CHARLEVOIX — Late January to early February is typically the coldest time of the year in northern Michigan, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Dr. Rob Pletcher from Charlevoix Animal Hospital has some tips for keeping your pet safe and healthy during the long winter months ahead.
At the top of the list, Pletcher said pet owners need to adjust their safety concerns to their pet's unique needs. Factors such as breed, age, and health should be considered. For example, a Chihuahua needs a sweater when outdoors, but a Siberian Husky does not.
Other tips include:
- Outdoor time management: Pletcher advised limiting outdoor time in subfreezing temperatures and encouraging short walks and play during warmer parts of the day. “If you're not going outside and doing nothing, you're going to get colder faster. If you're active, you can generate some heat and stay a little warmer,” Pletcher said. “For a small dog, he won't be able to spend much time outdoors when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. He should go out and do his business and then come back in.”
- Appropriate clothing: When it comes to sweaters, jackets and boots to protect your pet from the cold, Pletcher emphasized that some dog breeds need more protection than others. “Especially if they have a small amount of fur, you should make sure they have a jacket on before going outside,” Pletcher says. Pletcher also said boots are not necessary in most cases unless your pet is going for longer walks as well as routine potty breaks.
- Caring for your fur: Pletcher said it's important to keep your pet properly cared for during the winter, adding that regardless of the animal, “whether it's a barn cat or a regular pet,” the fur should be kept matted. , explained that it is necessary not to make it too short. Pletcher said the mats prevent the animal's fur from functioning properly. “Even though they're winter dogs, huskies love it, so you can't keep their coats too short. You can get them cut pretty short with a trimmer, so don't cut their coats all the way to the skin during the winter.”
- Nutrition and hydration: Maintaining a balanced diet to keep your pet healthy and generating warmth is a key point for Pletcher, who also advises pet owners to make sure they have access to unfrozen water. I urged them to do so. Pletcher said it is “essential” to ensure animals have access to water. This includes taking steps to avoid freezing. “They need access to fresh water. They need hydration to stay warm,” Pletcher said. He also said having access to water inside a shelter such as a barn or shed will make it less likely to freeze.
- Foot care: Pletcher explained the importance of protecting your pet's paws from ice, salt and chemical deicers during the snowy season. He suggested getting into the habit of wiping your pet's paws after going outside to remove irritants. “They should wipe their paws before they come in. It's not good to lick their paws and it can cause burns if they stay on the skin for too long,” he said.
- To avoid the dangers of freezing water and snow: Mr. Pletcher warned of the dangers of pets jumping into frozen bodies of water and the responsibility owners have to provide guidance to keep pets away from such dangers. “All of these bodies of water are half-frozen right now and the dogs are going to come out so you have to be careful,” he said. Pletcher also noted that snow plow buildup can change an animal's normal path outdoors, putting it on roadways it wouldn't normally take and increasing the risk of being hit by a car. . To prevent this, he suggests digging a place where you can go to the toilet.
- shelter: Pletcher recommends that if animals are left outdoors for long periods of time without their owners, it's important to provide them with shelter that is insulated, waterproof, and has adequate bedding to keep them warm. I am. “Animals need a space that's large enough to move around, but small enough to generate some warmth,” he said.
- identification: One of the big points Pletcher emphasized was the importance of properly identifying pets, as they are more likely to get lost during the winter months. “It's very important to have proper identification on your pet. Especially in the winter, when time is limited and you don't want to let them spend the night outdoors if they get lost,” says Microchip Indoor Cats. says Pletcher, who recommends. They could easily slip out the door and get lost in the snow, and “they're not prepared for that, and they're at much higher risk for exposure issues,” he says. . “Make sure your dog or cat has a tag and a microchip. People get calls saying their pets have gone somewhere and it's winter so everyone is very worried.”
- Avoid antifreeze: Pletcher said he sees many animals poisoned by antifreeze at his clinic during the winter, stressing the importance of keeping pets away from toxic substances.
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— Reporter Annie Doyle (231) 675-0099 oradoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
