County Critters
with Dr. Terri McQuade
Winter Pet Care
Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can
be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets
are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors
as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside
for extended periods of time, thinking that all animals are
adapted to live outdoors. This can put their pets in danger
of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your
animal warm and safe.
Take your animals for a winter check-up before
winter kicks in. Your veterinarian can check to make sure
they don’t have any medical problems that will make them
more vulnerable to the cold.
Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the
mercury drops. If you have to take them out, stay outside
with them. When you’re cold enough to go inside, they
probably are too. If you absolutely must leave them outside
for a significant length of time, make sure they have a
warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding (hay is
a great insulator that they can snuggle down in), and plenty
of non-frozen water. Try leaving out a hot water bottle,
wrapped in a towel so it won’t burn your pet’s skin.
Some animals can remain outside safely longer in
the winter than others. In some cases, it’s just common
sense: long-haired breeds like Huskies will do better in
cold weather than short-haired breeds like Dachshunds.
Cats and small dogs that have to wade shoulder-deep in
the snow will feel the cold sooner than larger animals.
Your pet’s health will also affect how long she can stay out.
Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and
hormonal imbalances can compromise a pet’s ability to
regulate her own body heat. Animals that are not generally
in good health shouldn’t be exposed to winter weather for
a long period of time. Very young and very old animals are
vulnerable to the cold as well. Regardless of their health
though, no pets should stay outside for unlimited amounts
of time in freezing cold weather. If you have any questions
about how long your pet should be out this winter, ask your
veterinarian.
Cats will curl up against almost anything to stay
warm--including car engines. Cats caught in moving engine
parts can be seriously hurt or killed. Before you turn your
engine on, check beneath the car or make a lot of noise by
honking the horn or rapping on the hood.
If you live near a pond or lake, be very cautious
about letting your dog off the leash. Animals can easily fall
through the ice, and it is very difficult for them to escape on
their own. If you must let your dogs loose near open water,
stay with them at all times.
If you light a fire or plug in a space heater to keep
your home toasty warm, remember that the heat will be as
attractive to your pets as to you. As your dog or cat snuggles
up to the warmth, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails
or paws come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot
surfaces. Pets can either burn themselves or knock a heat
source over and put the entire household in danger.
It’s a good idea to have your furnace checked for
carbon monoxide leakage before you turn it on, both for your
pets’ health and your own. Carbon monoxide is odorless and
invisible, but it can cause problems ranging from headaches
and fatigue to trouble breathing. Pets generally spend more
time in the home than owners, particularly in the winter,
so they are more vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning
than the rest of the family.
Pets that go outside can pick up rock salt, ice, and
chemical ice melts in their foot pads. To keep your pet’s
pads from getting chapped and raw, wipe her feet with a
washcloth when she comes inside. If your canine friend will
tolerate it there are speci