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Interesting facts on Cats and Dogs
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Cold weather tips for you and your pet .
Keep your cat inside, especially during the dead of
winter. Cats can easily freeze, become lost be stolen, get
hurt, or even get killed outside.
Take your dog outside only for as long it takes him to
relieve himself. Dogs, particularly small, shorthaired breeds
like Chihuahuas and terriers, suffer from the cold despite
their seemingly warm fur coats.
Strongly consider getting your dog a warm sweater for
those cold winter months, particularly if your own a small,
shorthaired breed. Look for a sweater that fits snugly on your
dog's body, especially his vulnerable belly. While it may seem
a luxurious frill, a sweater makes real sense if your dog
shivers in the cold.
Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice,
especially during a snowstorm. Dogs frequently lose their
scent in snow and ice and easily become lost. They may also
panic during a snowstorm and run away. More dogs are lost
during the winter than during any other season.
Never leave your dog alone in a car during cold weather. A
car can act as a refrigerator in the winter. Your dog could
literally freeze to death.
Thoroughly wipe off your dogs legs and stomach when he/she
comes in and out of the rain, snow, or ice. Check his
sensitive footpads, which may be bleeding from snow or ice
encrusted in them. Your dog may also pick up salt and other
chemicals on his feet accidentally. These chemicals could hurt
him if he swallows them while licking his feet.
Increase your pets supply of food, particularly protein,
to keep his fur thick and healthy through the winter months.
Talk to your veterinarian about vitamin and oil supplements.
Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep far away from
all outside drafts and preferably off the floor-such as a
basket or a cardboard box with a warm blanket in it.
Bathe your dog only when necessary. Your dog runs a good
chance of catching a cold anytime he gets wet. If you
absolutely must bathe your dog, have a professional dog bather
do it. Cats do not need to be bathed, but can be if absolutely
necessary.
Never clip your dogs hair in the winter. That way, your
dog will stay as warm as possible even if he looks funny.
Brush your dog daily instead of clipping him. Daily
brushing keeps your pets coat healthy, shiny, clean, and
mat-free.
Wait until spring to train a young puppy to relieve
himself outside. Puppies cannot take the cold well and are
difficult to train outside in the winter. Paper-train him
inside your home in the meantime.
During the winter, cats sometimes sleep under the hood of a
car where it is warm and comfortable. Then, if you start the
motor, the cat could get caught in or flung about by the fan
belt, causing serious injury or even death. To prevent this,
bang loudly on the hood and sides of your car before turning
on the ignition to give the cat a chance to escape.
Antifreeze, even in very tiny doses, is a lethal poison
for dogs and cats. But because of its sweet taste, animals are
attracted to it. Be sure to clean up spills thoroughly.
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EMERGENCY FIRST AID TIPS |
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In an emergency, keep a level head
and quickly get your dog to the veterinarian. Call
first. If your doctor's office is not open, call the
nearest emergency pet clinic. Keep emergency phone
numbers near your telephone.
Unless you have been trained and are absolutely positive
you can administer CPR to your dog, it's best - and
safer - to seek immediate veterinary care. However,
there are some things you can do to help your dog before
you get him to the hospital/clinic as soon as possible:
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Wrap your dog in a heavy towel or blanket to keep
him warm and restrict his movements. Having
assistance would be helpful. |
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Apply a pressure bandage (sterile gauze or a clean
handkerchief) to stem or stop the bleeding of a cut
or bite. |
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Apply cold compress to a burn and gently hold it
there until you get to the veterinary clinic. |
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Do not induce vomiting if you suspect or know your
dog has swallowed a poisonous substance. |
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At any sign of choking (drooling, difficulty
swallowing, pawing at the mouth, gagging), do not
attempt to remove the item. |
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If your dog suffers heatstroke, take him to a cool
spot and sponge him with cold water. Encourage your
dog to drink small amounts of water. |
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If your dog suffers frostbite, place him in a warm
room immediately. Thaw out the frostbitten areas
slowly by applying warm moist towels that are
changed frequently until the area becomes flushed.
Severe frostbite can result in damaged paws and ear
tips, so it is best to let your veterinarian
determine the extent of the damage as soon as
possible. |
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