Frigid air threatens pets

With temperatures falling below freezing and arctic winds blowing, local veterinarians are advising residents to give extra care to their pets.

Dr. Steve Sunbury of the Seymour Animal Hospital said the best way to protect an animal is to provide shelter from wind, rain and snow.

"I think a lot of people feel that an animal that stays outside a lot already is prepared for that," he said of animals in the elements. "Unfortunately, that is not always the case."

 He advises that animals be sheltered with a dog house, barn or shed.

"It needs to be raised off the ground a couple of inches if possible because the ground pulls heat out of an animal," he said. "That air underneath kind of acts as an insulator."

The opening should face away from the wind and should have a cover such as a piece of plastic or a burlap sack to prevent wind, rain or snow from getting inside.

"One thing some people don't realize as far as a shelter is bigger is not better," he said. "Too big of a shelter and the animal has to use too much of their heat to heat it."

A dog house should be about one half times the length of the animal and one half times the height of the animal. He said that way the animals don't have to use too much of their own body heat to warm the shelter.

He also suggests straw or cedar chips to place in the dog house to keep the animal warm.

"However, some animals can develop allergies to those things, so that is something to keep in mind," he said. "Blankets and towels can get wet and become a problem rather than helping. So if you are using blankets or towels, they need to be removed and cleaned and put back."

Dr. Ron Harrison of the Brownstown Animal Hospital advises pet owners to be cautious when bringing dogs inside a home or garage.

"Be careful bringing outside dogs into a real warm environment because they have a hard time adjusting when going back outside," he said.

He also warns that pets can end up chewing on electrical wiring or eating and drinking things they usually aren't accustomed to seeing when bringing them inside, so take preventative action.

Outdoor dogs aren't the only ones that need warmth.

"Make sure while (house dogs) are outside they are comfortable and not in the weather," Harrison said. "Also, allow them a place out of the wind that's safe. Sometimes dogs have a tendency to go where it's not icy or snowing, so they go on the road. Then they have a higher tendency to get hit by cars."

Both Sunbury and Harrison said pets need plenty of fresh food and fresh water to maintain their body heat.

"Make sure they have access to it and make sure it's not frozen," Harrison said.

Animals naturally try to put on a little winter weight for protection. Sunbury said owners need to be aware of that increase and the amount of food they offer the animal.

"Animals burn more calories trying to stay warm so they are going to go through the food more," he said. "So just to maintain their weight they are going to have to eat more."

Sunbury recommends using a plastic or rubber dish because an animal's tongue can stick to metal bowls when left in freezing conditions.

One common thing a cat might do in the winter is find a vehicle that is parked outside after it's been running and climb up under the engine or under the hood to warm up.

"So it's not a bad idea to bang on the hood as you get in your vehicle or honk the horn to let them know you are getting ready to start the engine, because we do see cats that get caught in the fan belts," Sunbury said.

An animal's fur is also something to think about in the winter months because it provides insulation from the elements. Sunbury said it is recommended not to shave dogs when winter comes.

"Some shorter-haired dogs, they need to have a sweater or something like that," he said. "Some people think that's just an owner playing dress up with their dog, but actually if they are an inside dog and they are going out for a walk, that's not a bad idea to have a little sweater or something that you can put on them to help protect them."

Harrison suggests keeping the weather and environmental influences to a minimum.

Breeds that have longer hair that grows between their foot pads can provide extra warmth, but they can also cause problems.

Sunbury said if that hair gets wet and freezes it can create ice chunks and can cause frostbite. He said sometime is it is recommended to have that longer hair trimmed around the foot pads.

Just like humans, not all animals react to colder temperatures the same way.  Sunbury said it depends on the breed. Animals such as huskies and malamutes are much more prepared for the cooler weather. They have a thicker coat and they have an undercoat.

"Some animals are better prepared for the elements than we are," he said. "But on the other hand, animals are a little more helpless than we are. Because we have the ability to open the door, go inside and turn on the heat, start a fire, whatever it may be."

Harrison said it depends on the dog and their ability to deal with cold weather. He suggests anyone who has questions concerning their pet to talk with their vet or anyone involved with animals.

Top Ten Cold Weather Tips from the ASPCA at www.aspca.org

1. Keep your cat inside.

2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under hoods of cars and 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 the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm - dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost.

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

7. Puppies do not tolerate cold as well as adult dogs. If your dog is sensitive to the cold because of age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8.  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.

9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Clean up any spills from your vehicle.

10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts.