Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.
Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during snow —dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth.
When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housetrain during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
Thanks to the American RSPCA for their valuable advise.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Monday, 21 December 2009
Snow is a nightmare for outdoor animals
Don't forget your pets in this snowy weather.
Make certain they rabbits have plenty of bedding, unfrozen water bottles and plenty of fresh food. Also be sure to keep them out of the wind.
Even cover their hutch to keep in warmth and prevent driving/drifting snow from getting in.
Wrap their water bottles in a towel and bubbl.e wrap to be certain it doesn't freeze - but most importantly make certain that they have fresh water. You may have to change the water on a regular basis or even put a small dish with water in it - again be certain that it does not freeze over.
Horses too need to be protected - fed, watered and kept warm with a blanket or horse wrap.
Dogs kept outside also need pampering. Don't forget them. Clean them out - make certain their dog house is kept out of the wind; use lots of old bedding to keep them warm; make certain their water doesn't freeze over either. Amd of course make sure they have food and that it too, has not frozen over.
Wild birds need fresh water and food - if you get chance top up a container of water and make sure it is kept ice free. The birds will be grateful.
If you suspect any animal of neglect or ill treatment contact the RSPCA they will not disclose your details. You could make the life of an animal in distress happier.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May 2010 be one of happiness, good health and joy to all.
Make certain they rabbits have plenty of bedding, unfrozen water bottles and plenty of fresh food. Also be sure to keep them out of the wind.
Even cover their hutch to keep in warmth and prevent driving/drifting snow from getting in.
Wrap their water bottles in a towel and bubbl.e wrap to be certain it doesn't freeze - but most importantly make certain that they have fresh water. You may have to change the water on a regular basis or even put a small dish with water in it - again be certain that it does not freeze over.
Horses too need to be protected - fed, watered and kept warm with a blanket or horse wrap.
Dogs kept outside also need pampering. Don't forget them. Clean them out - make certain their dog house is kept out of the wind; use lots of old bedding to keep them warm; make certain their water doesn't freeze over either. Amd of course make sure they have food and that it too, has not frozen over.
Wild birds need fresh water and food - if you get chance top up a container of water and make sure it is kept ice free. The birds will be grateful.
If you suspect any animal of neglect or ill treatment contact the RSPCA they will not disclose your details. You could make the life of an animal in distress happier.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May 2010 be one of happiness, good health and joy to all.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Lonely this Christmas
Chritmas is an exciting time for most people. But for many pets it is a lonely time when their owners neglect them - often this is not intentional it's just because Christmas generates lots of different activities that are not pet related. And the pets that suffer the most are the ones out of site like rabbits in hutches, or others that are caged or outdoors.
While Christmas is for people - pet owners need to make time for your pets - whatever they are are. And it is easy to do.
Simply set aside "quality" time for your pet. It is better to be brief and regular rather than spending long times without interacting.
Remember animals too suffer from loneliness. There is nothing more disturbing than seeing an animal that has lost the sparkle in its' eyes.
While Christmas is for people - pet owners need to make time for your pets - whatever they are are. And it is easy to do.
Simply set aside "quality" time for your pet. It is better to be brief and regular rather than spending long times without interacting.
Remember animals too suffer from loneliness. There is nothing more disturbing than seeing an animal that has lost the sparkle in its' eyes.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Cold weather advice for pet owners
Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.
1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or
killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies,
from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor
is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your
area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to
escape.
3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can
lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during
any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow
or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking
his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more
warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him
before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or
sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.
For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a
refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak
during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to
paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type,
take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food,
particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up
any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol
rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more
information.
10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all
drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
This advice comes via ASPCA in the US but it offers lots of common sense and practical advice to all pet owners.
1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or
killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies,
from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor
is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your
area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to
escape.
3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can
lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during
any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow
or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking
his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more
warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him
before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or
sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.
For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a
refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak
during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to
paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type,
take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food,
particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up
any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol
rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more
information.
10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all
drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
This advice comes via ASPCA in the US but it offers lots of common sense and practical advice to all pet owners.
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