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.