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Winterizing Your Pets
You’ve got the boots, gloves, coat and hat. You’ve sealed cracks around your windows and doors at home. Your car has its new wiper blades, antifreeze and snow tires. But what about preparing your pets for winter? Are Fluffy and Fido ready for the cold? Despite their fur coats, cats and dogs sometimes need extra help when it comes to staying warm during the winter. A thick-haired, indoor dog may not grow a coat heavy enough for sporadic forays outside, for example, if he is accustomed to the consistently warmer temperatures indoors. And no short-haired dogs should live outside during the winter. Even a heavy coated dog that spends all year outside may need help for extra-cold nights. It may seem silly to buy outerwear for a dog, and your dog may object at first, but once it becomes accustomed to the feeling of wearing a coat and boots, it will welcome the comfort. The key to getting your dog to wear a coat is to purchase the right dog coat. Just as with coats for humans, sky’s the limit for styles and selection. Choose a washable, breathable fabric such as knit or a light fleece for an active dog. A heavy material may cause your dog to overheat and object to subsequent wearing. Measure your dog’s length from collar to tail and the girth around its chest before coat shopping so you know what size to get. Or, shop at a store such as PetCo or Petsmart, both of which allow pets inside. Many dog coats are adjustable, so that will help ensure a good fit. Or, if you’re handy with a sewing machine, try making your own with the free pattern available at Sewing Circle of Crafter’s page: www.sewing.circleofcrafters.com/freepetvestpattern.html or follow the directions for transforming human outerwear into a doggie coat at Craftzine’s, blog:craftzine.com/archive/2009/09/how-to_dog_coat_from_a_recycle.html. Do not leave a dog outside while wearing a coat that fastens with buckles or other hardware that could catch on a fence. The best way to protect your indoor dog from becoming too cold is to stay outside with it during exercise times and occasionally feeling its ears, which are pretty good indicators of body temperature. (By the way, dog bandanas and hats, if tolerated, aren’t a bad idea, either, since like their owners, dogs lose a lot of body heat through their heads.) Dog boots aren’t just high fashion for spoiled celebrity pooches. For indoor dogs that take walks on salted sidewalks, on icy surfaces and for long periods of time, boots can protect their tender pads from painful cuts. As with coats, measure ahead of time to ensure a snug fit. Have a helper distract the dog with petting or treats while you slip the boots on the animal’s paws. In time, the dog will become accustomed to footwear. Petco offers Paw Tectors boots, starting at around $26. At Petsmart, Top Paw boots are $about $15 and Muttluks boots cost around $46. Dogs that live outside or barn cats may need extra bedding during winter. Provide them with straw, old towels or other items into which they can nestle inside a pet house. Some pet beds help reflect the animal’s own body heat for extra warmth. (Electric pet beds aren’t recommended for outdoor use, but can make a cozy sleeping spot inside.) A pet house should have a thick flap to keep out the draft. Turn the house so it faces away from the wind and towards a windbreak of some kind and raise it off the ground a few inches on a pallet or blocks. The house should be big enough for the animal to turn around in, yet small enough to conserve body heat, about 1.5 times the animal’s height and length. Monitor the outdoor temperature and bring pets inside the garage or enclosed porch during very cold weather. (First, make sure that the area is free of pet hazards such as antifreeze, which is toxic, yet attractive to some pets.) Bang on the hood or honk the horn in case a cat curls up under the car for warmth. Keep the overhead door open anytime the car is running in the garage so that exhaust fumes don’t build up in the garage, because this could kill a pet sheltered there. For timid feral cats, leave a porch or garage door ajar for a while and watch from the window to see if they “sneak in” on cold days. Placing food dishes inside will also help lure them in. Speaking of dishes, go with plastic or ceramic water dishes outside. Metal ones may cause your pet’s tongue to stick to the dish. Frequently break the ice to ensure they get enough to drink. Or, you can consider buying a heated pet dish to do the chore for you. PetCo stores offer heated bowls starting at around $31. Outdoor pets will need more food during the winter as their bodies work harder to maintain warmth, so offer larger feedings. Before letting the dog or cat out into the yard, clear away enough snow so the animal can eliminate easily. Remember, pets are a lot shorter than humans and animals’ undersides are usually less furry and more sensitive to cold than other places on their bodies. Take the time to get outside with your dog for fresh air. A brisk walk or game of fetch on crisp, cold days can help both of you shake off the winter doldrums and get some exercise. Pet care tips listed Below are more winter safety tips for pets. The information is provided by Dr. Gail Golab and can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Web site (www.avma.org). • Outdoor pets must be provided with heated or insulated shelter in the winter. • Their home should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet and snow. • Water sources may be heated to permit constant access to unfrozen water. Thermal units designed for this purpose are available. • Roaming cats, as well as house pets and wildlife, may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth during cold weather. • Be sure to check under the hood before starting your vehicle and honk the horn to startle any animals seeking shelter inside. • Snow and salt should be removed from your pet’s paws immediately. • Frostbitten skin is red or gray. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas until the skin appears flushed. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for further care. • Plants and other items associated with the winter and holiday season can be toxic to your pets. This includes poinsettias, anti freeze, holly berries, tinsel and more. Consult your veterinarian, animal poison control and the manufacturer for specifics. |
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Seasonal guide
Once they become accustomed to the feeling of wearing a coat and boots, they will welcome the comfort.