Gearing up for Cooler Months

In most parts of the country, the temperatures are starting to drop and it won’t be that long until the snow starts to fly. Winter weather conditions pose interesting and dangerous situations for pets. If you keep the following things in mind during the winter, you can be sure your pets safe, warm and comfortable.

Never leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops. If they must be outside for any period of time, make sure they are supervised. Short haired, young and old pets should be paid more attention to as they may have a more difficult time dealing with the cold. If necessary, use a doggie sweater or coat for walks or extended periods of time outdoors.

Pets that spend more time outdoors will need more food than normal because staying warm in cold months requires extra energy. More food will provide the energy they need to stay warm. Be sure to use plastic food and water dishes instead of metal. The metal can get very cold and your pets tongue could stick to the water dish.

Warm engines in parked cars can attract small animals including cats. To avoid problems, bang on the hood of your car before starting it the next time you go out. This should scare any animals taking a nap in the engine compartment. If you are routinely finding animals under the hood, move your car to a garage or talk to neighbors about stray animals.

Be careful of chemicals being used in and around your home to get rid of ice. These chemicals can be especially dangerous to all pets. The chemicals in salt and other deicers can irritate the pads of the foot. If the irritation persists, your pet may lick their paws to clean them and spread the poison to their mouth. To prevent this, wipe your pets paws with a damp cloth when they come in from outside. Another prominent chemical in the winter is antifreeze. This chemical has a sweet taste that could attract small animals and even children. Be sure to clean up any spills and keep bottles out of reach and off the floor.

Rabies Awareness and Prevention

World Rabies Day reminds us each year how serious rabies can be. This year World Rabies Day will be help on September 28. The purpose is to raise awareness of the rabies disease. More than 55,000 people with most of them being children, die of rabies each year. Asia and Africa have the highest mortality rates, while North America reports less than 10 human cases per year. Rabies is most common in wild animals with raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats being the most frequent carriers.

While rabies in domestic animals is all but extinct, it is still required to have your animals vaccinated against this viral disease. Unvaccinated animals can still be infected if bitten by an affected carrier. If you suspect a rabid animal has taken residence on your property, you should never try to handle the situation yourself. Contact authorities immediately to take care of the diseased animal. Don’t let your dogs or other pets run loose if there is a threat of a wild rabid animal

It is imperative for pet owners vaccinate their animals to fight the rabies disease each year. For more information about rabies and World Rabies Day, please visit www.worldrabiesday.org