• By Karin Burnette
• Posted Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Cold Weather is Coming! Protect Your Pets!!

Cold Weather is coming!

If you are cold, your outside pet is cold too!

Here are some tips on keeping your outside pet warm and healthy for the winter:

­Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

Consider getting your short­haired breed a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers the dog from the base of the tail on the top to the belly underneath. This may seem like a luxury; however, to some breeds it is a necessity.

Adult dogs tolerate the cold much better than puppies. If necessary, paper train your puppy inside if he appears to be sensitive to the weather.

Increased food, particularly protein, will help keep your dog's fur thick and healthy. This is particularly important if your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities.

Coolant, like antifreeze, is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be careful to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. Leave the coat longer for more warmth. When you bathe your dog, completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.