Sunday 16 December 2018
Winter-Wise Weather Tips for Pets
Manage outdoor activities. The safest, most comfortable place for your pets is where you are. When temperatures dip below freezing or during severe weather, it’s imperative you keep pets indoors with you and make trips outside shorter.
Offer a warm place for your pet to rest inside. A pet bed works perfectly, just make sure it stays clean and dry.
Don’t cut your dog’s fur in the wintertime. Your pet’s winter coat is a natural barrier from the harsh, cold elements.
Consider a canine coat. Dogs with lots of fur probably don’t need an extra layer to go on walks in the winter. But smaller dogs and those with shorter coats may be more comfortable in a dog sweater or jacket.
Check for frostbite. After bathroom breaks and walks, check your pet’s ears, paws and tail for any sign of frostbite or ice and snow build up in the paw pads.
Wipe down after walks. Keep a dry, clean towel handy to wipe down your pet’s legs, belly and paws after each outdoor excursion. Ice-melt chemicals can irritate their skin and cause serious illness if ingested.
Be careful with chemicals. Antifreeze smells and tastes sweet to pets, but it’s toxic to them. Quickly clean up any spills, and consider using a brand made from non-toxic propylene glycol instead.
Keep your pet hydrated. Ensure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. Winter air is dry!
Clear a path. Use a snowthrower to make quick work of snow removal and create a path to your pet’s bathroom area. Always keep kids and pets away from the equipment.
Don’t leave your pet in a cold car. It’s just as dangerous to leave a pet in a cold car during winter months as it is to leave them in a hot car in the summertime.
To learn more about the benefits of “outsider life” for pets and people during all seasons, go to SaveLivingLandscapes.com and TurfMutt.com.
About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) Research and Education Foundation and has reached more than 68 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt is an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat is featured in the 2017 and 2018 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.
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These are some wonderful ideas! You most definitely need to make sure your pet is looked after in the winter, some balm for paws, making sure you wash away salt and a coat is a must for walks.
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ReplyDeleteI do not have a dog and maybe I can not understand this guide, but it's useful for a near future because I want to take it!
These are some wonderful tips! I have 2 dogs and never thought that ice melt chemicals could bother their paws!
ReplyDeleteCaring for a pet is very much similar to a child. No wonder people with pets are just as protective and loving as any other parent.
ReplyDeleteI'm a dog lover and these activities sound so much fun! I'll gladly share this with my dog-lover friends :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad that some people aren't attentive to their pet's needs in the wintertime. These are great ways to keep your pets warm and comfortable in colder weather.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips for keeping your dog safe and warm in the winter. I hate to see people leave their dogs outside. I always wipe my puppies paws down and also put salve on them to keep them soft so they don't crack and get brittle from our walks.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips for keeping your dog safe and warm in the winter. I hate to see people leave their dogs outside. I always wipe my puppies paws down and also put salve on them to keep them soft so they don't crack and get brittle from our walks.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for dogs who are trimmed up during the winter. It is so cold here in Newfoundland too, poor things!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about pets getting frostbite. These are great tips for pet owners for the wintertime with them!
ReplyDeleteYes to the chemicals. It's amazing what a pet will find tempting to taste!! Our cat recently licked out of our box of Borax (we were making slime) and I was so worried, lol. She was fine but I learned to keep the lid tight.
ReplyDeletePeople need to keep pets indoors and watch out for ice melt. Not to mention paw pads.
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely amazing list of tips and advice! I think every pet owner should read this and know these things!
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