Keeping your pets safe and warm in the cold weather

Friday, January 08 2010

Bone-chilling temperatures can be dangerous for people and animals, alike, so it's especially important during the cold months to take precautions to keep your pets warm and safe

Urban pets usually spend the majority of their time indoors, and aren’t used to extremely cold weather. Don’t  leave your pets outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing.

Pets must build up a thicker winter coat and allow their footpads to become toughened for snow and ice. Animals that get too cold could develop hypothermia or even frostbite with the  ear tips especially.

As usual, make sure pets are wearing at least two forms of current identification in case they get lost outdoors, such as a pet license and microchip or a pet license and personal identification tag

Dogs

• Dogs with very short coats have the least tolerance for cold. Extremely short-coated breeds include Greyhounds, Dobermans, Boxers, Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas. These breeds shouldn't go outside without a sweater or a coat except for short times to relieve themselves.
• Small dogs with short coats (such as Chihuahuas, miniature Pinschers, and miniature Dachshunds) are especially vulnerable to cold. They may not tolerate any outdoor exercise in extremely cold weather.
• Elderly dog owners should take extra care walking their dog in slippery conditions, or if very icy should not put themselves at risk and keep their dog at home for the day.
• Many dogs need boots in cold weather, regardless of coat length. If your dog frequently lifts up his paws, whines or stops on his walks, his feet are uncomfortably cold. Be sure to get your dog used to wearing boots before cold weather sets in.
• Another frequently seen foot problem is the formation of iceballs between the pads and toes of the feet, especially in dogs with long fur. Once iceballs form, they are very painful, much like walking on rocks. When dogs get these, they often whine, stop walking and start chewing at the bottoms of their feet to remove the painful iceballs. To help prevent iceballs, trim hair around your dog's feet.
• Apply a small amount of Vaseline or cooking oil, spray to your dog's feet before taking him for a walk. Make sure you use oil that can be eaten; most dogs lick at their paws.
• If your pet walks on salted sidewalks or streets, be sure to wash his paws after your walk. Salt is very irritating to footpads. Many dogs will quickly start whining and biting at their feet after just a few steps on salted roads. Gently rub the bottom of the feet to remove the salt as soon as your dog is off the road.
• The pet population generally gets less active in winter. Consequently, cut back a bit on what you feed your animals, or you risk them becoming overweight. Northern dog breeds such as Huskies and Malamutes who actually work in the winter pulling sleds need more calories.

Cats

• Most cats prefer to spend winter indoors, but be cautious if your cat likes being outside. Don't let it out in bitterly cold weather, and be sure it has a warm place to go if it spends a lot of time outdoors.
• Cats left outdoors have a particular hazard; they often crawl into a warm car engine to get warm. When that engine is next started up, the cat can be seriously injured or killed by the fan blade or belt. It's much safer to keep your cat indoors in winter.
• If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, let him get acclimated gradually to dropping temperatures. Once a pet is acclimated to either warm or cold, a long dose of the other extreme is hard to take.
• Outdoor pets need a sheltered place that is well bedded with dry straw, shavings, blanket strips or other insulating material that traps warm air. Also, remember that animals drag a lot of moisture into their bedding areas from snow, rain and mud. Check it often and change it whenever it is wet, or your pets can't keep themselves warm.

Small pets

• Rabbit owners check water bottles, the little ball freezes up very easily and you get a thirsty rabbit. You can wrap up the bottle itself but need to keep pressing the ball in every few hours. Also add extra vegetables for moisture to feed
• The rabbit itself should be kept warm and cosy in its hutch, and owners should cover the front of the hutch with an old blanket or sacking, adding extra straw for warmth, and even putting in bricks which have been warmed in the oven to keep it warm.
• The hutch should be sited to avoid wind and rain/snow/sleet blowing in.
• A heater can be used in the shed or in the hutch when the rabbit is not in there, to keep the temperature above freezing, not to heat the shed to tropical temperatures, and lots of straw, but ensure they still have access to the run during the day.

Horses

You may be surprised at how well horses can adapt to colder weather. In the wild, horses can withstand temperatures at well below zero. However, there are a number of things that you can do to maximize your horse's health and condition during the colder months. Here are a few tips that will help to keep your equine friend happy and healthy during winter months.

• Horses can be affected by cold winds, which can make them spooky and unpredictable. The wind chill factor will make them feel colder. You can keep your horse happier by providing some type of windbreak such as a field shelter. If your horse does not have access to a shelter or stable, a line of trees may be adequate to block some of the wind or rain.
• There are now a variety of different rugs on the market to suit all types of horses and ponies. Rain sheets are available to offer a protection from wind or rain. Thicker rugs can be worn to add to warmth for finer coated breeds or horses that are clipped or underweight.
• It is also a good idea during the winter months to revaluate your horse or pony’s diet. If your horse loses weight in the cold weather you may need to increase the hay because it is the long fibre digesting in the gut that creates the heat to keep the horse warm. However naturally a horse will lose a bit of weight during the winter months in preparation for the spring grass. Remember just because it is winter horses and ponies are still susceptible to getting laminitis if they are overweight.
• Although the weather is colder, horses still need enough water. Water prevents dehydration and is a vital part of keeping your horse healthy. Not only should you provide fresh water, but check the water regularly to break and remove any ice build up. A tennis ball floating in the trough will slow down freezing. Keep a handy tool ready for breaking and removing the ice.
• Another tip to keep in mind is how your horse cools down after exercise. Although this is equally important in the summer time, horses can easily chill after a rigorous work out if they are not provided with a cooler blanket to keep their body temperature from losing heat too quickly and to keep them from becoming chilled while wet with sweat. Remember to walk your horse after work so that they can cool down slowly.

For more cold weather information for your pets, talk to your veterinarian

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