Let’s face it, the Minnesota winter cold is not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s not only hard on our bodies, but on our pet’s bodies as well. Did you know that your pet’s paws are particularly sensitive to the harsh winter cold as well as the salt that they It’s no surprise that we want to do whatever we can to keep our pets comfortable and healthy this winter. We just need to know what we should do in order to do that.
Minnesota Veterinary Hospital is here to help you out with that. Here’s 5 tips to keep your pet happy and healthy.
"¢ Whenever your dog comes in after being out in the cold, be sure to wipe down his or her paws, legs and stomach. You’ll want to get all of the ice, snow, salt and possibly antifreeze off so there’s no chance of them ingesting it. Plus, this will give you a chance to monitor any injuries, cuts, etc that your pet may have gotten from his outside adventures.
"¢ Just like in the summer when you cannot leave your dog in the car, the same goes for winter. Dogs hold the cold inside of their bodies and exposure to the low temperatures for too long can cause them to freeze.
"¢ Antifreeze can be lethal to your pet! Even just a small amount can greatly affect them. Be sure you are being smart about where you are keeping your antifreeze and if there is any chance of it being on the ground of your driveway or garage, be sure it is completely removed before your pet goes into that area. Should you think that your pet may have had exposure to antifreeze, call our clinic immediately. Signs of antifreeze poisoning are listed here: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/antifreeze/
"¢ In the winter, your pet requires more food and winter. All that time out in the cold depletes their energy faster. Be sure you account for this when feeding them. Ask one of our veterinarians at Minnesota Veterinary Clinic if your pet's diet needs to be adjusted for this change in season and temperature.
"¢ Finally, enjoy the winter! While you do need to take precautions, that doesn’t mean you can’t spend some quality time outdoors with your pet. Just be sure you are doing so smartly.