The Humane Society of Indianapolis is reminding everyone about the danger the cold weather can pose to pets.
According to The Weather Channel and American Animal Hospital Association, cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for extended periods of time, thinking that all animals are adapted to live outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your animal warm and safe.
- ?Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the mercury drops. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you?re cold enough to go inside, they probably are too.
- ?If you absolutely must leave them outside for a significant length of time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of non-frozen water.
- ?Some animals can remain outside safely longer in the winter than others. In some cases, it?s just common sense: long-haired breeds like Huskies will do better in cold weather than short-haired breeds like Dachshunds. Cats and small dogs that have to wade shoulder-deep in the snow will feel the cold sooner than larger animals.
- ?Your pet?s health will also affect how long she can stay out. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances can compromise a pet?s ability to regulate her own body heat. Animals that are not generally in good health shouldn?t be exposed to winter weather for a long period of time.
- ?Cats will curl up against almost anything to stay warm?including car engines. Cats caught in moving engine parts can be seriously hurt or killed. Before you turn your engine on, check beneath the car or make a lot of noise by honking the horn or rapping on the hood.
- ?If you live near a pond or lake, be very cautious about letting your rambunctious dog off the leash. Animals can easily fall through the ice, and it is very difficult for them to escape on their own.
- ?If you light a fire or plug in a space heater to keep your home toasty warm, remember that the heat will be as attractive to your pets as to you. As your dog or cat snuggles up to the warmth, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces. Pets can either burn themselves or knock a heat source over and put the entire household in danger.
- ?Pets that go outside can pick up rock salt, ice, and chemical ice melts in their foot pads. To keep your pet?s pads from getting chapped and raw, wipe her feet with a washcloth when she comes inside. This will also keep her from licking the salt off her feet, which could cause an inflammation of her digestive tract.
- ?Be particularly gentle with elderly and arthritic pets during the winter. The cold can leave their joints extremely stiff and tender, and they may become more awkward than usual.
- ?Go ahead and put that sweater on Princess, if she?ll put up with it. It will help a little, but you can?t depend on it entirely to keep her warm. Pets lose most of their body heat from the pads of their feet, their ears, and their respiratory tract.
Winter can be a beautiful time of year. It can be a dangerous time as well, but it certainly doesn?t have to be. If you take some precautions, you and your pet can have a fabulous time taking in the icicles, the snow banks, and the warm, glowing fire at the end of the day.
Source: http://fox59.com/2012/12/26/indyhumane-offers-tips-to-keep-pets-safe-during-blizzard/
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