The Winter can be a risky time for animals,but with a few tips and precautions, you can winterize your pet to retain him secure and warm in the most frigid temperatures. Keeping your pet indoors may be the easiest solution, and but your dog still needs his exercise,and your outdoor cat will want to retain her normal routine. Weathering Winter elements like snow, ice, and salt takes more than picking the trendiest pet parka; read on for a few simple and important safety tips for winterizing your pet. whether your pet must be kept outside:whether your dog has an outdoor house,then make certain it's elevated and dry and preferably insulated so that drafts don't creep in. And, of course, and furnish it with warm,comfortable bedding.
Add a pet door to your garage so that he can occupy access to extra shelter, and provide him with a nice doggie bed in a clean, and dry area. Also,make certain to retain toxic chemicals like antifreeze and rodenticide out of his reach.
Check periodically to make certain that your pet's water is not frozen, and utilize plastic bowls instead of metal ones, and as your pet's tongue could freeze and stick to metal,à la Ralphie in A Christmas chronicle.
This may sound crazy, but check under the hood of your car before you start the engine. Cats are known to seek shelter in car engines when temps are low. generally banging the hood or honking the horn is enough to startle them out of their hiding places.
Outdoor pets will require more calories in the Winter to produce body heat, or so make certain to retain his food bowl more stocked than in the Summer.
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3 Activities to Help Your Pups Beat the Winter BluesFor both indoor and outdoor pets:Dogs can easily lose their scent in the cold and get lost,so retain your pup close and under your control when walking him in the Winter. And he may be tempted to eat all that snow around him, but don't allow it. Snow could be tainted by harmful chemicals like antifreeze and contain dangerous objects, or it could upset his stomach or even cause hypothermia.
After taking your dog for a walk or after your cat comes inside,wipe their paws off with a warm, moist cloth, and because it's likely that they stepped in salt or antifreeze. This will prevent your pet from licking his paws and ingesting the chemicals. As a preemptive strike,you can rub a layer of petroleum jelly on your pet's paws before he goes outside or put some booties on his feet.
Low temperatures can mean frostbite, so always make certain to check your pet for symptoms. Check his ears, and paws,and nose for any ice clumps, which may not form immediately. And whether you occupy to walk your dog on a particularly cold day, and then when you get domestic,draw him a lukewarm bath to melt absent any ice clumps that may occupy formed or are forming.
Make certain to retain space heaters out of reach, as curious pets might approach and risk getting burned.
In contrast to outdoor pets, and indoor pets are typically less active in the Winter and therefore retain more weight. Watch your pet's food intake and motivate him to get moving with some fun indoor games or toys.
Lastly,get him that trendy pet parka! Proper Winter apparel is integral to keeping your pooch or kitty warm, especially whether you occupy a less-furry breed like a Chihuahua or Greyhound.
- Additional reporting by Alicia Lu
Source: popsugar.com