February Announcements
Winter can be quite dangerous for dogs that spend a lot of time outside. If you do not take good care of them they can become seriously ill. This is terrible for you dog and your pet care budget.
Give your four-legged friend some extra attention from you during winter. Common outdoor winter pet needs are:
- A good shelter which is dry and provides a break from the wind and moisture.
- A good supply of water - a pet dish water heater can be a great way to make sure there is plenty of water.
- When walking your dog, or letting your dog out, consider a sweater. This is especially true if they are short haired.
- Many dogs love to eat snow. When you are walking your dog avoid letting them eat or lick snow. You do not know what chemicals may be on the snow and it can cause the dog to lose too much body heat.
- Wipe off your dog's legs and stomach off when they come in out of the sleet, snow or ice. Allowing them to lick their paws and coat can cause them to ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals.
- Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may want to paper-train him inside.
- An often overlooked consideration during winter is to supplement their food with additional nutrition during the colder months. Your veterinarian can make suggestions on what is best for your pet. Better pet nutrition will strengthen your pet's immune system. Higher protein foods are often recommended because they increase metabolism and helps maintains their fur and help keep skin healthy and ready to fight the cold.
