PUPPY,
IT'S COLD OUTSIDE
New England winters can be frigid, and even though your pup likes
to frolic in the snow, it can be hard to tell how long is too long. Keep in mind the length of time your dog can spend
outside will vary greatly depending on breed, size, age, and previous acclimation, but here is a quick guide to keeping your
pup safe during the coldest of winter days.
Hypothermia
in dogs occurs when the body temperature falls below 99.5*F following exposure to cold environments without proper
shelter.
Frostbite occurs following cold exposure when
the body's temperature falls below 93*F or following the freezing of any body part or surface. In dogs, the
most common areas to become frostbitten are the tips of the ears, tail, external genitalia, and foot pads.
Frostbitten skin feels cold to the touch, appears pale, and may lack sensation when being touched. With thawing the
areas will swell and become painful and in a few days the tissue will shrink and become discolored. Within a couple
of weeks, the area may die, scab, and slough.
Treatment of both hypothermic and
frostbitten dogs includes gradual warming with blankets, warm rooms, and warm baths from 98-100*F. Be careful
of water bottles and heating pads being TOO hot! Severly frostbitten animals need veterinary care including warm intravenious
liquids, pain medication, and antibiotics.
Frostbite can occur on hairless
parts of the body in less than 20 minutes at temperatures of 4*F or lower. Keep in mind that while it may
feel warmer outside, wind chill can factor to a much lower temperature. Your dog should always have a wind break, if
not a break from the cold, and should NEVER be left in cold temperatures alone, especially those below 20*F.
Even though they sport a fur coat, some dogs may need extra protection from the
cold. Short-coated breeds with low levels of body fat (think Greyhounds, whippets, and toy breeds, etc.) are particularly
at risk. A warm, well fitting jacket can help, and you also may want to shorten your daily walks. With any
breed, a well groomed dog will help protect from the cold. After spending time in the snow and rain a neatly groomed,
mat-free coat will dry out faster than a dog who's coat has lacked attention. Well trimmed hair around the pads of the
foot can help eliminate some of the snow and ice that will build up around the feet. Keep in mind that it's your responsibility
to keep your pooch safe. Chances are if you're feeling cold and uncomfortable, your pup is, too!
Rock salt is bad for your puppy's paws, too. It can be corrosive
to the pads of the feet and in extreme cases cause bleeding and scarring. Not only is rock salt bad for your pups, but
it's bad for the environment, too. ZPUP carries Safe Paw, a 100% salt-free, environmentally safe alternative to rock
salt.
FIX A BOWL
FOR ME, PLEASE!
If you like to share your holiday meals with your pups, you must
do it the right way. Most commercial pet food companies tell you not to feed anything but their poor quality ingredients,
which are "nutritionally balanced" to your pet, but as long as it's done the right way, it's not the end of
the world. Use these tips to safely enjoy your holiday dinners with your dog.
NEVER feed cooked bones. Cooked bones of any sort (baked, roasted, boiled, etc.) can
splinter into sharp fragments. Bones that crumble when cooked can cause intentional blockages. This one is
just not a good idea.
If you feed mostly dry kibble during the rest of the year,
rich, fatty meats, skin, and ham can cause diarrhea or other stomach upset. The safest
to give are lean meats like turkey breast without any fat or skin attached. Greasy gravies are a big no-no as well.
A bit of mashed or sweet potatoes are ok, but not too much as
they are already high in calories. Most veggies are ok, too, but not if cooked in a casserole
with other ingredients. Make sure to finely chop or puree any vegetables, as dogs can have trouble digesting vegetables
if they aren't processed for them first.
Stay away from sweets!
Sweets are a big no-no for dogs. Keep some pure, canned pumpkin (with NO other ingredients added) on hand
to share. It's a great treat for your pup frozen in a toy or mixed on top of his food.
Keep in mind that overfeeding in general can make your pup sick.
If you're going to be giving your dog some extras during the holidays, make sure to cut down on his regular food to make up
for the addition in calories!
Happy Holidays!
