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