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Cold Weather Hints for Pet Owners
Submitted by, Jeannine Haffner

As a member of Pet Sitters International, a wonderful organization for professional pet sitters, I am lucky enough to receive lots of helpful information regarding all aspects of pet care. As the temperatures dip into the seriously freezing zone, it is so important to consider how seasonal changes affect your pets.
Here are some ‘Cold Weather Hints’ for pet owners compliments of Rock the Boat Pet Care.

Skin & Coat Conditioning

Inspect Paws Regularly to check for cracked pads, broken nails or snow and ice damage.
Brush the coat regularly to distribute natural oils to the skin.
Supply Winter paw protection, such as shoes or booties.

Winterize Pet Shelters

Add straw as insulation to doghouses. For outdoor cats, provide a snug, warm bed that does not sit directly on the cold ground or concrete.
Watch for antifreeze leaks-they can be deadly to pets!
For indoor animals, use protective screens around fireplaces and maintain supervision in the area.
Install carbon monoxide detectors for the safety of your family and pets.
Keep the temperature level. Animals are more sensitive to temperature changes than we are.

Frostbite

Frostbite most frequently affects ears, toes, tail, scrotum and areas least covered by fur.
Signs of frostbite include red or swollen areas or skin that is very pale and white.
To treat frostbite, immerse the area in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Never use hot water! Check with your veterinarian.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when a pet has been exposed to very cold temperatures and/or winds for an extended period of time.
Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, low body temperature, stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.
To treat hypothermia, the pet’s body temperature must be raised. Surround the pet in hot water bottles or warm towels or immerse in room temperature water and slowly add warmer water.
Try to get the animal to drink warm liquids. Call your veterinarian.

Winterize Your Pet

Provide extra food, as some pets have increased appetite during cold-weather months.
Use sweaters, raincoats, hats, and paw protection such as shoes or booties.
Buy heated water bowls for outdoor pets.
Consider using heated beds for extreme cold weather.
Keep nails trimmed regularly. It is difficult to maintain solid footing with long nails in icy conditions.

You will surely warm the hearts of your beloved pet friends if you follow these tips!

Submitted by:
Jeannine Haffner
Rock the Boat Pet Care
Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
(847) 504-6141

Archived Past Articles
- Cold Weather Hints for Pet Owners 01/07
- What to Look for in a Pet Sitter - 02/07
- Pamper Your Pet -03/07
- Dogs Get Anxious Too! - 04/07