Megan Brezovar, Greenhill Humane Society's Education Manager encourages families to take precautions before taking their pets on cold or snowy adventures.
“Dry, cold air, chilly rain, sleet, and snow can cause chapped paws, itchy skin, and other discomforts to your pet,” said Megan. “Ensure your pets are enjoying their outside adventures with these suggestions.”
- If it’s too outside cold for you, it’s cold for your pet. - Bring shivering pets inside, sometimes they refuse to play because they are too cold. Keep them inside. Pets unaccustomed to cold weather can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured, or harmed.
- Never shave pets down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat provides more warmth. If your pet is short-haired or already shaved, buy them a coat or sweater.
- Dog booties provide coverage, warmth and prevents ice and salt from lodging between bare toes causing irritation.
- Snow and ice freezes to animals' feet. Wash, dry and towel feet dry when pets re-enter the home. Pay extra attention to ice/snow in-between toes and feet.. Check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
- Wash and dry stomach to remove ice.
- Use pet-friendly ice melts. Ice melt products irritate pet’s feet and should be washed off.
- Animals are like us, they burn extra energy staying warm in cold weather. Animals who spend a lot of time outdoors require more food during cold weather.
- Make sure animals (companion and farm) have a warm place to sleep, off floors and away from drafts. A cozy animal bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
- Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up spills from vehicles and use products containing propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
- Car motors are dangerous for outside cats. Cats seek the motor’s warmth, and can be injured, maimed, or killed when caught in the vehicle’s fan belt. Always knock on the vehicle’s hood of the car or honk your horn before starting it.
- In winter, it is important that animals are warm and safe in extreme cold and snow. Limit their time and walks in harsh elements, keep their bodies and paws dry after romping in snow. Give outside cats and dogs indoor access protecting them from freezing temperatures.
BIRD TIPS
- Birds need water in the winter for drinking and keeping their feathers clean and intact.
- Bird and feed stores sell heaters for birdbaths preventing frozen water.
- Birds flying south in the winter need more food.
- Forest fires drive birds to new areas for new food sources.
- Chickadees stash sunflower seeds in tree bark, under dead leaves, and in the ground, only to dig them up later and eat when it snows.
- Hummers need sugar water because it replaces flower nectar, especially during the winter with flower scarcity.
- Feed hummingbirds using the one-part sugar to four parts water ratios. NO food coloring. Toss out cloudy mixtures as it harbors fungus. Wash feeders with hot water/soap/vinegar. Check the internet for more information.
- Never feed ducks/swans/birds bread! It expands in their stomach and tricks them into thinking they are full depriving them of nutritional value. Bread consumption causes incurable ‘angel wing’ distorting birds’ wings so they can’t fly, and they die. Pet/bird/feed stores carry inexpensive healthy grains that birds love.
- Hang bird feeders higher than six feet so cats can’t jump up and catch birds.
- Purr-chase a colorful "Birdsbesafe" clown collar for your cats so as they stealthily move, the collar’s bright colors alert birds. Works better than bells!
- Place paper hearts on your windows to stop birds from flying into them.
- Freezing weather - put up a shop light next to the hummingbird feeder to prevent nectar from freezing.
Cat Winter Homes
Build a cat home for feral cats protecting them from cold weather.
- 30-gallon tote
- cut 51/2" hole inside of tote
- Insert a Styrofoam cooler.
- Add straw or towel bedding
- Add Styrofoam lid
- Top off with the tote’s lid.
NOTE: After they have moved into their new home, add a flap of heavy fabric to protect them from winds.
Tell us your pet tip, miracle, memory, adventure or humorous event!
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