Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for extended periods of time, thinking that all animals are adapted to live outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness.
If pets are kept outdoors, they must be provided with a heated or insulated shelter that is elevated off the ground and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet and snow. Water sources may be heated to permit constant access to unfrozen water. Outdoor pets also require extra calories to keep warm. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept outside.
If you light a fire or plug in a space heater to keep warm, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces. Pets can either burn themselves or knock a heat source over and put the entire household in danger.
Many people will be “winterizing” their cars this winter, including a change of antifreeze. Keep both new and old antifreeze in sealed container, out of reach of pets. Even very small amounts are extremely toxic causing kidney failure and often can be fatal in just a few days.
While you are busy making your festive plans for the holidays, remember there are some things you should not share with your pet. Once you know the precaution and prevention, it will make holidays a happy time for everyone. Some of the more common holiday hazards include:
Bones: Do not feed any types of bones to your pet. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach and intestinal tract.
Chocolate: Many people do not realize that chocolate can be a poison. Unsweetened baking chocolate carries a much higher dose of a toxin “theobromine” than milk chocolate.
TOXIC PLANTS AND PRODUCTS
Low Toxicity - Poinsettia leaves/ stems; balsam/ pine/ cedar/ fir, angel hair; Christmas tree preservatives; snow sprays/ snow flock; tree ornaments; super glue; Styrofoam; icicles/ tinsel/ ribbons; and crayons/ paint.
Moderate Toxicity- Fireplace salts; plastic model cement; bubbling lights and aftershaves/ perfumes/ alcoholic beverages.
High Toxicity- Holly berries/ leaves; mistletoe/ berries; electric light cords; and ivy.
BONES ARE DANGEROUS
Please, please don’t feed your pets bones, especially poultry bones. Poultry bones splinter easily. Ribbons & Tinsel are of special interest to playful cats and kittens who see these materials as toys to be chased, pounced upon, chewed or swallowed. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach.
Keep harmful objects out of your pet’s reach. A little prevention may be just enough to avoid pet tragedy from happening in your home.
We all like to include our pets in Holiday meals, but try to keep in mind that sudden rich diet changes are likely to upset a pets stomach. Vomiting and diarrhea are not uncommon. If leftovers are of an especially fatty nature, the pancreas may become inflamed and overloaded. This condition is serious and may require hospitalization.
National Animal Poison Control
1-888-426-4435
