 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
 |
  |
 |
 |
||||||||
|
|
 |
PET TALK NEWSLETTER Volume 10 Pet Tips -------------------------------------Your Submissions
Winter pet care
Now that colder weather is upon us there are a few things you must watch out for in caring for your pets. Keep cats indoors there are no such things as “outdoor” cats in the winter. Cats can’t regulate their body temperatures and will suffer from hypothermia very quickly. Pets need lots of water. Cold weather and winds dehydrate your pet just as they do you. Check it often and insure that the water isn’t frozen. Always check under the hood of your car before starting it on winter days because cat's and other small animals will sleep on the engine to stay warm. Antifreeze and windshield de-icer are killers. The taste is sweet and attracts your pets. They will eat it if not supervised and as little as a teaspoonful can kill. It only takes 4-8 hours for your dog or cat to die so call your vet if you suspect your pet has eaten antifreeze or de-icer. Symptoms are: lack of coordination (looking as though drunk), vomiting, drinking a lot of water as well as frequent urination, and depression. Remember to wipe up any spills and dispose of the rags. Check for leaks under the car and keep your cats and dogs away from the garage or driveway. Wipe your dog’s feet and underbelly with a damp rag to remove any de-icing products that may have been on the street or ground. “Outdoor dogs” need warm (heating lamps work well), dry doghouses, with a door that flaps closed and clean dry straw bedding. When temperatures drop below 20F ALL pets need to come indoors. Puppy dogs, cats, small dogs, and short haired breeds need to come in when it’s below 40F. If your dog is not house-trained put him/her in the garage with a heater. Make sure they can’t knock over or rub against the heating unit. Some dogs may need boots and sweaters in the extreme cold. If you dog stops walking, raises its paws and whines its feet are too cold and hurt, consider boots. Any dog can benefit from the added warmth of a sweater no matter how ridicules it may appear. Indoor dogs get less exercise in the winter so you may want to cut their calorie intake. Outdoor dogs on the other hand, require more calories in order to produce the body heat to stay warm. As in the summer, never leave your cat or dog in the car alone. A car can act as a refrigerator trapping cold air inside causing hypothermia or death. Indoor pets, cats and dogs, need a draft free, warm area to sleep in. Their bed should be slightly raised off the floor.
PET HUMOR (more humor)
-- from the Diary of Puff DAY 752 -
TIP OF THE WEEK
If you travel by plane know that each airline has certain requirements that must be met before your pet can be boarded. Call the airline well in advance and ask them about their requirements, which may be different from airline to airline.
Restrict your pet's food and water 4 hours before departure to minimize his urge to potty. Freeze the water so it will thaw by the time your pet is thirsty but won't splash out during loading or unloading. Consider a mid-week or late-night flight, it usually has fewer passengers.
IN THE NEWS Hurricane Safety for Your Pet Hurricane season is upon us and its time to give thought to the safety of yourself and your pet. Quite often pets are separated from their owners during the storm. It is essential to have a checklist for your pet as well as yourself. Information can change and owners quite often forget to change their pet’s tag. Small pets need a sturdy, well ventilated carrier and larger pets require a strong leash with a muzzle and harness. Remember your pet will be frightened in the storm so a muzzle will prevent biting in case you get separated. Insure that you stock a three day supply of food and water for your pet. Place a water tight bag in the carrier with medications, medical information your vet’s information and a caretaker’s information in case you can’t be reached or become injured. Make arrangements and provide a key to a neighbor in case you aren’t home when the hurricane strikes. Bring in all pets before the weather gets rough this will keep your pets calmer and safe. Have all your supplies in one spot for easy access. Even though these tips and many more in the article were written for hurricanes they apply in all disaster situations so please read this valuable information. Adapted from School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Studies Texas A&M Wenaewe® Never before on the market has a natural , hypoallergenic, holistic, human-grade certified organic pet food been offered to our dogs and cats. No purer food can be purchased today. Let Pet Food Freebies send your free sample today The Pet Food Freebies Team
IBD, IFOAM, USDA, OTA and OIA guarantee Wenaewe® Certified Organic Pet Food: , 98% pure |
 |
| |||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
Copyright Elderpetz.com, a SigTrac, LLC Subsidiary 2007