Great tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association
With bad weather plummeting the East Coast, these tips can help us keep our fur babies healthy this winter, Our furry friends may have a nice fur coat, it doesn’t
mean that dogs and cats are not susceptible to frostbite and
hypothermia.
I found this great article from the AVMA providing pet owners with tips on
keeping your pet warm and safe throughout the winter.
How tolerant to cold is your pet? Just like people,
pets’ tolerance for the cold can vary from pet to pet based on their
coat, body fat stores, activity level and health. Be aware of your pet’s
tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly:
- Long-haired and thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather.
- Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less
protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their
bellies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground.
- Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal
imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease) may have a harder time regulating
their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from
extreme ranges of temperature. The same goes for very young and very old
pets.
- If you need help determining your pet’s temperature limits, consult your veterinarian.
“Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as
huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of
cold weather, but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time
in below-freezing weather,” said Dr. Joe Kinnarney, president of the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Adjust your dog’s walks.
In very cold weather you may need to adjust the route and duration of
your walks to protect you and your dogs from weather-associated health
risks. Arthritic and elderly pets in particular may have more difficulty
walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling.
Be prepared for emergencies. Cold weather also
brings the risks of blizzards and power outages. Have enough pet food,
water and medicine (including any prescription medications as well as
heartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through at least
five days.
Prepare a safe indoor environment. Pet-proof your
home and make sure pets cannot knock over space heaters. Provide a
choice of comfortable sleeping places that will allow your pet to vary
its location based on its need for more or less warmth. If you have
birds, make sure their cages are away from drafts.
Make some noise. A warm vehicle engine can be an
appealing heat source for outdoor and feral cats, but the consequences
of hibernating there can be deadly. Check underneath your car, bang on
the hood and honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage
feline hitchhikers to abandon their roost.
Check the paws. Check your dog’s paws frequently for
signs of cold weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or
bleeding. A sudden lameness during a walk may be due to an injury or ice
accumulation between the toes. You may be able to reduce the chance of
ice accumulation by clipping the hair between your dog’s toes.
Wipe down. When you get inside, wipe down (or wash)
your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove any chemicals or salt and
reduce the risk that it will be poisoned after it licks them off of its
feet or fur. Consider using pet-safe deicers on your property to protect
your pets and the others in your neighborhood.
For more tips on keeping your pets safe during cold weather, visit
avma.org/ColdWeather.
To schedule an interview with an AVMA member veterinarian, contact
Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at
847-285-6687 (office),
847-732-6194 (cell), or
msanfilippo@avma.org.
