Avoiding Pet Winter Health Hazards
Winter can be a joyful time to spend with your pets. Between cuddles on the couch and holiday celebrations frolicking in the snow, Roanoke Valley pet owners have a lot of opportunities to make beautiful memories. But there are also winter pet health hazards to protect your four-legged friends from.
Winter can be a joyful time to spend with your pets. Between cuddles on the couch and holiday celebrations frolicking in the snow, Roanoke Valley pet owners have a lot of opportunities to make beautiful memories. But there are also pet winter health hazards to protect your four-legged friends from.
The Cold – Bringer of Most Pet Winter Health Hazards
Not to put too fine a point on it, but winter is cold! And just because your dogs and cats have fur doesn’t mean they can handle extended periods outdoors. Just like humans, the cold can be dangerous to your best friends.
Not only are there severe conditions like frostbite, limber tail, or hypothermia, but exposure to too much cold takes a lot of energy, weakening your pets’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to sickness. They’re just like humans that way!
Outdoor Chemicals
Several chemicals associated with winter are hazardous to your dogs and cats. Sometimes, cars leak antifreeze, which is deadly if ingested! In addition, the salt and other chemicals we use to melt can build up on your pets’ feet.
Pet owners should take time to clean their animals’ feet after they go outside. That prevents skin issues or ingestion.
Lack of Exercise
Sometimes, when we’re too cold to take our dogs for walks, we forget that they still need exercise. And mental exercise is just as crucial to your dog’s life as physical.
While you should never leave your dogs out in the cold for extended periods, you still need to find ways to occupy them. Play indoor games with your pets or give them puzzle toys to solve.
And don’t forget that kitty loves to play, too!
Dryness and Overheating
During the winter, we may have the heat running nonstop. That can lead to dryness and skin issues for your pets.
Monitor your animals for any changes in their coats and skin. Also, give them plenty of water so they don’t dehydrate!
The Forgotten Pet Winter Health Hazard: Loneliness
During the winter holidays, we tend to spend a lot of time outside of our homes, visiting friends, attending parties, and maybe even taking an extended trip. When we are home, we’re often stressed and busy. All this activity can lead us to neglect the ones we love, especially the ones who can’t speak up for themselves and say what they need.
Remember to make time for your pets during this happy season. Incorporate them into your traditions or set time aside to give them extra exercise, playtime, and love. You’re their whole world!
We hope today’s blog helped to remind you (or brought attention for the first time toward) protecting your animals from winter pet health hazards. In the coming weeks, we’ll get into some additional specifics about several of the issues we addressed today.
Cuddle your friends close!