- Beyond The Crate
- www.beyondthecrate.com
email: sales@beyondthecrate.com
 |  |  |  |  |  |
To protect your pet during the cold winter months,
the Dumb Friends League recommends the following safety advice:
- Keep an eye on the temperature. When it falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it's
best to keep your pet indoors. Short-haired dogs, cats and puppies should be
kept indoors when the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep your pet's coat well groomed. Matted fur won't properly protect your pet
from the cold.
- Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet to
pets, but most brands are poisonous if consumed. Should your pet ingest any
amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Regularly check your pet's water to make sure it's not frozen. When your pet is
outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available. Animals
can't burn calories without a fresh supply of water, and if they can't burn
calories, they'll get cold. Also, use a tip-resistant, ceramic or hard plastic water
bowl rather than a metal one, as your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to a cold
metal.
- Use a damp towel to wipe your pet's feet and underside. Ice-melting chemicals
can irritate and burn the pads of your pet's feet and can cause serious injury if
ingested. Another way to protect your dog's feet is to spray the pads of their
feet with cooking spray or you can purchase boots for your pet
- Provide a dry, draft-free doghouse if you must keep your dog outside for any
period of time. It should be large enough to allow your dog to sit and lay down
comfortably but small enough to hold in its body heat. The floor should be raised
a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The
doghouse should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should
be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.
- Slap the hood of your vehicle before starting it. In their search to keep warm
outdoors, cats often take refuge next to a warm car engine or tire.
- Keep snow from piling high next to your fence. A packed snowdrift will provide a
boost for your dog to jump over the fence and escape the safe confines of your
yard.
- Indoors, make sure your pet sleeps away from drafts. Areas near windows or
doors that lead outdoors may allow cold air to seep in and keep your pet from
staying adequately warm.
- Consider the amount of exercise your dog receives during colder weather. If
your dog stays indoors more, it's probably getting less exercise and may need
less food; however, if your pet is outside often it may need more food to burn the
calories necessary to produce more body heat.
If you suspect an animal is deprived of adequate food, water, or shelter, call the Dumb
Friends League’s Cruelty Investigations Department at 303-923-0022, seven days a
week. Reports of animal neglect or abuse are kept confidential.
Email us sales@beyondthecrate.com
PO Box 50481
Oklahoma City, OK 73140
Copyright 2005 by KAZTECH Marketing, LLC All Rights Reserved