| Winter Care Tips for your Pet Weather -Keep cats indoors and shorten exercise walks when the temperature falls. Safe outdoor temperatures for pets vary by breed and size. -If your pet must be outside at all, provide adequate shelter. The dog house should be no more than 3 times the size of the dog. The door should face away from the wind. Avoid blankets and straw because they can harbor fleas. Use cedar shavings for bedding. Provide similar shelter or building access for outdoor cats. -Never allow your dog to walk on a pond or lake that looks frozen. Pets can fall through and drown if ice is not strong enough to support their weight. Parasite Prevention -Continue monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. These medications should be taken year round. Prevention is cheaper in the long run. Fecal exams should be run once to twice yearly to check for internal parasites. Motor Vehicles and Antifreeze -When the weather cools, cats like to sleep near a warm car engine, curling up on or under the hood. Be sure you know where your cat is, but preferably honk the horn or bang on the hood before starting your vehicle because other outside cats may be under the hood too. -Antifreeze can be lethal. It is sweet and the taste appealing to pets and children. Always clean up any antifreeze spills. Contact Battenkill Veterinary or one of the local emergency clinics if your pet ingests any of the antifreeze. Diet/Food/Water -Outdoor pets can burn more calories in the winter and may need more food available during this time. Indoor pets do not need any increase in their food, it can stay the same in all seasons. -To prevent dehydration, be sure your pet's water supply doesn't freeze. Don't use metal dishes outside- your pets tongue can stick to the metal. -Candy, especially chocolate, can make pets sick. Stomach upset is a mild side effect of eating chocolate, but they can develop chocolate poisoning. This can be fatal and a veterinarian needs to be contacted immediately. Feet -Rock salt can irritate paw pads. Be sure to clean your pets feet well before coming in from the outside. -Icy, uneven surfaces can cause cuts on your dog's paws, so keep them leashed or wearing booties on the ice. You can see blood on the snow or ice if their paw has been cut and this may require an emergency visit to your veterinarian. -Toenails can also overgrow in the winter because of decreased outdoor activity, so pedicures need to be done on a regular basis. Holidays -If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog, consider anchoring your christmas tree to the wall using a strong cord or rope. Make sure any presents that can be accessed by your pet is wrapped and do not use ribbon or raffia. Non-perishable foods as presents should be kept away from the pets because they can smell the food and open up the packages, such as chocolate candies. -Frequently check the ground around christmas trees. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet's intestines. -Keep all tree ornaments, yarn, ribbon, and garland out of reach of pets. Hang them high on the tree. Do not use tinsel. -Keep candles out of reach of pets. -Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia plants are poisonous when consumed. Keep them out of pets' reach or preferably out of a house with animals. -Puppies and kittens like to chew, so keep electrical cords out of reach. -When entertaining guests, be sure they know these and other household rules pertaining to your pets. |
| Seasonal Tips |
| Holiday Items that Can be Dangerous to your Pets Chocolate: Depending on the dose ingested, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity, increased thirst and urination, and an increased heart rate. It can cause death. Gum: Candies or gum containing the sweetner xylitol can cause a drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. Leftovers: Bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy, spicy, and fatty foods can cause an upset stomach. Alcohol: Alcohol can cause a pet to go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure. Aluminum foil: Aluminum foil and cellophane wrappers can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage. Lilies: Toxic lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Mistletoe: Mistletoe and holly berries can cause gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, nausea), cardiovascular problems, and lethargy. Poinsettias: Considered very low in toxicity, poinsettias might cause mild vomiting or nausea. Christmas tree water: Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers that can upset a pet's stomach. Stagnant water cam also be a breeding ground for bacteria. Decorations: Decorations like ribbon and tinsel can become lodged in the intestines and cause an obstruction. |
| Articles courtesy of ASPCA and Firstline magazine |