Brrrr…it’s cold outside! 

Niklas enjoys being outside on a sunny winter day, but comes in to get warm later on.

When the temperature (and the snow) begins to fall, you’ll find that your pet needs a little extra care from you. The following guidelines will help you protect your animals when the mercury dips:

Never let your dog off the 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 during any other season, so make sure yours   always wears ID tags.

Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth.

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.

If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself or consider getting him a coat or sweater with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape. On the other hand, indoor dogs may get less exercise in the cold months, and will need fewer calories to avoid weight gain.

Nanny Millie enjoys winter in her warm coat, which some seniors may need.

When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.

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

Though we believe your dog should be inside and part of your family, if he does live outdoors or spend long periods of time there, he needs a dry, elevated doghouse with clean, dry bedding and a flap over the opening to keep drafts out. Click here for how to build a great outdoor doghouse (scroll down the page).

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

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

Delilah enjoys a soft blanket and warm fire in her foster home.

With thanks to the ASPCA

1.     I will not bark at the garbage collector; he is not stealing our stuff.

2.     I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I’m lying under the coffee table.

3.     I will not roll my toys behind the fridge, behind the sofa or under the bed.

4.     I will shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house.

5.     I will not eat the cats’ food before they eat it or after they throw it up.

6.     I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet in the house when I am about to get sick.

7.     I will not throw up in the car.

8.     I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc. just because I like the way they smell.

9.     I will not eat the tootsie rolls out of the kitty litter box. Although they are tasty, are not food.

10.    I will not eat any more Kleenex or napkins and then redeposit them in the backyard after processing.

11.    I will remember the diaper pail is not a cookie jar.

12.    I will not chew my human’s toothbrush and not tell them.

13.    I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging.

14.    When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it’s raining outside.

15.    We do not have a doorbell. I will not bark each time I hear one on TV.

16.    I will not steal my mom’s underwear and dance all over the backyard with it.

17.    I will not use the sofa as a face towel (or mom & dad’s laps).

18.    I will not put my head in the refrigerator.

19.    I will not growl at the officer when he reaches in for mom’s driver’s license and car registration.

20.    I will not play tug-of-war with dad’s underwear when he’s on the toilet.

21.    I will not eat mint flavored dental floss out of the bathroom garbage to avoid having a string hanging out of my butt.

22.    I will not use “roll around in the dirt” as an option after just getting a bath.

23.    I will remember that sticking my nose into someone’s crotch is not an acceptable way of saying hello.

24.    I will not hump on any person’s leg just because I thought it was the right thing to do.

25.    I will not fart in my owners face while sleeping on the pillow next to their head.

26.    I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt across the carpet.

27.    The toilet bowl is not a never ending water supply and, just because the water is blue, it doesn’t mean it is cleaner.

28.    I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch when company is over.

29.    I will remember that suddenly turning around and smelling my butt can quickly clear a room.

30.    The cat is not a squeaky toy so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it’s usually not a good thing.

The holidays are a time to decorate and share good times with friends and family. However, the same treats and trimmings considered harmless for humans could be a serious health risk for their pets. Below are some helpful hints for pet owners to help keep their pets happy, healthy and stress free.

Here’s one holiday list you can check twice to help keep the furry members of your family happy and healthy:

Season’s eatings shouldn’t include holiday greenery such as holly, mistletoe, lilies and amaryllis. While commonly used to deck the halls, they can make your pet sick if ingested.

Everybody needs their zzzz’s, please: Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a blanket is perfect.

Look before you light. Lit candles produce fumes that can be harmful to birds if inhaled. And don’t forget, your pet’s wagging tail can easily knock over a burning candle. Liquid potpourri is also dangerous to pets, who could ingest it from decorative bowls and simmering pots.

Whoa, Christmas tree! Their branches definitely delight pets, who’ve been known to chew on them and whatever decorations may be hanging from them. Place small, breakable ornaments up high, and keep tinsel and garland out of your pet’s reach, as these can get caught in his throat. And make sure that pine needles, which can be toxic, don’t get eaten.

Keep loose batteries in packages away from pets. They contain corrosives that can cause ulceration in your animal companion’s mouth, tongue and gastrointestinal tract if bitten or swallowed.

Your pets are not garbage disposals for holiday leftovers. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages, chocolates are poisonous, and any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements.

If your pet is used to eating leftovers, make sure to feed them meat without rich sauces or spices; fresh vegetables are a good alternative. Candy and sugar may give your pet diarrhea or intestinal problems.

Crowds and holiday festivities can frighten some animals. If your pet does not do well with crowds and loud noise, make sure you set aside a safe and quiet haven for him to retreat to if necessary.

Some animals, especially kittens and puppies, like to chew on exposed wiring, which could electrocute your pet.  Tape down loose wires to baseboards and hide wiring as much as possible.

Dogs and cats can be allowed to romp through discarded wrapping paper and boxes, but remove bows, ribbons and yarn. Cut away shopping bag handles on bags, which small dogs and cats can easily choke on. Keep aluminum foil away from your animals, which can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage.

Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea. Make sure a skirt or a cloth covers the bottom of the tree.

Antifreeze Alert! Antifreeze has a pleasant taste. It also contains ethylene glycol, which can cause rapid and permanent kidney damage to your pet if he ingests even a very small amount. As little as one teaspoon can be deadly for an average size cat, which can ingest the chemical just by wandering through an antifreeze puddle and then cleaning his paws. Less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10-lb. dog, which can be lapped up easily from a puddle on the garage floor. Clean up any spills, and store antifreeze in a tightly closed contained in a closed cabinet.

Dry heat can dry out your pet’s skin. A small amount of vegetable oil in food will help keep your pet comfortable.

Problem foods for pets:
    Alcoholic beverages
    Chocolate
    Coffee (grounds, espresso beans)
    Moldy or spoiled food
    Onions, onion powder
    Salt
    Yeast Dough
    Raisins or Grapes

If you suspect your pet has gotten into a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian immediately.  

Also don’t forget:

Guests: Your home may be filled with friends and family as you gather together for the holiday. Your dog may become overwhelmed with the noise and confusion that company can bring. It is important that you provide a quiet retreat for your dog. Realize that it is important for you, as a dog owner, to recognize when your dog is getting stressed or wound up and put them away to a quieter spot. You should also keep an eye on the door, as your dog may see the door repeatedly opening as an invitation to slip out.

Traveling without your pet: Whatever the reason, if you must leave your pet behind when you travel, careful planning and preparation will minimize the stress on both you and your pet. There are a number of options available to you. Perhaps a family member or friend can watch your dog. If not, find a reputable pet-sitter to come in and care for your animals (they can even water your plants if you will be gone a while). Being in familiar surroundings may alleviate some of the stress of you being gone. Another good option is putting your pet in a boarding kennel. If you decide to go this route, book your space early as the top kennels fill up early.

Air travel tips:

If you’ll be flying with your animal companion this yuletide season–and if your pet must travel in the cargo hold–please take the following precautions:

Visit the vet and make sure your pet is “good to go.” Fido will need a check-up and up-to-date vaccinations. Obtain a health certificate from your vet within 10 days of departure.

Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate that’s large enough for your pet to stand in and change position. Line the bottom with shredded paper towels and write the words “LIVE ANIMAL” in letters at least one inch high on the top and sides of the crate. Tape your destination information along with a photo of your pet to the top of the crate. This can be a lifesaver should your pet escape from the carrier.

Your pet will be wearing a collar and ID tag, right? Good! Don’t forget to include the address and telephone number of your destination on the tag.

Prior to the trip, freeze water in a sturdy bowl for your pet. This way, it won’t spill during loading and will have melted by the time she gets thirsty. Tape a small cloth pouch of dry food outside the crate, enabling airline personnel to feed her on long-distance flights or layovers.