Winter Pet Safety

Winter is the one time of the year when keeping our pets safe from the cold is a mandatory thing to do. As the temperatures drop, it's easy to get caught up in the demands of the end of one year and the beginning of another, and forget about the needs of our most important non-human friends, our pets. Our pets face special challenges in the winter, but it's easy to avoid problems with a little consideration and extra preparation. Responsible pet owners need to stay focused on weather changes and react accordingly. If you feel uncomfortable with the outdoor temperatures, then your pet might be feeling that as well. If at all possible, try to keep pets inside as often as possible when Winter weather comes around.

Best Friends Pet Care recognizes the importance of Winter Safety for our pets. Throughout the remainder of October we will be posting Winter Safety Tips to our blog once a week. Stay tuned as all the tips we will be providing are of value to you and your pets!
For our first installment lets talk about our pets being outside in the cold and snow:

Never leave a pet locked in a car during cold weather. Cars can actually act like a refrigerator and hold cold air in, putting your pet at risk. Don't let your dog off his leash in the snow, unless they are in a safely enclosed outdoor area or they are completely trust worthy on staying close to you and coming back when called. Dogs can lose their scent and become lost very quickly when it snows. More dogs get lost in the Winter than any other time of the year. Keep a winter survival kit in your car. Include blankets, towels, water, bowl, first aid kit and a sign that your pet is in the car.
Cats left outside and wild animals sometimes climb onto car engines or beneath cars to seek warmth. Bang on the hood of your car, or honk the horn before starting the engine to warn them away.

Small dogs can be an extra consideration. They have less body mass so they have less protection against harsh winter weather. They are also closer to the ground. More then decoration, dog boots, sweaters and coats are a must have. A raincoat in particular helps protect your dog's skin and coat from pelting rain and snow. A cozy dog sweater raises your pets body temperature. It's important to note that most breeds that we cherish in our mid-west/eastern climates aren't natural to the region, therefore not bred to the Winters we face. Small dogs aren't the only ones in need of extra warmth. Short-haired breeds, dogs who are sick, puppies and older dogs may also need extra protection in the winter weather.
No matter what the temperature is, windchill can threaten a pet's life. A dog or cat is happiest and healthiest when kept indoors. If your dog is an outdoor pet, he/she must be protected by a dry draft-free dog house that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off of the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. Be sure to use straw and not hay as the seeds from the hay can germinate and grow in your pets house. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Feeding your pet a higher protein diet can help him/her hold up better in cold temperatures as well. Higher protein food can also help to keep your dogs fur in better shape to protect against cold temperatures. Routinely check your pets water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather then metal: when the temperature is low, your pets tongue can stick and freeze to the metal.
Next week we will talk more about outside pet safety and how to care for their feet and their coats during the winter.

Contributing to this article:
Kyle Raun; University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medicine
University Commons; Naperville Illinois
Partners for Animal Welfare