Winter/ Holiday 2020 Tips for pets

 


With winter fast approaching, here are some tips to help keep your pets safe and healthy: 

Check your pets paws frequently for signs of cold weather injuries which include cracked paw pads or bleeding

After every walk, be sure to wipe down your dogs paws of any ice or salt that could have gotten in between their paws. Another solution to this could be to get booties for their feet. This will help with salt and ice, and minimize wiping down their paws. If they have a short coat, one thing to consider would be a sweater or coat (can be purchased at at any supercenter chain or pet store). 

Be sure their collars are up to date with the most recent information, such as address and cell phone number. Pets can get lost at any time of the year, ice and snow can hide recognizable smells that once was able to guide them home. Microchipping is one way of permanent means of identification and could be used with a collar to get the pet back home safely. (call us for more information on microchipping).

Avoid ice when out on walks. Especially areas that are usually lakes.

It is not recommended to keep pets outdoors for longer periods of time during the winter. If not possible, provide shelter with access to warmer areas against wind and access to non-frozen water (keep changing out water before it freezes or use a warmer). 

The holidays are usually the time pet parents and friends like to give pets food they're consuming, however, some foods we consume during this time are very fatty to them. Giving them foods we consume during the holidays can lead to gastroenteritis (inflammation of the intestines, usually shown by diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and fever, please contact your vet if any of these symptoms occur) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, usually diagnosed through blood test). If you notice any of these, please call your vet. 

If you celebrate with a Christmas tree, ensure it is secure and do not add aspirin, sugar or other additives to the water. If added, and in a place reachable by pets, this can be toxic and harmful. 

Cats can not resist playing with ribbons and tinsel, but these decorations can cause serious intestinal obstructions for our feline friends. 

Mistletoe and holly are moderately toxic to pets when ingested, pointsettias can cause mild oral irration, and lillies can cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats. 


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