Weather / Housing
It is best to keep pets indoors during the
winter months, but this is not always possible.
When the temperatures drop, try to keep cats
inside, and shorten exercise and walks for dogs.
Outdoor pets MUST be provided with adequate
shelter. A doghouse should be no more than three
times the dog’s size. Shelter should be kept dry
and out of the wind, or at least try to face the
door away from the wind- usually south. Avoid
blankets as they hold moisture and harbor fleas.
Straw or cedar shavings are better bedding
choices. Elevating the shelter off the ground
will also help decrease moisture accumulation.
Ideally shelters should be insulated or heated.
ALWAYS
provide clean, fresh water for your pets to
avoid dehydration. If the weather is cold,
PLEASE check their water for ice formation, and
either remove ice or change the water if it is
frozen. Also consider non-metal dishes to
prevent your pet’s tongue from sticking. Staying
warm also requires extra calories. Pets may need
a change in diet or an increase in volume of
feed. In severely cold or inclement weather
(rainy, snowy or sleeting conditions), pets
should be brought indoors. Indoor pets should be
provided with a warm, dry area free from drafts.
NEVER
allow your pet to walk on a lake or pond that
looks frozen. The appearance of ice can be
deceiving and pets can fall through the ice.
This can lead to hypothermia, drowning and/or
death.
Snow Removal, Ice and Frostbite
Snow, ice, salt and mud should be removed from
your pet’s coat and paws as soon as possible.
Frostbitten skin is red, white or gray, may be
scaly or peeling, and may slough. Icy surfaces
can cut a dog’s paw pads, so try to keep your
dog on a leash or put on booties to help prevent
injury. Rock salt can be very irritating to paw
pads, so try to clean your pet’s pads thoroughly
after a trip outside.
Hazard Warnings: Motor Vehicles and Anti-Freeze
Cats, kittens and wildlife like to sleep in warm
places; this includes car engines, curling up on
or under the hood. Honking your car horn or
knocking on the hood of your car before starting
the engine may prevent accidental injuries.
Antifreeze can be lethal. It smells good and
tastes sweet to pets. However, it contains
ethylene glycol, a toxic agent, which in small
amounts can kill your pet. Store antifreeze in
tightly closed containers where pets and
children cannot get to it.
Feline
Urinary Blockage
Fall and winter are the most common time of year
for male cats to “block” or form small plugs or
stones that block the flow of urine from the
bladder. A veterinarian should check any cat
that seems to be “straining to go to the
bathroom” immediately. One of the most common
complaints is that the cat owner thought the cat
was constipated. This is common in colder
weather for a couple of reasons: decreased water
consumption, change in urinary habits- outdoors
vs. litter box indoors, cold weather- cats may
hold their urine and void less often.
Holiday Tips
Holiday food- alcoholic beverages, candy,
chocolate, turkey and pork, just to name a few,
can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and
cats. Some pets can become seriously ill.
Electrical cords can be attractive chew toys for
puppies and kittens leading to the risk of
electrocution.
Tinsel, ornaments, yarn, ribbon and garland can
be dangerous if ingested. Consider securing your
Christmas tree by anchoring it with a rope or
cord, especially for the troublesome
tree-climbing kittens or cats. Do NOT tie
ribbons around your pet’s neck or limbs.
Holiday candles should be kept out of pets’
reach.
Poisonous or toxic plants: Christmas rose,
holly, mistletoe, poinsettia and philodendron
are toxic to your pet. Keep them out of pets’
reach.
Parasite Prevention
Continue using monthly flea, tick and heartworm
preventatives. Pets should take these
year-round. It is often easier and cheaper to
prevent parasites than to treat them when a pet
is infected.
