How to winter your four-legged friend

By Tessa Kimmel for Animal Wellness Magazine

As you dig out your woollies and brace yourself for another Canadian winter, make sure you help your animal companion prepare for the change of season as well.

Unlike their wild counterparts, domestic dogs and cats are used to living in warm, comfortable homes and aren't as well-equipped for acclimatizing naturally to cold temperatures and harsh weather.

For the first few days after the weather turns frosty, help your dog adjust to lower temperatures by keeping walks short. Be mindful of the pace, and allow his muscles and lungs to warm up properly. Over the next few days, increase the walks by 15 minute increments and pick up the pace a little. As you both begin to acclimatize, you can extend walks until you are back up to your usual time and pace.

After the first snowfall, once again scale back the duration and pace of your walks. This will allow your dog (and you!) to get his or her "snow legs" back. Breed, age, and overall physical health determine how well your animal will manage winter weather.

On very cold days, puppies younger than six months should be let out for quick bathroom duties only. Older dogs with arthritic and related conditions may have more flare-ups, so keep them indoors on very cold days, except for potty breaks. Forgo walks in slippery conditions.

If your dog is single-coated, small, elderly or simply doesn't do well in the cold, buy him a warm winter coat. Choose a good quality product and make sure it's fitted properly. Some dogs may also require winter boots to protect tender paw pads from snow, ice and salt. Don't forget about sensitive ears and noses. The saying "if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them" holds true. Frostbite is a real concern, and ears and noses are first to be affected.

Adult cats, even those usually allowed outdoors, are safer inside during the winter. If your cat insists on going out, ensure she has a safe, warm place to retreat to. Better still, construct a "cat door" so she can quickly re-enter your home when needed. Never allow kittens younger than six months outside in winter.

Indoor safety

Does your animal suffer from dry, itchy skin during the winter?

Be sure you're feeding him a good quality diet, and add a bit of oil to his meal -- an essential fatty acid supplement is a good choice, or you can use safflower oil for dogs, and olive oil for cats (try to look for organic products where possible).

Gauge the oil to your animal's size and weight. Half a teaspoon daily is ample for a 90-pound dog, while one-quarter to one-third of a teaspoon is enough for a 10 to 14-pound adult cat. Start slowly, adding only a few drops at first, and mix it with your animal's food. Gradually increase the amount of several days, but cut back again if your animal exhibits any digestive upsets. Oil is not recommended for kittens and puppies younger than four months.

Winter means your animal will be spending a lot more time indoors. Keep in mind that both dogs and cats, but especially cats, are very sensitive to certain plants. Mistletoe, lily of the valley, Easter lily, philodendron and many others can cause severe poisoning and require immediate veterinary intervention. Either get rid of toxic plants or put them in a spot your animal can't access.

Products containing ethylene glycol, such as anti-freeze, are especially deadly. Typical signs of ethylene glycol poisoning are lack of coordination, vomiting and lethargy. If you have the slightest inkling that your animal has ingested ethylene glycol, seek immediate veterinary help. Clean up any spills immediately and store anti-freeze and related products out of your animal's reach.

Winter brings flu and colds to humans, which means we sometimes have to reach for a pain killer or cold medicine. If you drop a pill or spill cough syrup, make sure you clean the area thoroughly. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil) are all harmful to animals, especially cats. Store all medications -- and household cleaning products -- in hard-to-reach, locked cupboards, just as you would for a child.

Taking a few precautions to protect your companion from winter hazards, both indoors and out, will help you both enjoy the season to its fullest.

This article first appeared in Animal Wellness Magazine Nov - Dec 2005 issue.

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