Jan - Feb 2008

Companion Animal Hospital 1827 156th Avenue N.E. Bellevue, WA 98007 Telephone: (425) 746-1800

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Top 10 Cold Weather Tips for Pets

The following guidelines, compiled by the ASPCA,

will help you protect your pets when the weather is cold!

1. Keep cats indoors. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or stolen or injured. Cats who are allowed to roam free are also exposed to infectious diseases from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

3. Never let your dog off leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm; dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than any other season, so make sure your s always wear ID tags or has a microchip!

4. Thoroughly wipe off your dogs legs, paws and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow and ice. His paws can become irritated or bleed from encrusted snow or ice. He can also ingest salt, antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals while licking his paws.

5. Never shave your dog down to his skin in the winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him outdoors. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to his belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

6. Never leave your cat or dog alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the colder months, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper train him inside first. If your dog is sensitive due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8. Does your dog spend a lot of time on outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him and his fur in tip -top shape.

9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for cats and dogs. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather then ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for more information.

10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off of the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect!

If your pet experiences any health concerns as a result of

cold weather, contact us immediately at (425) 746-1800.

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