How to protect your pets during freezing temperatures

To say it's cold out there is an understatement!  With wind chills in the sub-zero range it is dangerous for people as well as animals.  Protecting your pets from the elements is extremely important and can be a matter of life or death.  Here are some tips:

1.  Bring your pets inside! This is the best case scenario.  Limit your pet's time outdoors to quick potty breaks and put them in a sweater if they tolerate it.  If your pet cannot come indoors, at least put them in an insulated garage with warm, dry bedding.

2.  If you cannot bring your pet inside provide adequate shelter:  Provide an insulated shelter such as a doggloo or well made doghouse.  Make sure that it is elevated a few inches off the ground and faces away from the wind.  Also, cover the opening with a water-proof flap like plastic or burlap and fill with STRAW.   Hay or blankets can get wet and moldy.

3.  Make sure outdoor water bowls are thawed! Frequently check water bowls and break ice as needed.  Also be sure to use a plastic bowl as it doesn't freeze as quickly and wet tongues can't stick to the plastic.

4.  Protect against frostbite and chemical burns from ice melt products.  Be sure to shovel around dog houses and walkways to keep paws from being snow-packed and frost bitten. Wipe paws when they come inside and use pet-safe ice melt products.  Many can cause burning and irritation or be harmful if ingested.

5.  Bang on your car's hood before starting it.  Many outdoor cats will seek refuge in the warmth from your vehicle's engine so be sure they have time to escape.

6.  Keep your pets well groomed.  A clean, well groomed coat will help keep pets insulated.  However, try not to shave hair down to the skin during winter months.  Also, if you give your pets a bath make sure their coat is completely dry before allowing them to go outside.

7.  Don't leave pets in the car!  It can be just as dangerous to leave pets in cars in the winter as it is in the summer.  In the cold your car can act like a refrigerator and won't offer any protection from the cold.

8.  Keep rodenticides out of your home.   During the winter mice want to seek refuge in your home and it is tempting to use rat poisons to help control them.  The best advice is to not use them at all.  These poisons are just as tasty to your pets as they are to the rodents and can be fatal if ingested.  Even if you think that you are keeping them out of reach, some determined and resourceful dogs can still find ways to get to them.  Also rats and mice can drag the poisons out and into the reach of your pets.   Finally, your pet can ingest the toxins by eating a rodent that's already eaten the poison.   Use live traps instead and eliminate their food source by keeping crumbs cleaned up and pantry foods stored in mouse-proof containers.

Finally, if you see a pet in your neighborhood that isn't being properly cared for in the weather contact your local Animal Control or sheriff's office.  Report what you see and note the date, time, location and description of the animal. Also, respectfully follow up with the animal control agency a few days later if the situation isn't remedied.

Stay warm everybody!  

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T

Kutter Pet Care Center