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Winter Pet Care

Winter is upon us, and you have probably prepared your house for the cold. But what about preparing your pet? Dogs and cats require some special attention to stay safe during the cold winter months.

One extra precaution to take is to ensure that your animal has enough nourishment to withstand the harsher temperatures. If your critter stays outdoors, he or she usually needs a bit more food in the winter, as a pet uses more energy to generate body heat and tolerate the cold. A balanced diet of nutritionally complete dry food best provides this, without the use of nutritional supplements unless ordered by a vet.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), water is the most important nutrient for any animal. An adult dog’s weight is composed of approximately 60% water. Water is present in every part of an animal, such as cells, cell walls, blood, and the spaces between cells. As little as a 15% reduction in water intake is enough to be fatal! It is no wonder, then, that fresh water for your pet must be available at all times. You may think that because an animal may eat snow or lick ice that he or she intakes enough water. However, these actions are not enough to keep a critter hydrated. A great way to provide fresh, ice free water is by supplying it in a heated pet bowl. These bowls are designed to heat only when the temperature is near freezing and turn off when it reaches approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that ice-free, fresh, but not hot, water is always available. We offer several heated pet bowls and buckets with chew-resistant cords for your animal’s enjoyment.

If your animal stays outdoors, keep his or her shelter warm and dry by providing straw or blankets on the floor. Change the covering often to ensure it is fresh and warm. A thin coated animal may need extra protection from wind chills, so you may choose to buy a coat or sweater for it.

Checking the paws of dogs and cats should also be a part of your animal-care routine. Salt and ice may accumulate between the animal’s toes and cause skin irritation. Frostbite may also occur if the ice on your pet’s feet is not removed. To remove ice, immerse the paws in warm water or cover them with warm, moist towels until all snow and ice is removed and they are room temperature to the touch. Be sure that his or her feet are completely dry before allowing the creature back outside.

One of the biggest dangers animals face is antifreeze. Antifreeze has a sweet aroma, enticing to cats and dogs, but is highly toxic to animals. Propylene glycol is less toxic than ethylene glycol, but be sure that all antifreeze and other dangerous chemicals up on shelves and out of your pet’s reach.

Common sense for people easily translates into common sense for animals. In the cold months, be sure your pet has plenty of food and fresh water, as well as a warm, dry place to rest. Be sure a short-haired dog or cat has a sweater or jacket for extra warmth, and check his or her paws regularly. Keep toxic items out of reach for your pets, and do not allow puppies and kittens out in the cold for extended periods of time. If these precautions are followed, you and your pet can look forward to a happy, healthy winter.

If you are interested in purchasing a heated pet bowl or other pet care item, BestNest.com has a wide selection of products to meet your needs. Please visit us at www.bestnest.com. If you would like more personal assistance, please email us at [email protected] or call 877-369-5446.

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