Brindha Prabhu Gandhikumar lists 10 tips to take special care of your pets this winter season, ensuring they don’t fall sick
Winter is a great time of the year for many people. There's a lot to do and the weather is great for a lot of winter sports. But the weather can change in a split second and you might go from a mild sunny day to a stormy and even a wet one. We’ve already seen instances of rain in winters in some parts of the country. While you take care of all necessary things while heading out in winters, you cannot forget to take special care of your pets in winters, to ensure they don't get sick.
W for winter, W for Wellness: Has your pet had its annual examination yet?
Cold weather can worsen many conditions such as arthritis. You should take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year, and it's just as good a time as any to make sure your dog or cat is in top health for cold weather.
Pets need choices, too
Pets are just like you, they all have preferences for quality bedding and many of them may actually choose to relocate their sleeping spot based on what makes them feel most comfortable. Foster a good relationship with your pet by making sure that s/he has safe options available so s/he can adjust his sleeping quarters as needed.
Safety lies indoors
Dogs and cats should be kept inside during cold weather. Having fur does not make dogs or cats immune to frostbite and hypothermia — this common belief is quite untrue because it fails to take into account that both species are highly susceptible if care isn't taken for oneself.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
To prevent an animal injury from occurring, take precautions like knocking on the hood and honking the horn before starting the car to discourage dogs and cats from curling up behind the car’s front grill where temperatures can reach dangerously high levels.
Dress them up
If you have a dog with short fur, it's not unusual to bundle them up in the colder months and be careful that the layers of clothing you put on them don't make them feel hot or itchy. When it comes to protecting your dog's feet from the freezing temperatures sometimes boots are used for added insulation but always remember it's important to make sure any footwear fits correctly, otherwise, they might come off when you're out walking.
Tag for easy location
Many pets are lost during the cold season, and one of the main reasons is that it’s hard for them to find their way back home. Make sure that your pet has a well-fitting collar on with up-to-date info so that you can always get in touch if needed, and that you both have an emergency plan where outside help will be able to easily identify the pet's owner if they ever need assistance away from home. You can also opt for a microchip.
Beware of poisonous substances
Be sure not to leave any potential food, such as chocolate and onions, lying around on the floors where they might eat it. Also, make sure that household chemicals such as hand soap and anti-freeze are not readily available to your animals — they may consume these in order to get a quick fix of sweetness or a cooling sensation in their mouth, but the results can be fatal.
Be place-cautious
When taking your pets for a walk, avoid frozen ponds and lakes. You don't know if this surface will hold up your weight or not. If you decide to run through it and fall through the ice, the danger could be fatal.
Be shelter ready
When the weather gets icy, we recommend making sure that your dog is living inside. However, if your dog absolutely needs to be outside, provide him/her with an insulated home where he/she can escape snow and wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh drinking water.
Do not overfeed
During the winter months, pet owners worry about the overall health of their pets because of the general coldness outdoors. Some feel that putting a few extra pounds on their dog or cat gives it a little more protection from wind and cold, but the risks associated with this extra weight are not worth doing.
(The author is the co-founder of TABPS Pets, a pet-care and food industry.)