With the temperature dropping, remember that your pets need special care.  Below are some tips to keep Fido and Mouser happy this winter.

Housing for Outdoor Pets

A Pet retreat should be available for use during the colder temperatures or unexpected storm.  Straw bedding should be used since it is the best insulator.  The shelter should only be big enough for your pet to stand and turn around, allowing your pet to stay warmer while inside the shelter.

Warmed water should be available outside in a deep plastic container with a large opening so it does not freeze as quickly.  Changing the water multiple times also helps to keep it from freezing.  You can also purchase a heater to put into the water so it will never freeze.

Your pet may exhibit an increased appetite.  Your pet’s metabolic rate will increase while it is trying to produce heat and keep itself warm.  Therefore, you may need to increase the amount of food available. 

Hazards to Watch For

Car engines are common places for cats to keep warm in the winter.  If there are outdoor cats in your neighborhood, bang on the hood of your car before starting it.  It could save a life and a lot of heartache.

“Ice Melt” can be toxic if ingested and can also cause sores on your pet’s feet.  Be sure to wipe/rinse their paws after your pet comes inside after out in the cold.  Booties can also be used to protect the feet. Most booties can be purchased at your local outdoor gear store, dog supply store, or online.

Antifreeze is a toxic chemical that can cause death very quickly if ingested by your pet.  Check for leaks below your car and get them cleaned up as soon as possible.  If you notice a leak in your neighborhood, contact the owner of the car or put sawdust or cat litter on the spill to absorb the liquid and then sweep it up and discard it. The sweet taste makes this deadly chemical even more dangerous.

Coats and Boots For Pets Too?

Booties are a helpful item of clothing that has many uses: traction control, snowball buildup prevention, toxic ingestion are just a few.

Your pets can slip on ice just like you, possibly resulting in injury.  Rough ice can also cause cuts on the paws.  Using booties with traction control may help protect the feet and, indirectly, the body.

Dogs with lots of hair between their toes can get painful “snowball build-up.”  To prevent this, it is easiest to just use booties.  You can, however, rub vaseline on the paws and between the toes before playing in the snow.

Pets that walk outside are exposed to “ice melt”.  If it is not manually cleaned off the paws by the owner, then the animal will probably lick it off when cleaning.  This ingestion can be toxic and best prevented by having your pet wear booties. 

Pets with short hair are more susceptible to the cold and wind.  A coat may benefit your pet if it is going to be outside for any extended period of time.  

February is National Dental Month for Pets.  During the entire month of February, we will be offering a 10% discount of all dental services. This includes dental cleanings as well as dental products. Please call to schedule an appointment for your pet’s dental cleaning. Do not forget to stop by our office and stock up on dental products.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems in our pets. In fact, it is estimated that 80 per cent of dogs and 70 per cent of cats older that 3 years of age suffer from one form of periodontal disease. The dental disease process begins with the accumulation of plaque, which is made of salivary proteins and bacteria. The bacteria irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed, this is known as gingivitis.  If the plaque is removed by tooth brushing, the gingivitis resolves and the gums return to normal. 

If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into “tartar” or “calculus.” The calculus  provides a rough surface for even more plaque to accumulate bad breath may be noted. The inflammation continues in the gums and can also affect the bone in the area, resulting in destruction of the bone around the tooth roots. Eventually, the teeth become loose and fall out.

In addition to tooth loss, periodontal disease has other, more serious, consequences. The millions of bacteria present in an unhealthy mouth can spread to other parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidney and liver and cause disease in these organs.

In cats and  small breed dogs with small jawbones, the bone destruction caused by periodontal disease can weaken the jawbone enough to cause a fracture.

The good news is that periodontal disease is completely preventable! Removing the plaque reverses the inflammatory process in the gingiva and restores the gums to health. This can best be achieved by brushing your pet’s teeth daily. Once calculus has formed, a professional cleaning is required. Although the bone destruction caused by periodontal disease cannot be reversed, the inflammatory process can be stopped or slowed with proper treatment. You can provide your companion with healthy teeth and gingiva by scheduling him or her for a dental check up or professional dental cleaning.