Cold Weather Tips

Christmas time is near and the clinic is slowing.  More and more people are starting to concentrate on festivities and less on preventative care. This doesn’t mean we don’t see the ill and emergent cases, but the annual wellness exams and other general preventative care does slow till after the new year. Our boarding of course picks up significantly.  We will be full till mid January and I have a little more time to play with these dogs and cats, instead of poking them with needles.  It’s my little gift for the holiday.

Several clients have been asking about the cold weather and how our pets handle it and when is it too cold for them.  These are a few winter rules to live by:

• Avoid paw exposure to ice melt – most can be toxic if ingested and caustic to even tough pads. If you do have some exposure, simply wash those paws to remove the material.
• Grooming. Now I don’t advise too much clipping of the coat in winter, but you should continue to keep the longer coats goomed and brushed. Consider clipping long hair on the bottom webbing of the paws to keep ice and snow from accumulating.
• Small and Toy breeds as well as short coated dogs should consider jackets and even boots to avoid too much exposure.
• Frostbite can occur within minutes in subzero temps to exposed skin especially ears, toes, and scrotum so avoid long exposure outside for those pets more prone (thinner coats, prick ears, etc.)
• Shelter. For those dogs that stay predominately outside, they need shelter from the cold, which in my opinion, would be more than just a simply dog house.  I would want something well insulated or have some heat source (heat lamp, etc) to protect the pet and keep water bowls from freezing.

Every pet will of course have different needs, but common sense should prevail in protecting those four legged family members. I hope everyone has a great holiday.