While winter may be a beautiful time of year, it is also one that can present grave dangers to our canine friends.
Dog owners need to be diligent about monitoring the whereabouts of their pets. If you know where the dog is and what it is doing, the odds of keeping your pet safe are much higher than when you allow the dog to roam the neighborhood freely.
Let us take a look at some of the winter dangers.
One of the most common is the ingestion of antifreeze, which tastes sweet to the dog. A few drops that spill when you are topping it off in the engine or small leaks from the car’s radiator are enough to kill your dog. In fact, death is very common in antifreeze poisoning.
Always keep antifreeze containers sealed tightly and out of the reach of your dog or children. Clean up any spills or leaks immediately and make sure the dog cannot make contact with any spots where the deadly fluid leaked.
Another option is to use antifreeze that does not contain ethylene glycol, the ingredient that makes antifreeze sweet and poisonous.
Freezing temperatures and blustery winds can be fatal to dogs that are left outdoors without protection. The best answer is to keep your dog indoors in freezing weather. However, if that is not possible, make sure you provide a well-insulated doghouse. Face the house so that the door is away from the prevailing winds. Consider covering the doghouse with a material that will not allow wind to enter the canine dwelling.
The size of the doghouse is important. While you may think that a big deluxe model will allow Fido to be more comfortable, it will not. A doghouse should be just big enough so that the dog can lie down, stand up and turn around in it. The smaller house will allow your dog’s body heat to make it comfortable.
If you cannot keep your dog indoors with you, be very cautious when selecting a breed. Dogs with short hair will not fare as well outdoors as canines with a long, thick coat.
When walking indoor dogs that have short hair, consider providing a coat or sweater to help keep them warm and comfortable.
Since keeping warm requires a big expenditure of energy on the dog’s behalf, it is best to provide more food and protein. Feed a high-quality food and consider a heated water dish because dogs can easily become dehydrated in the cold winter weather.
Many dogs suffer from severely dry skin in the winter. The dry air caused by running heaters depletes moisture from the dog’s skin and fur. Dry skin easily leads to excessive biting and hotspots.
In order to combat dry skin in the winter, brush your dog’s coat regularly. It is also good to provide fatty acid supplements to help guard against dry skin conditions. Try to refrain from giving too many baths in the winter. If you do find it necessary to bathe the dog, consider using a dog shampoo that contains oatmeal, which is good for soothing dry skin.
Tongue injuries are very common in cold wintry weather. Do not use metal food or water bowls in cold weather because your dog’s tongue can easily stick to the dishes. When the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, use glass, plastic or ceramic bowls. Beware, some dogs are allergic to plastic.
Beware of taking your dog any place where chemical and salt ice melt products have been spread. The chemicals can cause problems if the dog licks them from their pads. It is a good idea to wash your dog’s feet when you return from a walk in the winter wonderland.
Believe it or not, but frostbite injuries are quite common among our canine friends. Frostbite can occur as a result of short-term exposure to the temperatures below zero. The signs of frostbite include areas of skin that may appear red, gray or whitish in color. This skin will frequently peel.
Prevention of frostbite is important. Remove any ice or snow particles from your dog’s feet and fur immediately. Pay close attention to the areas between the toes. Keep the hair in this area clipped close to the skin to reduce the amount of snow and ice that adheres to longer hair.
Fire is a big danger in the winter months. Dogs can easily tip over space heaters. Make sure your dog cannot access the heater, which should be equipped with an automatic shut off switch in the event it is knocked over. More than one home has burned down as a result of a dog knocking over a space heater, so it is best to refrain from using this type of heating device when you are not at home.
The winter months are an open invitation to arthritis, which is caused by inflamed joints. Watch for signs of limping or having trouble sitting, moving or jumping. There are medications and supplements that can help stave off arthritis. Discuss the possibilities with the dog’s vet.
Winter weather tends to bring more mice and rats indoors. Be very careful about where you place mice and rat poison bait. Consumption by the dog can end in death. The consumption of a mice or rat that died from the poisonous bait can be enough to make your dog very sick too. If you suspect poisoning, contact a veterinarian immediately.
There are four basic kinds of poisons and each can easily kill a dog. They are anticoagulants,
cholecalciferol, bromethalin, and phosphides. Read labels when you shop for the poisonous products. It is also a good idea to keep labels from these products readily available in the event your pet does consume the bait. The more the veterinarian knows, the better the chance that your dog will survive from being poisoned.
Your diligence during the cold winter months will pay off and go a long way in keeping your dog safe and healthy.
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