arthritic, or |
| can sit outside in the winter. Most of them can't. | | | | sickly, do him or her the biggest favor and invite the |
| Water. Active dogs need as much water, or even | | | | dog in for the winter. |
| more, in the winter than they do in the summer. | | | | Winter Diet. Check with your veterinarian about your |
| Make sure that outside water supplies do not freeze. | | | | pet's diet. Active dogs and outdoor dogs may require |
| De-icers are available from pet supply catalogs, and | | | | a more calorie-dense food to help them fight the |
| run from $15.00 to $40.00. You can also purchase | | | | elements. |
| them from hardware stores. | | | | Mosqitoes? In many places, mosquitoes are present |
| Antifreeze. Keep your pet away from antifreeze. | | | | even in the winter. Be sure to continue your pet's |
| Poisoning takes only a couple of licks. Antifreeze may | | | | heartworm medicine if he or she is already on it, and |
| lurk in your garage on your driveway. | | | | if not, have your pet tested. |