Hypothermia
and frostbite from the cold and snow, broken bones from falling on
ice and poisoning from ingesting antifreeze are just a few of the
hazards that make winter the most deadly season of the year for pets,
animal experts warn.
And
pet parents are being urged to take precautions to keep their dogs
and cats safe by limiting their outdoor activities in extreme cold
and snow, and using sweaters to keep them warm and treatments to
protect their feet during outdoor activities.
"While
it’s easy to think that dogs are immune to cold because of their
fur, the fact is that more dogs perish in the winter than at any
other time of the year," Liam Crowe, CEO of the training company
Bark Busters USA, states in a media release. "Frostbite,
hypothermia and antifreeze poisoning present the biggest winter
threats to dogs."
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Story continues here
A
dog's paws are especially vulnerable to injury during the winter
because ice, salt and grit can cause fine cracks in the pads and
between the toes, according to Four Paws, an animal welfare and
protection agency in the United Kingdom.
“Paw
injuries can become very painful for the animals,” Martina Schnell,
a pet expert at Four Paws, states in a media release. “Dogs often
lick their paws clean after a walk and salt can reach the stomach
where it can lead to stomach injuries.”
To
protect a pet's feet, Four Paws suggests:
- Applying Vaseline or a protective ointment to paw pads before going out for walks to prevent cracks.
- Walking on clear paths as much as possible.
- Removing long fur between toes to help prevent ice lumps from forming between the paw pads.
- Soaking paws in lukewarm water after a walk to remove little stones, salt and ice.
Use
ointment or disinfectant to cleanse wounds if a dog damages its foot
pads, Mr. Schnell says. "In order to keep the animal from
immediately licking off treatments you could give them something to
nibble on, such as a safe dog treat.”
Louise
Murray, a veterinarian for the American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, says to never leave a pet alone in a parked
vehicle, because it holds in the cold and can causing a pet to freeze
to death. “On a cold day, a parked automobile can become a freezer
in no time,” Dr. Murray states in a media release.
KC
Theisen, director of pet care issues for the Humane Society of the
United States, says pets must depend on their owners to keep them
safe from serious health risks during winter.
"Animals
rely solely on their human caregivers for safety and
comfort—especially during the winter months," Theisen states
in a media release. "Our pets are particularly vulnerable during
this frigid season, and with just a few extra precautions you can
help make sure that they stay safe and healthy."
Keep
dogs and cats inside except for frequent, short walks, Theisen
advises. Dogs and cats are social animals who crave human
companionship and enjoy spending time indoors with family.
Mr.
Crowe says many dogs spend less time outside in winter because of
bitter cold and snow, so owners should plan to do more inside
activities to help their companions from getting lethargic or hyper.
The
best way to keep a dog active or to use his excess energy is to make
him think, according to Mr. Crowe. Providing 10 to 15 minutes of
training once or twice daily on basics such as sit, stay, come and
walking on leash will energize a lethargic dog and cause the hyper
dog to be more tired.
Bark
Busters offers these winter safety tips:
- Keep dogs inside when the temperature falls below 20 degrees; puppies, smaller dogs and older dogs should not be left outdoors when the temperature falls below 40 degrees.
- Put a sweater on a short-haired dog when he goes outside, because he can become immediately chilled after leaving a warm house.
- Older, arthritic dogs inside should not be left outside under any circumstances. Use a leash to escort older dogs outside for toileting to avoid falls and injuries.
- Wipe your dog’s feet after a walk in the snow to remove ice and salt deposits from the road. Salt irritates a dog’s paws and can be toxic if ingested. Use only pet-safe ice melt.
- Watch for signs of frostbite and injury, especially on susceptible areas like ears, paws and tails. Initially, frostbitten tissue may appear pale or gray, and the area will be cold and hard to the touch. As the area thaws, it may become red and within days the tissue will start to appear black. If you suspect frostbite, bring your dog into a warm location and soak the affected area in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes and contact a veterinarian.
- Watch for sign of hypothermia, which include shivering, lethargy, low heart rate and unresponsiveness. If you suspect hypothermia, bring the dog into a warm area, place a light blanket over him and call a veterinarian.
- Make certain that all antifreeze containers are locked away and out of reach of dogs, and thoroughly clean any spills immediately. Dogs like the sweet taste of antifreeze, which can cause sickness or death if ingested.
- Keep dogs inside during a snowstorm, because a dog can lose its ability to scent and can go astray. A loose dog can also fall through ice or get hit by a vehicle, especially since icy roads make it harder for cars to stop.
- Make certain that your companion's doghouse meets certain minimum criteria if he stays outside. A doghouse needs to be raised a couple of inches off the frozen ground or concrete; needs cedar shavings or straw, which should be changed frequently to keep a dog warm and dry; and needs a flap on the door. Do not use blankets, which get wet from snow and will chill your dog.
- Use a plastic water bowl so a dog’s tongue does not get stuck to cold metal.
- Alter the amount of food your dog gets depending on activity level. An active dog will burn more calories in the cold and needs about 10 percent more food. A less active, indoor dog needs less food.
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More reports about dogs and safety
This common activity can injure - even kill - your pet
Living room item cause most pet injuries
In emergency, your pet's survival depends on you
No ID means death for 800,000 pets a year
Protect your pet from theft and torture
Pets capable of swallowing strange objects
Ways to keep pets safe in storms, disasters
The Ruff Report's dogs and safety Home Page
The
ASPCA offers these tips for regarding cats:
- Keep your cat inside, because felines can easily freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
- Outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
The Ruff Report is a column that appears on MySetterSam.com,
a blog written by Joseph A. Reppucci, a retired editor from The Patriot
Ledger in Quincy, Massachusetts. Mr. Reppucci worked as a reporter and editor on major daily
newspapers in the Boston area for more than 30 years. He is the author
of the book, The Hunt of Her Life,
a heartwarming story about his once-in-a-lifetime rescue dog. Find it on Amazon.com.
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