Winter Wisdom for Your Pets

These can be the cruelest months for dogs and cats, so why not be kind?

By Judy DouBrava

They live under camper shells, upturned barrels and a few boards propped against the fence, or their doghouses are damp and leaky.

Small wonder, then, that although equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite, exposure and even dehydration when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs."

In nature, dogs will dig dens or otherwise find refuge from the elements, but chained dogs have no escape from the cold. During winter months, chained dogs can end up with frostbitten ears and noses, as well as dying or even dead, found frozen to the ground.

When the mercury plummets, animals need extra protection from the elements. Take the following precautions to ensure animals' safety:

• Bring animals inside, especially puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals and dogs with short hair. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a cozy sweater or coat.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam freely outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb up under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are killed or badly injured when the car is started. (To help prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine.) Animals can also become disoriented when there is snow or ice on the ground. More animals are lost during the winter than during any other season.
• Increase animals' food rations during winter; they are burning more calories to keep warm.
• Buy antifreeze made with propylene glycol (brands include Sierra and Prestone Lowtox) instead of ethylene glycol, which is a deadly poison even in small doses. Animals are attracted to antifreeze because of its sweet taste, so be sure to promptly clean up spills.
• Clean off your dog's or cat's legs, feet and stomach after coming in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make an animal sick if they are ingested while the animal grooms itself.
• Provide a source of water for outdoor animals and wildlife (keep the ice broken). Keep an eye out for strays, too. Bring unidentified animals inside until you can find their guardian or take them to the animal shelter. If strays are wild or unapproachable, provide food, water and shelter (stray cats will appreciate a small doghouse filled with warm bedding) and call the local humane society for assistance in humanely trapping them and getting them safely indoors.

If you must leave your dog outside for any length of time during the cold weather, provide them with proper shelter. Ideally, doghouses should be made of wood (plastic doesn't insulate as well, and metal conducts cold) and should be positioned in a sunny location during cold weather. Raise the house off the ground several inches, and put a flap over the door to keep out cold drafts. Use straw for bedding; rugs and blankets can get wet and freeze. Pretend that YOU are spending time outside in the conditions you have provided your pet. Would you be warm enough?

Please, don't leave your pet out in the cold. Bring them inside and make them part of your pack.

Judy DouBrava is a Silver City animal lover. For help or more information, visit her site at groups.msn.com/SilverCityDogsDeserveBetter.

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