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Cold Weather Tips It’s that time of year when we need to get ourselves accustomed to the changes in the weather. Not only for us, but also for our pets. Winter brings the need for additional precautions. In our pet’s eyes, the lights shine with their bright colors and especially the ones that blink on and off or those ones called chasers. There are the decorations—like tinsel on your tree that really sparkles when intertwined with the lights and the metal hooks that hold up our treasured glass ornaments. There are the smells from the kitchen, when our holiday feast is being prepared. All these things can cause potential health problems for your pets. I know how hard it is when you see your best friend(s) just begging. Those eyes and the whimpering that takes place, you think, well okay, here is a treat. You think that would do it but the begging continues. You then give a bone to “Taco” so he will leave you alone while you finish preparing the rest of the holiday feast. That's when the trouble begins. Pieces of bone can become caught in his throat or cause internal health problems. Then the phone rings, and it’s the flower delivery company wanting to verify your address as they have a holiday arrangement for you. It’s the ever-lasting Christmas Poinsettia. Oh, they come in all kinds of colors like red, white, pink and I have seen some that are variegated. No matter how tempting, do not put your holiday arrangements at pet level. As before, the colors are beautiful and in our pet(s) eyes and tummy they are very delicious. But again, Toxic!! Those little extras like anti-freeze (for our cars). Oh the smell is heavenly and the taste is oh so sweet but this is very poisionous. The salt that we use, so we don’t slip and fall, to help us be able to maneuver through the ice and snow. Well you know what it does to our boots and our rugs when we track through the house. Can you imagine what it does to the pads of our pet(s) feet? Please wash your pet(s) paws after coming in from the outside. Better yet, there are products that you can purchase that still help us to get around outside in the ice and snow and are very safe for your pet(s) paws. Then the guests start to arrive. Bringing presents wrapped in beautiful paper and tied with ribbons and bows. Oh how my pets love to play with the ribbon. (I then realize how much they played with it the following day when we go out for our walks). I look down in amazement at the bright colors. Hmmmm. But again, holiday wrappings can cause many internal problems in your pets. The guests are also bringing boxes of chocolate — oh how I love CHOCOLATE and so do my pets. But again, Chocolate is toxic to our pets. Maybe since I know this I won’t eat quite as much from now on. Then just before we sit down to eat, you realize that you ran out of a very important food item. Yes there are some stores that are open on Christmas so you look at “Taco” and say “Do you want to go for a car ride?” You go and start your car to get it warmed up and then you remember that you let “Kitty” out for a few minutes. Please check for the whereabouts of Kitty as the engine will be warm (and our pets do like areas that are kept very warm) before you take off for the store. Then you and “Taco” head off in the car. You get to the store and then you tell “Taco” that you will only be a minute and will be right back. You turn off the car — hey, “Taco” will be okay. The car was really warm on the way to the store. Again, with all the holiday bustle, Christmas carols, etc, you forget how quickly the car cools down. If you have sat in a cold car you know how cold it can get. Your car acts like a refrigerator and will keep the cold in. Just think of summer and how hot it gets inside your vehicle. In closing, just remember a few things. If you need to keep your pet(s) outside for a period of time please make sure that you have supplied him/her with enough food (extra during the winter months), blankets to keep warm and shelter from the elements, and always check on the water. It will freeze in a very short time. If you’re cold outside then your pet is probably cold too. If you have any questions at all regarding your pet(s) during this winter season, please call your Veterinarian.
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