• Any dog or cat who is exposed to very cold temperatures can develop frostbite.  That's especially true if they are outside for any length of time, not moving and in a yard.  If pets begin to shiver or their ears, tail, and feet show signs of frostbite such as redness in the early stages and pale, white or patches in more advanced cases of frostbite, bring them inside immediately.  Call a vet, if they do not warm up.

 

  • For small and short haired doggies, please put a little jacket or snow proof coat on them for their walks! 

 

  • Antifreeze is a killer for both humans and our pets, and is very toxic.  Our domestic pets are e attracted to the sweet smell and taste.  If it's accessible, your dog or cat will often sample some, especially if it's on your usually safe property for them, in a container on the patio or spilled on the garage floor. If you suspect that your pet has come into contact with antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately because saving your furry child depends on how fast the vet can help them. 

 

  • Much like humans, damp and cold weather can aggravate arthritis symptoms in dogs and cats. If your pet is having trouble getting up or laying down, walking up and down your stairs or has started to cry when being picked up, a visit to your vet is a good idea. Never medicate your dog or cat with human prescriptions or over-the-counter medications without consulting your veterinarian first, but ours has us using Move Free on our large breed dogs, shepherds and Labs that way 85 lbs. or more, along with coated aspirin, Ecotrin.  But, most human meds and supplements can be toxic for pets and there are numerous arthritis treatments for pets through our vets.

 

  • Also, your dog or cat deserves a comfortable bed. Several pet and feed stores carry safe heated floor mats or non-electric warm bedding, or you can add a blanket or towel or two onto an orthopedic bed from companies like Cabellas or L.L. Bean...use your Amazon points for your pets!

 

  • Pets need to have fresh water at all times. If you leave water outside for your pets, be sure it  does not freeze and bring the water and your dog and/or cat in!  Yeesh...not safe for 2 leggeds and 4 leggeds outside for any length of time this month, especially with an epic snow storm on the way.

 

  • Outdoors on cold days, animals may seek shelter near something warm like a car engine. If an animal is near the engine when the car is started, serious injury can occur.  We lost a farm kitty when I was little and my grandfather fired up his old blue Pontiac with the cat laying on the warm engine on a snowy day.  I now beep the horn, if our Byron kitty is out for the day, before cranking my engine.

 

  • Starting a car to warm it up in a garage will trap carbon monoxide. It can only take a few minutes for a small pet to die in a sealed garage with a car running.  This CM gas is poisen for humans and pets, so always open your garage before starting up an engine.

 

  • During winter months, rodents are often attracted to the warmth of homes. Make sure poisons and rodenticides are out of reach of pets.

 

No matter what your plans on for this snowy weekend and weeks of cold weather that will end this winter, be sure to think of your pets too!