When a hot cup of cocoa becomes your favourite go-to beverage, surely, the winter season has arrived. The clean and vivid smell, decadence and feasting, winter woollies and beautiful views make winters an amazing season. No matter how freezing cold it is, no living being should ever forget to celebrate this weather. You take winter care tips for yourself seriously, now it is time for you to focus on your four-footed family member.
Since winters can pose serious perils to your pet’s health, you should never overlook their need of shelter from winter’s nasty weather conditions. To help your pet survive this weather while still enjoying it, there are a few things that you should know:
There are many unpleasant situations that your pets face in winters such as exposure to the season’s dry, cold air; frosty rain showers, sleet and snow leading to chapped paws and itchy, peeling skin; winter walks becoming downright unsafe if chemical compounds from ice-melting agents are licked off or absorbed into naked paws, etc. To comfort your furry friend from cold weather threats, please take a look at the following guidance:
Cold Weather Safety Tips for Your Dog
Just like humans, canines have variable degrees of forbearance when it comes to extreme temperatures. However, if they are exposed to harsh weather conditions, even the dogs from the hardiest breeds become vulnerable tohypothermia and frostbite . Here are a few precautions to take for the health of your canine.
• Continue with your dogs normal exercise routine even during the colder months. Lack of exercise can cause more then just weight gain, your dog can lose muscle tone and mass, their connective tissues can become weak or tight leading to torn ligaments, they can also become hyperactive, bored and misbehaved.
• If your furry family member has even mild arthritis, joint pain or stiffness, these conditions will likely worsen during the winter. Take special care to keep him/her warm during the cold months, find a good joint care supplement, and ensure you continue to visit your vet on a regular basis.
• If your pooch belongs to a short haired breed such as Greyhounds, Miniature Pinschers, Chihuahuas or Whippets, you should look at getting him/her a doggie jacket for times when he/she is outdoors. Short haired dogs do not have the same protection as their longhaired friends so an extra layer in the form of clothing is a smart choice.
• During icy weather you should supervise your canine when he/she is outdoors, slipping on an icy surface can cause massive trauma to joints and prevent the dog from being able to return to a warm or safe place. Ensure that the shelter you provide for your dog is dry and warm enough to keep them protected.
• Your dog’s paws, ears and tail are susceptible to frostbite during the winter months. A dog’s body is normally able to regulate temperature by conserving or producing extra heat, however on especially cold days the amount of heat loss will be more than their body can compensate for; as with humans, when faced with cold the body begins to protect important systems (like the brain, liver and lungs) at the expense of peripheral areas (like paws, ears and tails). Monitor your dog when he/she is outside, if they are shivering, showing lack of co-ordination, or becoming lethargic they may be suffering from hypothermia. If they refuse to walk, keep trying to lift their paws off the ground, or begin to cry or vocalize pain, their paws may be at risk of becoming frostbitten.
• While walking outside, the snow on the road can disguise hazardous objects that can cause harm to a dogs paws. So when your pooch returns home, thoroughly check for any cuts or scratches. Trim any extra fur in between their toes to prevent snow and ice build up, and keep sharp objects from getting embedded.
Feline and Chilly Weather
When the temperature dips, it is imperative to safeguard your cats from the cold spell and to keep them indoors if possible. Though felines are well adapted to handle cold temperatures, even they can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite, in cold weather they will seek a warm place to shelter in, so if you cannot bring them inside, build them a heated outdoor shelter to keep them warm and safe.
In cases of hypothermia, the body temperature of your cat can fall below normal, which will be further followed by stiff muscles, slow heartbeat and no response to stimuli. In such a condition, you must take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
In case your cat gets frostbite, you should remember never to rub the frozen tissues; else further tissue damage can be caused. Taking your cat to the vet immediately is the best thing to do. If this is not possible, then you should warm the affected area with moist bath towels. Subsequently, when the affected tissues become flushed, you must withdraw the warming process, dry the area and gently cover it with a sterile, dry, non-adhering bandage.
For offering more protection to the little members of the Tiger family, supplement their food with essential fatty acids that supply the coat enough nutrition for the winters. Feed a diet, which is enriched with protein, vitamin E and B-complex. The ideal way to secure your cats from icy weather is to keep them indoors most of the time.
Finally, to help your dog and cat survive the frostier weather, follow these simple guidelines and keep them happy and healthy throughout the winter season. For better hygiene and care, you can buy pet supplements , such asimmunity booster, urinary defense , wild salmon oil, etc. from Pet-Tek Distribution.