Weren’t we all just planning our trips to the beach or the
lake a few weeks ago? I know for my
family it sure seems that way, yet here we are well into the month of
October. It’s that time of year when
leaves are falling gently into backyards creating Norman Rockwell photographs
throughout neighborhoods in Frederick and Montgomery Counties. Children’s thoughts turn to hot chocolate,
their Halloween costume, trick-or-treat route, and annual trip to the pumpkin
patch. Parents of both children and pets
alike begin thinking of spiced apple cider, Halloween costumes (for parties), scenic Fall drives, and
cozy nights huddled by a fire or wrapped in a blanket with a good movie. Fall, which happens to be a personal favorite
for me, is a wonderful time of transition.
It is filled with beauty and anticipation of the upcoming holidays and other
festivities. Fall also serves as the
official trumpeter of Old Man Winter making his return. As a Maryland native, as much as it pains me
to say it, it is that time of year to retire the flip flops, tank tops, and
shorts in favor of a pair of boots, sweats,
and a jacket. It is also time, amidst all the fun and change
in the air, to think about winterizing your furry family members.
Maryland is known to be a fickle state when it comes to
weather. We are on the upswing of the
jet stream and as most Marylanders know it is not at all unheard of to go from
a 60 degree Indian Summer day to snow the next day. Winter
brings with it unique beauty, serenity, and dogs that love running as the snow
is falling. It also brings some unique
dangers for your pets. So, as you start
pulling out the jackets and boots for yourself and your children, consider the
following tips as part of your winterizing routine to ensure your pets don’t
fall victim to some of winter’s perils.
Beware the
Antifreeze: All too often even folks
that are educated about the inherent dangers of antifreeze to pets still make
the mistake of leaving the bottle open in garages or worse, ignoring small puddles of antifreeze on
floor of garages or in driveways. The
sweet taste of antifreeze (caused by the chemical ethylene glycol) is deadly to
animals. Even one teaspoon can kill a
dog or cat according to R.J. Krapfl, DVM and spokesperson for the American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Even if a pet doesn’t lick the antifreeze directly from the floor of
your garage, driveway or sidewalk, they can still get antifreeze on their paws
during a walk and lick their paws leaving your pet terribly ill. Make a habit of keeping an eye out for
antifreeze during walks and playtime and check your garage and driveway for any
antifreeze puddles (typically a yellow/green or orange color). Another good defense is using less toxic
antifreeze made with propylene glycol (available at most retailers that carry
automotive products. Finally, consider
washing or at least wiping off paws following a walk to get rid of any traces
of antifreeze and road salt.
Honk Your Horn and
Think of Summer: Cats that are
permitted outdoors, along with several other small animals, love to curl-up
next to the warmth of a car engine.
Consider making a habit of tapping on your hood as you walk to start
your car or toot your horn to scare any stow-a-ways from your engine before
someone gets hurt. Think about
summer!!! Why? Because for some reason
people think that its ok to leave their pets in a car when its freezing cold
despite never considering the same misstep in the heat of summer. If it’s extremely cold outside and you leave
your pet in your car with the engine running while you run a quick errand your
pet can succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning.
It is a very real threat.
Shutting off your car will leave your pet in a mobile ice box. The temperature in a vehicle drops extremely
quickly and can leave your pet in a perilous situation. Consider leaving the pet at home or making
arrangements with a sitter if it will be a long day of errands.
Watch Out for the Old
Timers: Older pets are not dissimilar
to senior citizens. Cold weather
exacerbates existing conditions like heart ailments, lung conditions and
arthritis. Just like humans, pets lungs
can be severely damaged in extreme cold and joints will be much more stiff and
tender. Consider inside exercises or
dramatically reduced time outside for your older pets.
Tails and Ears: Even though we all too often look at an
animal and figure that because they have fur they are warm you need to keep an
eye on your pets during the harsh winter months. Dogs can get frostbite! The ears, footpads, and tip of the tail are especially susceptible
according to the American Veterinary Association (AVMA). If you believe frostbite has started to take
hold of one of your pets use a towel dampened with WARM water and gently apply
it to the affected areas, wrap the animal in blankets and get him/her to the
vet.
Make Sure They Have
Adequate Shelter: If your dog is not
acclimated to cold weather prolonged exposure to bitter cold can cause
problems. If you insist on keeping your
animals outside during the colder months ensure that the opening to the shelter
is faced away from wind, it is off the ground to allow for air circulation and
there is a supply of water that is maintained in a heated bowl. If the weather plunges below freezing pets,
even outdoor pets, need to be given indoor shelter in a temperature controlled
dwelling.
Know Your Pet’s
Limits: A Siberian Husky is going to
fair better in snow and bitter cold than a single coat dog like a poodle or a
terrier. If you have a single coat dog
see the next section on boots and outdoor wear.
Boots and
Jackets: Yes, we all think they look adorable in their
winter dog booties and jackets but if your pet is going to be exposed to severe
weather these “cute” items are important to consider. Prolonged and regular exposure to ice and
salt can harm a dog’s paws. Some dogs
are simply not equipped for the harsher winter weather and extra care in the
form of a dog jacket or sweater, while cute, can be an important part of your
pet’s winterizing. Again, I’m not
suggesting that your dog needs to be bundled up for a quick trip to relieve
him/herself, but if you are planning on a long walk or extended play time and
you have a single coat canine consider appropriate precautions.
Itchy, Flaky, Dry
Skin: As the owner of a Beagle I can
attest to the impact the change in weather has on my dog’s coat. Like humans, animals skin takes a beating in
the winter months. Cold air outside
combined with warm air in the house can result in severe itching, psoriasis,
and a dull coat. Using a humidifier in
your home or as part of your HVAC system is helpful as is making sure your pets
stay hydrated. Another simple,
inexpensive thing that many pet sitters and groomers offer is brushing. Brushing stimulates skin to produce needed
oils and on a less technical note its great bonding time with your furry family
member(s). If you decide to bathe your
animal consider using a pet shampoo that is hypoallergenic and contains oatmeal
which is good for soothing skin.
Watch the Clock: Last but not least, be aware of how long
you are outside with your pets or your pets are outside alone. This is common sense but all too often folks
get carried away with the sledding and playing in the snow and see the family
pets seemingly frolicking right along with the neighborhood children. The differences is the pets can’t tell you
there face is numb and they can’t feel their fingertips (I know, many of our
children don’t tell us either but you get my point ;). Be smart and enjoy the pretty white stuff but
keep an eye on the clock.
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