Cold Weather Care for Pets

As I look out my window, I see many leaves on the ground and some bare branches.  Must be the coming of winter here in North Carolina!  Those of you who are Northerners might scoff about needing to worry about animals in the cold down here in the Mid-South.  I'm sure when I was living in Michigan, I would never have thought that temps went close to or below freezing here.  But, I've learned that lesson well.  Last week, it was 28* when I went out at 5:00 am to walk my beautiful dogs, Dakota and Zoe.  I confess I wasn't so pleased about going out at that hour, as you can imagine, and I was especially annoyed when I practically froze with no gloves, no hat, and Birkenstocks!

Dakota and Zoe didn't seem to mind the cold that morning, but I am sure if they had to be out for a long period of time they would have been adversely affected.  And, they are indoor dogs who take walks with me and are guaranteed to spend only a reasonable time outside.  I start thinking about pets who
are out of doors all day long or even live out doors in some sort of pen.  Even though this used to be an "acceptable practice" I hope by now people realize that animals need warmth and comfort just like people do.

Here are some suggestions for winter pet care by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation Association:

- Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for extended periods of time, thinking that all animals are
adapted to live outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you
can do to keep your animal warm and safe.

- Take your animals for a winter check-up before winter kicks in. Your veterinarian can
check to make sure they don't have any medical problems that will make them more
vulnerable to the cold.  As with people, cold weather can exaggerate arthritis and other conditions.  

- Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the mercury drops. If you have to take
them out, stay outside with them. When you're cold enough to go inside, they probably
are too.

- Some animals can remain outside safely longer in the winter than others. If it is too cold for you to be out, it is too cold for you pet.  The age of your pet can have an impact upon the length of time that a pet can stay outside in cold weather.  In some cases, it's just common sense: long-haired breeds like Huskies will do better than short-haired breeds like Dachshunds in cold weather. That doesn't mean that they are immune to the cold, though.  Cats and small dogs that have to wade shoulder-deep in the snow will feel the cold sooner than larger animals, too.

- Your pet's health will also affect how long she can stay out. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances can compromise a pet's ability to regulate her own
body heat. Animals that are not generally in good health shouldn't be exposed to winter
weather for a long period of time. Very young and very old animals are vulnerable to the
cold as well.

- Regardless of their health, though, no pets should stay outside for unlimited
amounts of time in freezing cold weather.  If you have any questions about how long your pet should be out this winter, ask your veterinarian.

- Cats will curl up against almost anything to stay warm--including car engines. Check under the hood before starting the engine.

- If you live near a pond or lake, be very cautious about letting your rambunctious dog off
the leash. Animals can easily fall through the ice, and it is very difficult for them to
escape on their own. If you must let your dogs loose near open water, stay with them at
all times.

- Space heaters present a danger -- we have just purchased a little space heater to use instead of ratcheting up the heat in our whole house just to keep our feet warm.  It took 4 trips to different stores and two purchases before we found the one we wanted.  They all say they have safety features.  They don't all have the one I wanted - "automatic shut off if tipped over".  Pets tear around the house in play sometimes and space heaters can turn over so this is something to think twice about!

- Check the paws after being outside -- paws can crack and become infected,  Or, perhaps, your pet stepped in antifreeze which is toxic and can be ingested when the pet licks the paws.  Always wipe the paws off when the pet comes indoors.

- Prolonged stays in a car during really cold weather can have a bad affect on a pet, too -- cars can hold cold just like they hold heat in the summer.  It is like being in a refrigerator!

There are many different resources to check about keeping your pet safe in winter.  A few sites that I like are Dogs Naturally,  Cold Weather Safety Tips (ASPCA), and American Kennel Club to mention a few!

Winter can be a fun time for pets when you take precautions for them.  I've had dogs who loved being out in the snow and I've had dogs who hated it.  Just think about whether or not you would like to be outside in very cold weather without significant protection from the cold and use common sense about whether or not to allow your pets outside.  Have fun!