Winter Tips

It is getting cold here in Minnesota, and the snow will soon be piling high. Even though some of us love to play in it, the snow can be extremely terrifying. Please, Pet Lovers, use a little common sense during this wintery wonderland:

• Make sure all "outdoor" dogs have a warm, dry doghouse, with a flap-type door and straw to snuggle in. In this weather, there is no such thing as an "outdoor" cat!

• Bring ALL pets into the house when the temperatures drop!

• Feed your pets a little more. Like people, they burn more calories in the cold, both to keep warm and because exercise is more strenuous when running through the snow. The more your pet is outside, extra fuel will be need.

• Be sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. Pets, like people, lose moisture through breathing, and the effects of cold temperatures are magnified by dehydration. Keep water bowls free of snow and ice.

• Have you noticed that your skin is drier and flakier during the winter? Your pet's skin may dry out, too, causing his or her coat to lose insulating ability. If you notice flaking skin ("doggie dandruff") or a lusterless coat, ask your vet about adding a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil to his or her food.

• Keep an eye on your pets when you put them outside to "do their business." Wind chills cut through short fur just as fast as they do through your street clothes, and even tough paw pads can be frostbitten. Use pet sweaters and boots that fit well but leave plenty of freedom of movement for walking, running, playing, etc. if your pet will tolerate them, and do not leave animals outside too long! If the pet is shivering or limping, even if he or she appears to be having a great time playing, get him or her into the house immediately! If you do not, you may end up carrying him/her.

• When the snow starts piling up, shovel paths and a bathroom area in your yard. Some people make a game of it with their dogs, adding to the paths each time they go outside to form runs and mazes that they can enjoy together.

• If your dog insists on going on walks regardless of the weather, do not go too far when it is cold, and clean off his paws when you have been walking on plowed streets and salted sidewalks. Salt and road chemicals can burn those pads, and they do not do the digestive tract any good when licked off paws, either. Do not use salt or chemicals in dog pens or play areas!

• Everybody has heard about the dangers of anti-freeze and windshield de-icer, but until pets quit dying from lapping up spills in their owners' driveways, the message bears repeating. These products smell sweet, taste good to your dog or cat, and even as little as a teaspoonful can kill (depending on the size of the pet--or child). Symptoms include an appearance of "being drunk:" lack of coordination, vomiting, depression, and increased water intake and urination. Call your vet immediately if you suspect anti-freeze poisoning; these chemicals kill in a matter of 4 - 8 hours or less! Even if the pet seems to be getting better, irreparable kidney damage may have already occurred. Of course you are careful yourself or use an animal-friendly anti-freeze, but be aware that others are not always as knowledgeable or conscientious. Keep your pets away from any spills you might encounter when you are out and about.

• If you see an animal left out in the cold, please speak to its owner, or notify your local police or animal welfare agency! Difficult as it may be, when talking to neglectful pet owners, do not be accusatory or belligerent. Get your point across conversationally, if you can, and in a friendly manner. Ignorance is curable by education.

Have fun in the snow with your pet. Just do not stay out for too long.