TIPS

Winter Tips

• All animals, wild and domestic, are naturally attracted to sweets. While the taste of antifreeze is sweet, it is also poisonous. Clean spills up quickly. Or, even better, purchase antifreeze that is "pet safe."
• Sidewalk salt is caustic to animal paws. It can burn the paws as well as make the animal sick when they lick their paws. Shovel regularly and use a less hazardous substance such as kitty litter.
• As the daylight hours become shorter, use a reflective collar on your dog when walking in the evening. A jacket with reflective tape for you, along with a flashlight will keep both of you safe.
• Cats seek warmth in car engines. If you have strays in your area, knock loudly on the hood before starting your engine. Keep your companion cat(s) inside.
• Cats will also seek warmth from the window sills where heat is seeping out. This often causes the cat to freeze to the sill. Again, make sure your cat is safe inside and advice those in your area to do the same.
• If your dog is outside in a doghouse, be sure the house is well insulated, off the ground, facing south with a flap over the door.
• Animals going outside, even for short periods in bad weather, should have an increase of fat in their diet. This will help maintain body heat.
• During the holidays, keep chocolate out of the reach of dogs. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and can kill them. Call your vet immediately if your dog does ingest a large quantity.
• Do not feed your dogs bones as a holiday treat. Bones can splinter and lodge or cut the throat, stomach and intestinal tract.
• While traveling with your companion animal, be certain to have an identification tag with information on where you can be reached quickly.