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When cold weather
is on the way, it's time to give special attention to your
pets
and livestock, both inside and out. Here are some winterizing tips for
optimizing your animal's comfort and well-being:
Quick Tips
· Bring pets indoors when
temperatures approach freezing.
· If your pets must stay
outdoors, provide shelter such as a dog house or garage.
Provide blankets
or old towels for insulation to keep them up off the ground or floor.
· STORE ANTIFREEZE
OUT OF REACH OF YOUR PETS. Antifreeze poisoning is fatal.
· Keep your pet's coat
dry.
· Keep your pet's bedding
dry.
· Check the pads of your
pet's feet. If their paws become cracked, you can use petroleum jelly
(Vasoline) to alleviate the dryness.
· Prevent outdoor water
bowls from freezing.
· Check under your car
and in engine compartment for cats seeking warm shelter.
· Visit with your vet about
calorie needs for your pet during cold weather. Some dog breeds such
as Huskies are more active during the winter requiring increased calorie
intake.
· Bathing during the winter
is not necessary, especially in very cold weather. Frequent brushing
is preferred.
· Bring very young pets
indoors; they are less tolerant of temperature extremes.
· Bring elderly pets indoors;
they are less tolerant of temperature extremes.
· Don't leave your pets
in your vehicle when temperatures approach freezing.
For
More Information:
Extreme
Cold |
| Give
the outdoor cat and dog a break and invite them in, even if it's in the
garage. This goes for longhaired breeds also. That doesn't mean letting
dogs and cats in and out of a warm house from night to day. Creating
an abrupt temperature contrast can increase the risk of some infectious
diseases. Consider housing them in the shelter of a well-built doghouse
or bringing them into a tool shed or garage. Make certain there are no
ice pieces clinging between the toes or on the sole of the foot. They
can cause frostbite to an animal that is left outside for a significant
time in sub-zero temperatures. |
Outside Pets |
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Outdoor dogs must
be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to
allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to
hold in body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the
ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be
turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered
with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic. Animals drag
a lot of moisture onto their bedding from every trip outside in snow.
Plan on changing the bedding as frequently as necessary or simply placing
it in the dryer for a warm-up.
Pets that move about
on sidewalks, driveways or streets run the risk of picking up rock
salt, ice and other chemicals in their foot pads. Each time they are
brought in, make certain to wipe all four feet thoroughly. There is
a tendency for them to lick the salt off their feet, which can cause
an inflammation of the digestive tract. |
Drinking
Water |
| Keep the
water supply from freezing. Pet stores sell heated bowls, which can prevent
water freezing. |
Short haired
pets |
| For short-coated
breeds like greyhounds, Boston terriers, and Chihuahuas, you might want
to put them in a protective sweater before taking them outside. They
will become chilled quickly after leaving a 72-degree house and walking
onto single-digit-temperature turf. Sweaters are not a substitute for
shelter. They can get wet and actually remove more heat from an animal
than they conserve. |
Older Pets |
| Be particularly
careful when escorting elderly, arthritic pets outside. They will become
stiff and tender quickly and may find it difficult to move about in the
snow or ice. Keep them tethered tightly to your side if the route to
the yard is icy. A bad slip can cause a ruptured disc, broken leg or
other major injury. |
Younger
Pets |
| Young
puppies and kittens should be kept inside in freezing weather. They are
in great danger of getting sick or freezing. |
Ponds and
Lakes |
| If you
live near a pond or lake, thin ice is as much a risk to pets as to people.
If you live near a pond or lake, don't allow your pets or livestock to
run loose without some thought on your part. They may head for thin ice
and fall through if they are not familiar with icy ponds. It is very
difficult to escape these watery graves and equally challenging for you
to reach the site safely. |
Nutrition |
| Nutrition
is a particularly important concern. Outdoor pets require more calories
in the winter to generate energy to ward off the cold. As a result, add
10 to 15 percent more to its daily diet to allow it to meet those needs.
Another way to meet cold weather calorie requirements is by adding some
fats to their regular ration. Be careful though, fats can lead to diarrhea
and dehydration if too much is added. Use plastic food and water bowls
rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can
stick and freeze to metal. |
Horses and
livestock need "winterizing" too |
| Horses
and other livestock need a windbreak, cover, warm bedding, abundant high-quality
feed, and fresh water, too. Cold weather alone won't make healthy horses
ill. But if exposed to soaking rains, snow and wind, they run the risk
of catching pneumonia. Bedding like thick layers of straw or shavings
is critical, since it will keep the animals off the cold, wet ground.
Like pet shelters, the open side of any livestock enclosure should be
faced be away from prevailing winds. Again, water must be heated or changed
several times daily. A reduction in water intake and the resulting dehydration
in horses can trigger colic. |
Automobiles |
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Warm car engines
are dangerous for cats and small wildlife. Parked cars attract small
animals who may crawl up under the hood looking for warmth. Before
starting the engine, rap on the hood a couple of times to chase them
off from beneath the hood.
Don't leave pets
alone in cars during cold weather months. When the engine is off, a
car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold. |
Chemicals |
|
De-icing chemicals
are hazardous. The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice
can irritate the pads of your pet's feet. Wipe the feet with a damp
towel every time after coming in from outdoors - even if you don't
see salt on walkways.
Antifreeze is a deadly
poison. However, it has a sweet taste that attracts animals and children.
Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach. Better yet, use antifreeze-coolant
made with propylene glycol; if swallowed in small amounts, it will
not hurt pets, wildlife, or people. |
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