Petorama: As the temperatures drops...

Ask Yvette

As the temperatures drops throughout our region, remember that cats andd dogs are also affected by the cold. Here are a few common things to remember to help keep your animal safer.

Many breeds of dog and cat are not suited to life in the cold. Make sure that your pet has adequate protection from the elements. You can find boots and coats on the market that can help keep pets warm during walks.

Wash and dry your pet's paws off when they come into the house, as well as any other areas that have become wet from outdoor walks. Their coats and paws can pick up salt and other chemicals. These items can dry a pet's skin and cause pain. Some chemicals can cause illness and death when ingested.

Watch out for items such as antifreeze. Animals are drawn to the sweet and ingest it, which can be deadly.

Cats often like to curl up in warm areas, including under the hoods of vehicles. If there are outdoor cats in your neighborhood, rap on the hood as you get into the vehicle. Give the cat a chance to get out before starting your engine.

Water is essential and in winter it freezes. Although I don't recommend leaving an animal outside in the elements, for those people that do, you MUST make sure the animal has access to thawed drinking water.

Animals require adequate shelter from the elements. If it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for many household pets. It is not okay to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle during cold weather, and it is not acceptable to leave them in a place that does not allow them to get warm. Find a heated area and let your pet have access. It is better to allow the animal access to a sheltered and warm area such as a garage 24/7 rather than moving them from indoor and outdoor locations.

If you have decided to build a pet house, you will likely need to use bedding. Remember that snow clinging to an animal's coat will get the bedding wet. You will need to change it regularly. With all the extra work involved, why not give the animal an indoor location in the first place?

Change your schedule to accommodate animals who do not tolerate the cold well. For some animals, a brief trip in frigid temperatures is excruciating. This can make life for puppies, elderly animals and those with short coats difficult. House training can become problematic. Take an extra couple short excursions to allow your pet adequate breaks. Go with the animal. If you are cold in your winter gear, your pet is likely cold too. Some dogs, especially the young do not know when to call it quits. For those that want a little fun, teach a pet to ring a bell to go outside. This allows them to communicate their need to go without barking or scratching at the door. Instructions are available on my website at www.awesomedogs.ca under the resources tab.

Supervise your animal and use a leash. Animals do not know that icy ponds may lie ahead, endangering both you and the animal.

Finally, adjust your animal's diet so they get enough calories to cope with the cold.

Use common sense, and plan some indoor fun when the weather becomes extreme. There are many games such as fetch that can help burn up the extra energy.

<< Previous | Next >>

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

Yvette has 2 dogs of her own, KIKI and KAYA. Take a look...