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Vet offers
cold weather tips for pets
When the weather outside turns
cold and snowy the Hasbrouck Heights Oradell Veterinary Group and The American Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers the following suggestions about your
pet’s safety:
- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors,
cats can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to
stray are exposed to fatal infectious diseases, including rabies. Cats also prey on
wildlife.
During the
winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started,
the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Before starting the engine, bang loudly
on the car hood to give the cat a chance to a chance to escape.
Never let your
dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their
scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other
season, so make sure they always wear I.D. tags.
Thoroughly wipe
off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He
can ingest salt, antifreeze or other chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads
may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
Own a
short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or
turtleneck that covers the dog from the base of the tail on top to the belly underneath.
While this may seem like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.
Never leave
your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the
winter, holding in the cold. The animal can freeze to death. If your dog is sensitive to
the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
Puppies do not
tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the
winter. If necessary, papertrain your puppy inside if he appears to be sensitive to the
weather.
If your dog
spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food,
particularly protein, to keep his fur thick and healthy.
Like coolant,
antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills
from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than
ethylene glycol.
Never shave
your dog down to the skin in winter. Leave the coat longer for more warmth. When you bathe
your dog, completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.
- Make sure your companion animal
has a warm place to sleep away from all drafts and off the floor, such as in a dog or cat
bed with a warm blanket or pillow in it.
Source: ASPCA
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