Pet Safety - Whitinsville winters

11/13/2019 (Permalink)

Always remember to wipe their paws and bellies after coming inside from playing in the snow.

Pet Safety

With this New England winter weather coming our way soon, we want to remind you to keep your beloved pets in mind when thinking about winter safety!

When you bring your dog in from a walk or playing outside, you should always wipe their feet and bellies. They can ingest antifreeze, salt, or other dangerous chemicals while licking their paws. Salt may also cause bleeding of their pads, as well as ice, so always keep an eye on your best friends paws! Maybe even consider purchasing a pair (or pairs) of dog boots or paw protectors.

The American Kennel Club suggests that you trim the hair/ fur between your dogs pads, as it can form ice balls. Keep them well trimmed so the fur is even with the surface of their pads.

Although your dog(s) may love to play out in any weather, it is best to limit their time outside if it is extremely cold. Of course, if you have a heavy-coated northern breed of dog, such as a Bernese mountain dog or a Saint Bernard, they thrive in low temps, so it is OK to let them outside for longer periods of time in the cold.

Frostbite:

Dogs are most likely to get frostbite on the ears, paws, and tail. Sometimes, it may take days for symptoms of (severe) frostbite to appear.

Signs of frostbite:

• Skin appears white or blue.
• Shivering.
• Swelling of affected area.

If your dog is showing signs of frostbite:

• Move him/her to a warm and dry area.
• Do NOT rub the affected area.
• Do NOT try to warm frostbite while still outdoors, this can make it worse.
• Do NOT use a hair dryer, heating pad, or any other direct source of heat.
• Carefully use warm water (not hot!!). Apply warm water using a compress or soaking the area in a bowl of warm water.
• Contact your veterinarian for further examination.

Once the area is warmed, pat them dry

Even our older friends love to play outside! When dogs age, we have to consider that they are like humans, and when they get older they have a more difficult time regulating their body temp. Along with the elder dogs, puppies, like human babies, also have a difficult time regulating their body temperature. It is best to limit the elder dogs and puppies time in the snow.

For more information regarding dog winter safety see: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-winter-safety-tips-for-dogs/

Here at SERVPRO of Southern Worcester County, we want you and your family, including your fur babies, to be as safe as possible during the winter months.