A cozy winter for our pets

Winter provides a lot of fun outdoor activities for us and our pets. Here are a few tips to make sure you and your furry friends enjoy the season safely. 

Food for warmth 

A sufficient amount of quality food will help your dog or cat withstand the winter cold. If your pet spends a lot of time outside, increasing her portions of food will help her produce enough body heat to warm herself up. On the other hand, if your pet tends to exercise less during the winter, consider decreasing her calorie intake to avoid weight gain. In any case, it's important to maintain a regular routine of walks and play. 

Sensitive pads 

Salt and other de-icers used on our roads can irritate your dog's paws. Your dog will appreciate a quick wipe on its pads with a wet cloth after going out. You can also remove the snow or ice between her pads in order to avoid sores. If you notice an irritation on her pads, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly. 

Beware of the cat under your car 

Before starting your car on colder days, it may be a good idea to honk your horn a few times or punch the hood of your car, in case a cat chose to seek shelter and warmth under your car or near the engine.

Watch out for antifreeze 

Although its sweet taste may attract your pets, antifreeze is toxic to them. Make sure the antifreeze in your car doesn't leak and the container is stored so that pets can't reach it. If you suspect your pet might have antifreeze poisoning, call your vet immediately. 

Fur coats 

While your husky may be well equipped to handle the cold, she still has a limit. In smaller breeds, pads and ears may freeze very quickly, so when you go out with your small dog, take shorter walks and provide her with a warm coat and boots. Puppies, older dogs and those with fragile health also need extra protection. 

Cats, on the other hand, usually don't stay outside too long when it's very cold. If you let your cat outside, make sure you'll be around to let her back in shortly. 

In any case, never leave your pet outside unattended for long periods in very cold weather because they may get frostbite or develop hypothermia.

 Frostbite 

Symptoms of frostbite include ice on body and limbs, shivering, reddened tissues, white or grayish tissue, evidence of shock and scaliness of skin. The ears, pads and tail are more frequently affected. The best thing to do in this case is to call your vet. If it's not possible, wrap your pet in warm blankets and apply a warm water bottle to the affected area until the tissues become flushed. It's important not to rub or massage the frozen tissue because this could cause additional damage. 

Hypothermia 

Hypothermia happens when your pet's body temperature gets below 37.5 C. Symptoms include shivering and weakness. In case of hypothermia, give your vet a call. You can also warm your pet with blankets and/or bottles of warm water or a heating pad, which should be wrapped in towels to avoid burning the skin. Continue to monitor your pet's rectal temperature every 15 minutes until it's back to normal (38,5 C). 

For more information about caring for your pet, consult your veterinarian. You can also give us a call at the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle at (819) 326-4059, or visit us 7 days a week, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 355 Demontigny in Ste. Agathe. To see our dogs and cats up for adoption, visit our website at www.spcall.ca.