YOUR WALKING BUDDY

Brrrr! The Mercury Is Falling:
Tips to Winterize Your Pets

By Julie Cantonwine

When it comes to pet ownership, hot summer days are easier than cold winter nights. As the season changes, so does the way we take care of our furry friends.

First, some safety tips to remember when the temperature drops outside:
• Be careful adding antifreeze to your car and clean up any spills right away. Antifreeze puddles can be deadly. The product has a sweet taste, and cats and dogs don’t mind having a lick or two. Use a pet-friendly, non-toxic antifreeze.
• Small animals trying to keep warm may curl up next to a warm engine block under the hood of your car. When you get into your car in the morning, smack the hood a few times before you start the engine. The loud noise will encourage any animal to give up its warm hiding place.
• Salt crystals or de-icing chemicals used on pavement can irritate paws and pads. The chemical can also be ingested, creating stomach upset. Be sure to wipe down your pets’ paws and pads with a wet towel after they come inside.
• If you plan on spending long periods of time outdoors with your dog, consider buying a raincoat and a set of dog booties.
• If you keep your dog outside, make certain that the shelter you provide is enclosed and located away from the north side of your home. Keep the shelter in a space where there is plenty of sunshine most of the day. Be sure to add insulation underneath the dog house.

When the weather is cold, it takes more energy to keep warm and active, so remember to offer more food to your pets, especially if you take your dogs on cold weather outings. If your pet gets less exercise during the winter, then you can decrease your pet’s caloric intake.

Frolic With Fido This Winter
Finding activities to satisfy your dog’s energy level can be a challenge during winter months.

Skijoring, derived from the Norwegian word for “ski-driving” is the perfect sport for the cross country ski enthusiast with a dog.

The skier is outfitted with a skijoring belt, which hooks to a quick release line that in turn is attached to an X-back harness on the dog. The skijoring line has a bungee cord system that acts as a shock absorber when you start out or fall down. To learn more, visit www.skijoring.com.

Snowshoeing is always fun for you and your dog. Prevent the snow from sticking to and balling up between your dog’s toes by first applying petroleum jelly to this potential trouble spot.

If you don’t want to drive to the mountains to play in the snow, try taking a bike ride with your dog in tow. Use a special harness system called a “Springer.” It attaches to your bike and helps you keep balance and control of you and your dog. It also has a safety release to free the dog and prevent injury in case of a fall or other incident.

This winter, don’t let the snow and rain keep you and your pet inside. Feed your animals a nutritious diet, bang on the hood of the car every morning, watch for antifreeze puddles, and keep a good size stack of old towels by the door to wipe your furry friend down after a day of frolicking in the cold and wet weather.

Julie Cantonwine is one of the owners of Healthy Pets Northwest. For more information, visit www.healthypetsnw.com.