Cold Weather Pet Tips 🐶
Winter is just as difficult for pets as it is for people. Responsible pet owners must pay attention to weather changes and react appropriately. If you are uncomfortable with the outside conditions, your pet may be as well.
Protection against the elements
If your pet spends most of its time outside, make sure it has adequate protection from the wind, snow, and cold. Use an exterior heated pad or bed to keep your outdoor pet warm. Heated pet mats need to used with caution…..they are still capable of causing burns. Heat lamps and space heaters should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Your pet should not only be comfortable and warm but also be able to easily enter and exit their shelter. Your pets bedding should be thick and dry!
KNOW THE LIMITS! Shorten your walks if possible and be careful on snow and ice (animals are also prone to slipping and falling). Cats and dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia. Yes, long-haired and thick-coat breeds may tolerate the colder climates but no pet should be out for very long in below-freezing temperatures! We all know about hot vehicles but cold ones also can pose significant risks. They become refrigerators, so limit travel with your pet! That’s a hard one for me because Ryn is always traveling with us.
A source of clean water
I don’t recommend any pet be left outside for long periods of time; especially in a Minnesota winter but if they are outside always make sure they have unlimited access to fresh (non-frozen) water. During the winter, dehydration can be a serious problem. Your pet’s water must not freeze. Change the water frequently and a heated pet bowl might assist in keeping your pet’s water supply accessible.
Prevent Poisoning:
Antifreeze-Ethylene glycol, one of the most common components in antifreeze and deicers, is highly toxic to pets. Antifreeze’s sweet fragrance and taste appeal to pets. Even a small amount of antifreeze in your pet’s stomach can be fatal. Antifreeze is quickly absorbed and has a high mortality rate. It’s critical to receive therapy as soon as possible. Make sure to clean up any antifreeze spills. Any amount can be deadly!
Arthritis and Joint Pain
Rheumatism in pets, like rheumatism in humans, can be aggravated by cold, damp weather. Arthritis is most commonly encountered in older and geriatric pets, however, it can also occur in younger animals. Rheumatoid arthritis could be a concern if your pet has trouble getting up or laying down, shows signs of discomfort while being picked up or placed down, or has trouble climbing stairs. A visit to your veterinarian may be necessary, and there are a variety of joint and pain supplements available. Just check us out; petsproplus.com. We have a variety of chews and supplements to help be proactive in your pets wellness!!
