Before long the snow will be flying, so now is the time to prepare your pets to cope
with the coming cold weather. In addition to the dangers of cats seeking warmth on
an automobile engine, and dogs drinking carelessly spilled antifreeze, there are
other, less obvious threats to your pets" well-
Ticks are not such a threat inside, but they are apt to quickly revive after a winter
thaw -
Cats can be very finicky about going outside in inclement weather, which means they're likely to pack on some extra weight if not carefully monitored. We owners need to resist the urge to "feed their boredom", encouraging them instead to play with laser lights, "Cat Dancers" or just plain old plastic or rubber balls. Ask your vet what you cat's ideal weight should be and then check it once a month.
Dogs need to go out to do their business no matter how nice or naughty the weather, so in a snowstorm, it's tempting to just open the door and let them out to frolic on their own. Don't! Dogs easily get disoriented in falling snow for two reasons. One, it covers up the familiar scent track that gets them back home safely on snowless days, and two, new snow has a myriad of smells of its own that confuse the dog's highly sensitive nose and can literally lead him astray. Better to take your dog for fewer, longer walks than risk that one brief, but potentially hazardous, unsupervised outing.
Finally, remember that dogs' feet get cracked in dry, cold weather, especially if
they are walking on surfaces treated with salt and/or ice melter -
One more thing -
Dog Introduction Tips
- Have both dogs on leash but keep the leashes slack, as tension on the leash transmits tension and anxiety to your dog. Do not have one dog on leash and one dog off: this creates a huge imbalance and adds lots of tension.
Creature Comforts: It’s Wise to Winterize
if you don't take some extra precautions to protect your pet during the winter months. Here are some tips...
