Winter may be a wonderland for dogs and their owners when a few inches of light snow dust the ground. However, when blizzards strike, severe cold and snow can pose serious health and safety risks for dogs of all species. And according to weather predictions by the National Weather Service and AccuWeather, above-normal snowfall and teeth-chattering temperatures are expected across regions of North America in the first few months of 2019.
To prepare for that, here are a few essential tips to share with your practice staff and pet owners to keep pets winter-safe:
Protect Against Jack Frostbite
Pet paws, like human hands and faces, are susceptible to frostbite. To help prevent this, dog boots in a wide variety of styles are easily found online and in pet stores. In addition to helping tender paws stay dry, dog boots often come with soles, which provide the added benefit of traction in icy conditions.
If your dog doesn’t enjoy wearing boots (or needs time to get used to them), remove caked ice and snow from your dog’s feet as soon as possible. As added protection, make sure to maintain good foot grooming. If your dog has long hair, use a trimmer with a plastic guard to keep the hair between the paw pads short (about even with the pad). This will help prevent icy balls from forming between and around the paw pads, which can be painful for dogs. Also, keep your dog’s nailed trimmed. Long nails force a dog’s paw to splay out, which increases the odds of snow and ice accumulating between paw pads.
Frostbitten skin may appear reddish, gray or white in color, and may become scaly and begin peeling. If you suspect your dog has frostbite, thaw out the affected areas slowly using warm, moist towels, and change the towels frequently. Then contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the extent of the damage.
Salt and Chemical Deicers Can Be Toxic
While more people are using pet-friendly deicers, sidewalks and streets remain scattered with salt and dangerous chemical deicers in winter, and have varying degrees of toxicity for dogs, depending on the ingredients and the amounts ingested.
Chemical deicers containing the antifreeze material ethylene glycol are a deadly poison for dogs. As a standard deicing agent found in antifreeze windshield washer fluid, ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that many pets find irresistible—and it only takes a small amount to cause permanent and fatal damage to their kidneys.
Road salt can cause painful burning to paw pads, and when licked off by your pet, salt can cause irritation and inflammation to the mouth and digestive tract.
After any exposure to salt and chemical deicers, wipe off your pet’s feet with a damp towel. When using chemical deicers on your walkways, driveway or anywhere else around your home, read the labels of products carefully and follow all recommended precautions.
Wind Chill Can Be Deadly
While some breeds are better built than others to withstand cold temperatures, prolonged exposure for dogs to wind chill and cold temperatures can cause fatality from hypothermia, and shorthaired, very young and elderly dogs are at the greatest risk for problems related to cold exposure. So, keep walks and outdoor playtime to a minimum when temperatures drop. Dog jackets can help pets stay warmer for longer in winter weather, but even so. Don’t wait until your dog starts shivering before realizing it’s time to head back indoors.
If your dog must live outdoors, an insulated doghouse is a must as protection against the elements. If you don’t have a doghouse, building one in winter obviously isn’t the optimal time to start. So, here are some essentials when planning your project.
A doghouse should be elevated a few inches from the ground to prevent moisture from accumulating inside. Carpeting, a blanket or a padded bed should cover the floor. A doghouse should be big enough for a dog to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably, but small enough to contain body heat. The doorway should face away from the prevailing winds, with burlap or canvass hung over the opening to act as a door.
Outdoor Dogs Need More Calories
Just as fireplaces need more logs in winter to keep a house warm, outdoor dogs need more calories in winter to stay warm. To best ensure your dog’s food intake is meeting its energy requirements, speak with your veterinarian about dietary recommendations.
Adequate water is just as important to an outdoor dog’s health. Although people commonly associate dehydration to hot temperatures, cold temperatures can equally cause dehydration. Check your dog’s water supply frequently to make sure it doesn’t freeze. Also, use plastic bowls. In cold temperatures, a dog’s warm, wet tongue can stick and freeze to metal dishes.
