Winter challenging for animal care

[IceyBlueSibes]

Winter challenging for animal care

Sun-Times News Group


December 11, 2006



A few simple precautions will keep pets healthy and happy through the cold and snowy winter, according to PAWS Chicago, the city's largest no-kill humane society.

Cats should always be kept indoors -- especially during dangerous winter weather.

It is more important than ever that dogs be indoors or on a leash at this time of year, when the snow-covered terrain can cause them to become disoriented and lost.

Limit your dog's exposure to bitterly cold temperatures and wind chill. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks.

Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can be irritating, and can become lodged in dogs' paws along with ice and packed snow. Wipe your dog's paws with a warm, damp cloth when you come inside, and apply Vaseline to foot pads to sooth irritated paws. Boots can keep a dog's paws warm and dry and protect them from the harmful effects of salt and de-icers.

Antifreeze is sweet and appealing to animals, but deadly poisonous. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach. Better yet, use antifreeze coolant made with propylene glycol, which will not harm your pet if swallowed in small amounts.

Warm engines in parked cars attract small animals, who may crawl under the hood. To avoid injuring hidden animals, bang on the hood to scare them away before starting the engine.

Never leave your pet unattended in a car during cold weather.

If it is necessary to keep dogs outside for even a short period of time, they must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse just large enough to allow the animal to sit and lie down comfortably, with a raised floor covered with cedar shavings or straw and have access to fresh, unfrozen water. Dogs who spend any time outdoors in the winter may need more food, as keeping warm depletes energy.

Probably the best prescription for winter's woes is to keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family, according to PAWS Chicago, where your pet will be the happiest. Dogs and cats are social and crave human companionship.