explore
Dog Gallery
Cat Gallery
Small Animals
Local Shelters
Past Events

resources
Bookstore
Links!
Pet Friendly
Business

P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

Saturday, December 10, 2000. From the American Humane Association
Winterizing Your Pet

A little extra care in cold weather goes a long way for your pet.

When the temperature (and snow) begins to fall, you'll find that your pet needs a little extra care from you. Here are some points to remember this winter:

• Cats and dogs need protection from wet and cold, whether they get it inside your house or inside their own. Cats are best kept inside when it gets cold, as are most small and short haired dogs. An outdoor dog needs a dry, elevated dog house with clean, dry bedding and a flap over the opening to keep drafts out. Or consider adding a dog door to your garage with a soft cushion in the warmest corner.
• A bowl of frozen water can't help a thirsty pet. Check outdoor water bowls often when its below freezing, and break the ice or refill with water as necessary.
• Outdoor dogs need more calories in the winter to produce body heat, so increase the amount you feed your pet. On the other hand, indoor dogs and cats may get less exercise in the cold months, and will need fewer calories to avoid weight gain.
• Chemicals used to melt snow on sidewalks can irritate a pet's paws, so you may need to wipe them with a wet cloth after an outing. Dogs outside in the snow may need the ice between their paws removed.
• Antifreeze tastes good to pets, but it is a deadly poison! The most likely source of the poison is the radiator drainage spots on your garage floor, which should be flushed with water immediately.
• A cat may crawl up under your car seeking shelter and warmth near the engine. It may get caught in the fan and be seriously injured when the engine starts. Open the hood of your car or slap is noisily with your hand before starting the engine on cold days to startle any animal sleeping there.
• Remember, any pet can suffer from frostbite, just like you or I, so always make sure that they don't spend too much time in wet snow or ice, and clean their feet of ice frequently.
  Back to the top
  Send your questions to the Humane Society of Charles County, Maryland via our webmaster.
  © copyright 1998 through 2007... All rights reserved.