Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

This winter seems to be never-ending, with many of us getting unexpected snow yet again this weekend.  That got Eco Lassie thinking about the special needs of our pets in this prolonged winter season.

Pet owners should be aware that dogs and cats can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite.  The latter affects the ears, tail and paws the most.  If your pet is a house pet, allow bathroom breaks and play time outside in measured amounts of time.  Be aware that wind chill lowers the temperature.  Dogs with larger frames and longer coats will naturally be able to stand being outside in the cold (and some seem to love it!) far better than their smaller, shorter haired compatriots.

Frostbitten skin gets highly reddened or turns grey.  If you suspect your pet has gotten frostbite, gently warm the affected area with moist warm towels and call your vet.  Never rub the area to get circulation back as this can cause tissue sloughing.

If your pet just likes to romp outside and comes inside wet and snowy, be sure to wipe and dry his paws.  Even dogs who enjoy cold weather can be subject to cracks in their paw pads.  Keep the hair between toes and under the feet trimmed, and if pads appear dry or cracked you can try one of several commercial paw protector cremes,  available on Amazon. com with  names like Musher and Exel ($10-17).  OR you can do what Eco Lassie does, and rub in good old petroleum jelly.

Remember to up your pet’s calories in this weather to provide extra nutrients, and to check their outside water supply, which freezes easily.  Eating snow is not a good alternative to a pet’s water intake.

In the south where Eco Lassie and her two dogs live, mud is our current problem.  Cold temps and sleeting rain have left large puddles that just call my dogs.  Our Spinone, Radar, especially loves to play in the muddy marshes that surround us.  One way to combat bringing that nasty mud into the house is LL Bean’s Mughog.

Available in two colors for$60, this one lasts and lasts and is made from recycled soda bottles!  It can be easily hosed off in the shower or outside in nicer weather, and channels collect water from wet coats, too.

If your pet is a working breed who prefers to stay outside even in cold weather, be certain his home is draft-free, off the ground several inches, and the bottom is covered with insulating cedar shavings or straw.  (Cedar will repel insects, too.)

Pets will be drawn to your heat sources, so watch long tails near open flames or heater coils.

And remember that cats are particularly drawn to warm car and truck engines if they’re outside.  If you have a cat who lives or roams outside, it’s best in this weather to either slap the hood or honk the horn before driving away.

One last tip: avoid bathing your pet in colder weather unless absolutely needed for oil or grease.  In winter their coats will normally thicken, and they will produce more dander and sometimes dry skin from indoor heating.  So keep up  with your brushing and if you must bathe your pet, use a moisturizing conditioner on her coat after the shampoo is rinsed out.

As you keep your family warm and safe in the next few weeks, remember these tips for your pet!