With the winter months fast approaching, it's important that you are aware of how to keep your pet safe and healthy during the changing weather conditions. This is especially important if you have recently adopted a cat or dog this summer and have never had a pet before. Here are four tips to help you keep your pet safe this winter season:
- Don't be Ashamed of the Dog Sweater: If you have a small dog, you should never be ashamed to put a dog sweater on them. It may seem like a silly thing to do, but it does help keep your small dog warm. Smaller dogs cannot tolerate the cold as well as larger dogs can and will need to be kept extra warm during the winter. By putting on a sweater on your dog, you can allow them to stay outside for a longer period of time if you need them to be.
- Use Your Car Safely: During the winter season, cats love to sleep underneath cars near the warmth from the engine. Because of this, you will want to be sure that you give any cat that is near your car a quick scare so that they run away and you don't end up running them over when you start your car and drive away. You can do this by either honking your horn or making some kind of loud noise that would grab their attention. You also want to be sure that, if you are bringing your dog along with you to run errands, you never leave them in the car. Even in the winter months this is dangerous because of the chance of them freezing to death.
- Consider More Rapid Arthritis Treatments: If your pet suffers from arthritis, it can become aggravated during the winter season. Because of this, you may want to speak to your vet about signing your pet up for more treatments than they usually receive during the rest of the year.
- Wash Your Pet's Paws: When your pet returns from being outdoors, it's important to wipe down their paws. This is especially important for your dogs who cannot easily digest the salt that is laid out on the roads during this time of year. If they lick their paws, there is a chance of this salt getting into their system.
By knowing some tips for keeping your pet safe this winter season, you can be sure that you both enjoy this time of year warm, healthy, and happy. If you have questions or concerns, visit an animal hospital like Earlysville Animal Hospital.
