Winter is coming! Take care of your pets this season with these tips.
The cold weather is here to stay for Maryland past November, and you and your pets can’t help but feel the chill. While you will heat your home and bundle up in coats and sweaters, your pets will also need appropriate care to keep them well. Whether you have a cat or a dog, check out these cold weather safety tips for pets.
Provide Shelter & Warmth
Dogs and cats feel the cold as much as human beings, even if they do have a winter coat. If your pet stays outside for a lengthy amount of time for any reason, be sure to provide it with a place of shelter to stay insulated from the elements. You can find attractive outdoor houses for dogs and cats that come with the great comfort of an electric heating pad.
Provide Ample Food & Water
Animals need more food and water to stay warm in cold weather. If your pet stays outside, provide enough food and fresh water daily for its needs. When providing fresh water, serve it in a plastic water bowl. If the bowl is metal, the pet’s tongue could stick to the metal in the cold.
Bundle Up
Short-haired dogs especially need a winter coat when taking a walk, especially an extended one. If you are feeling chilly, your dog likely feels that way as well. Your dog might also need a winter coat if it is a senior dog, a puppy, walks close to the ground, or does not retain heat well.
Keep Clean
Road salt and deicers can stick to your pets’ paws in the winter, and if they lick their paws, they can ingest toxins. Wipe your pets’ paws after a walk and make sure they continue to be well-groomed throughout the cold season.
Keep Poisons Away
Speaking of toxins, keep poisons like deicers away from your pets at all costs. Antifreeze is another chemical to keep away from your pet. If your pet ingests any known poison, such as antifreeze, rock salt, or another type of deicer, call your vet at once. For your own property, you could use a non-toxic deicer like sand or non-clumping kitty litter instead.
Car Engine Caution
In very cold weather, cats are known to climb under the hood of the car to keep warm. Check under your hood before you start up the engine, particularly if you don’t know the whereabouts of your pet.
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With two Maryland locations in both Baltimore and Pasadena, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131 or 410-793-7670! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!