During these cold months, it can be hard to keep our pets healthy and happy. Cold weather often brings a variety of issues to watch for when keeping our dogs and cats out of trouble. Holistic veterinarian Carol Osborne offers some basics to help your pets stay safe during frigid temperatures and avoid a trip to the Pet ER.
Rock Salt & Ice Melting Products
When using ice-melting products like rock salt and de-icing chemicals, spritz your pet’s paws off with water and pat them dry when they come inside to prevent skin and paw irritation. Signs of ingestion include excessive drooling, depression, and vomiting.
Antifreeze is Deadly
Antifreeze is deadly for pets. Clean up spills and leaks immediately, and store in sealed, pet-proof containers. If you think your pet has ingested antifreeze, this is a true life-or-death emergency! Call your vet immediately and/or drive to the nearest Pet ER!
Booties & Jackets & Food
Keep your pets warm during extremely cold temperatures. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet. Put on booties and a jacket. Additionally, offer extra food because pets need more calories to maintain body heat.
Frostbite Risks
Frostbite risk areas include your pet’s ears, nose, tail tip, and ears. Frostbitten areas initially turn red, then gray. To treat frostbite: give your pet a warm bath and wrap them up in warm towels. Offer warm chicken noodle soup and call your vet just to be sure. Don’t rub an area that has frostbite!
Homemade Pet Meals
Homemade meals for your pet are a healthy and cost-effective way to ensure your pet gets essential nutrients without the risk of indigestion, weight gain from overeating, or high empty calories from processed foods. A balanced meal made of equal parts lean protein (such as chicken, turkey, beef, veal, duck, fish, or eggs), long-acting carbohydrates (like potatoes, rice, pasta, or oatmeal), and fresh vegetables (broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, green beans, lima beans) is ideal. Cats need more protein than dogs, so an 80/20 lean protein-to-veggies mix works perfectly.
Rat & Mouse Baits Smell Good
Rat and mouse baits are usually used more often in cold weather. Place baits in areas inaccessible to your pets. Peanut butter baits smell good and are tasty to pets. Save the labels, and if you think your pet has eaten bait, get to your vet ASAP. Call ahead while you are on your way! Most pets are treated with Vitamin K therapy and recover.
Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM
Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, is a practicing integrative veterinarian and a nationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of functional medicine. She is the founder and director of the Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center and Pet Clinic and an Emmy-nominated television journalist. Her first two books, Naturally Healthy Dogs and Naturally Healthy Cats hit the international best-seller lists. She is a regular contributor to several television shows and networks including FOX & Friends, The Today Show, Discovery’s Animal Planet, and Good Day LA.Dr. Carol is board-certified in Anti-Aging Medicine and developed and patented PAAWS: Pet Anti-Aging Wellness System for dogs and cats. Today she has turned her passion for functional pet medicine, real food, nutrition, and wellness into activism. Dr. Osborne is leading a pet health revolution that challenges us to reimagine our pet’s biology and the process of aging to create and sustain your pet’s health for life. Learn more at http://www.chagrinfallspetclinic.com