Keeping Your Fur Babies Safe and Cosy this Winter

With the colder months now upon us, we thought it is a good time to share a few tips for keeping our fur babies safe and happy.

Protect Your Furbabies from the Cold

Most dogs love nothing better than going for a daily walk or two, but in the case of extreme weather, or even just moderately cold weather, it might be best to check that they do not get too cold.

Although here in WA we are not usually subject to the same wildly fluctuating temperatures as our Eastern counterparts, we still feel the effects. Just like their human pawrents, dogs can get cold in wintertime and should be protected against ailments such as dry noses, frostbite, and hypothermia. While it is great to wrap your dog up in a raincoat or jacket to keep them warm, make sure it does not restrict their movement.

Keep Your Dog Warm and Comfortable Indoors

If your fur baby is shivering or shaking, acting anxious, or seeking warm places, it is a sign they are feeling the cold. Generally speaking, if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for them. Keep them indoors, making sure their dog bed or resting place is elevated and away from drafts, and you can add an extra blanket to keep them extra cozy.

Protect Your Dog’s Paws from Cold Weather

As their paws are not protected, you could look into protective booties to keep their little feet nice and warm when they play outside or go for a walk. Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air, chilly rain, and sometimes sleet can cause chapped paws and itchy flaking skin. Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home is one of the causes.

Towel dry your fur baby as soon as you come in, paying special attention to their feet and in between their toes. Sometimes massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectorants into their paw pads before going out can help too.

Provide Extra Care and Nutrition to Your Dogs in Winter

Our fur babies also burn extra energy by trying to stay warm, so feeding them a little bit more can provide much-needed calories. As always, make sure there is plenty of water for them to drink- it helps to keep them hydrated and their skin less dry.

Bathing and Grooming Tips for Your Fur Babies in Winter

Bathe them as little as possible since it can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If you must bathe them, make sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.

An Interesting Aside on Parked Cars and Wildlife

Parked cars can attract cats and small wildlife seeking warmth, which may crawl under the hood. Before starting your engine, bang on the hood to scare them away to avoid harm to animals.

Still, Summer Summer time!

Summer is not over just yet and predictions are that March will be a hot one!

With temperatures predicted to soar again over 30c next week, now is the time to protect our pooches on those summer walks or outdoors and in gardens.

Temperatures Rising

Is the ground too hot to walk on? If it burns your bare feet, you can be sure it burns theirs too.

Try the 7 second rule – test your bare foot (or back of your hand) on the footpath. If it’s too hot to keep it there for up to 7 seconds, then yep, it is too hot for them to walk on.

Try to plan your walk early morning or late evening, and of course, avoid the hottest part of the day where the risk of heatstroke is at its highest (and can be life threatening).

If you’re leaving your pup/s outside make sure they always have access to shade.

Try to find shady grassed areas for walks. Much more pleasant for those little bare pads of theirs!

Slip-Slop-Slap

This might come as a surprise, but your pup can get sunburnt just like you. For short haired, hairless or fair skin pooches this can be especially true.

You can pop some sunscreen on their nose, belly and ears for extra protection.

Be Safe, Hydrate

Top tips to remember for those warmer days;

• Always keep an eye on their water bowl levels – keep topped up and not in direct sunlight
• Add an extra bowl of water as backup (and water bowls should be nice and fresh daily as bacteria builds up)
• Add some ice blocks for them to lick or chew
• Slow your walks down
• Take a bowl and plenty of water with you on walks to keep your furry friend hydrated
• How about a small pool for your pampered pooch?? Clam Shells sold at Bunnings are a great hack
• A wet towel or blanket for them to lay on also works wonders to keep them cool

Dehydration Signs

• Look for signs of dehydration and overheating such as drooling, excessive panting or lethargy
• Move them to a cool area and apply some icepacks or cold towels to their head neck and chest
• Give them cool water to drink

If they are not improving or are showing signs of heatstroke (see below) please seek assistance from a vet immediately.

Heatstroke

Certain breeds, as well as overweight or elderly dogs can be more susceptible to heatstroke. This can be due to their physical features limiting their ability to maintain their normal body temperatures.

It can also be due to their breathing being compromised by the shape of their skulls (such as the shorter muzzled brachycephalic breeds). Some of the highest breeds at risk include;

• Chow Chow
• Bulldog
• French Bulldog
• Dogue De Bordeaux
• Pug

NEVER LEAVE THEM IN A VEHICLE
Even an overcast day with the windows down, dogs can still overheat and die in a short time.

Extra care should be taken to avoid heat stress and watch out for any signs of dehydration or heatstroke. 

EARLY SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE
Whatever the type of pup you have, it is important to recognise early signs of heatstroke and act quickly.

Look for;

• Excessive panting
• Vomiting
• Excessive drooling
• Blood in stools
• Collapsing

EMERGENCY FIRST AID

Cool your dog down by taking them to a cool, shady area (or preferably someone where with a fan if nearby). Pour water over their body (room temperature or cooler) and seek veterinary attention immediately.

Prevention is of course key.

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PET TIPS for the ‘party season’

Summer and the festive season are here. They bring all sorts of delights including luscious food, lazy days and sunny rays and celebrations with loved ones.

However, it is important to be aware that they also bring risks to our beloved fur babies.

Most of us know that overindulgence is common.   

RICH FOODS

You may think that you’re treating your pet when you share a bit of the Christmas ham. Remember that your best friend’s tolerance for rich and sometimes fatty foods is much lower than ours. It can increase the risk of contacting pancreatitis. It is often a sudden, severe and painful illness that can come from your fur kids overdoing it on leftovers and raiding the bins. Keep your bins well sealed and out of reach. High fat meats are especially dangerous for dogs- so the Christmas trimmings and fat are off the menu.

POISONOUS FOODS

Onion and garlic are poisonous for dogs and cats and macadamia nuts are often associated with toxicity and diarrhoea in dogs. Chocolate should never be shared with them- it is lethal. Raisins, grapes and sultanas often found in fruit cakes and mince pies are toxic and off the menu.

NOISE

Celebrations are an integral part of the end of the year. Night’s like New Year’s Eve can be one of the greatest party nights of the year-for humans. For our pets, they can be times of strange noises and lights.

Best to keep them indoors during fireworks displays and the noise and commotion of social events. A comfortable, familiar space in the family home, a cardboard box with a towel cover etc will help make them feel safe and secure and more at ease. Cats will often hide during noisy events and will emerge when things quieten down. Dogs can benefit from other measures too (if you are out – try putting on the television or some music to mask the noise from outside) Their hearing is several times as sensitive as humans!

VISITORS

While our fur babies enjoy the limelight that come wit their human’s social events, some do not deal well with extra attention. Ensure you can allow them to escape from the mayhem to a safe area. Also make sure visitors know that they should not feed your pets.

THE HOME ENVIRONMENT

It is a great time too to make sure your pet is unable to escape through any openings in their environment.  While they us unreservedly, they have a sense of curiosity which could lead them to wander. This is especially likely around times such as New Year’s Eve where strange sounds, vibrations, smells and lights can confuse them and cause their flee instinct to kick in. They can panic and flee. While you have taken all the steps to make sure this does not happen, make sure your pet is microchipped and details are up to date. 

An idea for preventing bad reactions is to plan a reasonably long walk, make sure they are fed properly at the correct time for them. A tired and well-fed fur baby may be less likely to get anxious.

FLEAS + TICKS

During the summer, ticks and fleas are at their worst so make sure your pets’ treatments are up to date. Tick paralysis can be fatal. If you are travelling with your pets always check if where you are going is a tick hot spot.  

SMALL PETS

Do remember that your small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets are not immune to the sounds and lights of nights such as New Year’s Eve. Apply many of the same tips to keep them feeling comfortable safely home in their living space with plenty of food and water.

If you have any concerns, it is always a great idea to talk to your vet who knows your pets … and have a safe and wonderful party season full of fun with your furry friends and family!

x Jenny

Things are returning to ‘normal’

Recent months have been tough on us, but our pets have actually LOVED having us working from home … and whilst we’re all thrilled to have things starting to return to ‘normal’ – this will be a difficult time for our fur-family.

As always, we’re here when you are ready to start planning your next getaway or work trip .. and we are also here to do daily visits to offer walkies, hugs and special care for your pets as you start heading back to the office.

Get in touch with Jenny Hodder or jump on our website and fill out our enquiry form to get a quote https://www.houseandpetsitters.com.au/inquiry-form/