Keeping Your Pet Safe in All Weather

No matter what the weather, the best way to ensure comfort and safety of your pet is to keep it where you are comfortable and safe — in your house. Consider offering your pet unlimited access to your house during weather extremes such as the hot, humid days of summer or the icy, cold days of winter.

As pets spend more time indoors, other issues may arise.

Many pets who aren’t used to being indoors may not know the rules and demonstrate normal, but destructive, behaviours such as chewing and clawing. Therefore, make sure you keep house plants and valuables out of reach.

Pets with access to the outdoors during warm weather may also bring in unwanted guests — fleas. And a change in seasons usually brings with it a change in coat. Regular brushing can reduce the amount of pet hair on your rugs and furniture.

Basic Needs

Every pet has basic needs that must be met year-round inculding:

• Shelter from rain, snow, and sun
  
  
• Plenty of fresh water
  
  
• Plenty of high-quality food
  
  
• Love and attention

Summer heat puts extra stress on your pet’s body. Because of this, it’s best to keep your pet inside where there is access to shade, water and cool air whether from open windows or air conditioning.

If your pet is outside all day, make sure he has a shady area, preferably on grass since pavement tends to heat up in warm weather. Check at different times to make sure the area is shaded all day.

You may need to provide extra water in summer. Try larger water containers, or special devices that attach to an easy to reach tap for unlimited access.

Most veterinarians don’t recommend shaving dogs or cats, since the hair helps them insulate against heat. Heavy-coated breeds of dogs and cats are especially prone to heat illnesses, especially in hot, humid climates. Many heavy-coated dogs appreciate a wading pool to loll in on extra hot days.

Other animals with an increased risk of overheating include senior pets, puppies and kittens, working pets, and flat-faced breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekes, Persians).

If your dog or cat is used to running errands with you in your car, leave it at home during hot summer days. Even with the windows open, your car can reach 50 degrees Celcius inside in less than 30 minutes. Don’t risk giving your pet heat stroke!

Jogging or biking with your dog can be dangerous in hot weather. Just as your body temperature rises during periods of extended exercise, so does your pet’s. But unlike you, dogs and cats can’t sweat. They must pant to rid their bodies of excess heat — an ineffective means of cooling off if the air outside is as warm or warmer than inside the body.

The best way to treat overheating is prevention. However, if you notice that your pet has abnormally rapid breathing, tremors, muscle weakness, vomiting, or fainting, your pet may have heat exhaustion

Wet your pet with cool —not cold — water, place in an area with a breeze, and transport your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

Cold weather also brings special care requirements for your pets.

Again, the ideal place for your pets in cold weather is indoors where they have shelter from cold temperatures, drifting snow, and ice. Outdoor pets require shelter with insulation, fresh food and water that doesn’t freeze. Consider an electric bowl heater to keep water from freezing outdoors.

If you take your pet outside in snowy or icy weather, be sure to check its paws for cuts or ice balls. After walking on pavement treated with salt or chemical snow removers, wipe your pet’s paws with a damp cloth.

Cover chilled pets with blankets and allow them to regain normal body temperature gradually.

Warm water baths — not hot baths —are another good way to gradually warm a chilled pet. Don’t use electric blankets or heating pads as they can burn your pet’s skin.

If your pet is severely chilled or unresponsive, take him to your veterinarian immediately.

Antifreeze (containing ethylene glycol) poses a special danger to pets in winter. Both dogs and cats are attracted by the sweet taste, and mere teaspoonfuls can cause kidney damage or death.

If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Treatment within two to four hours can save some pets.