Winter Health Tips for Your Pet ESA

Winter is just as hard a time for pets as it is for humans. A lot of pet owners live under the impression that animals can survive the cold better since they have a natural fur coat to them protected. This isn’t necessarily the case. Like us, these fur-covered creatures are also used to the warmth of indoor shelter and wintertime can be just as unbearable for them as it is for us. However, with the following winter care tips, you will be able to give your little friend a warm and safe environment.  

• Provide Your Pet With Extra Warmth

When we start feeling cold, we tend to drench ourselves in layers of warm clothes – socks, jumpers, scarves, boots, gloves, you name it. But what do we do for our pets? A lot of pets are not suited for the cold and thus call for a warmer environment.

There are coats designed for cats and dogs of all sizes and needs, which includes indoor and outdoor clothes. You can invest in such pet clothing, and on top of that, you should make sure that your pet doesn’t stay outside for long periods of time so they can stay as warm as possible.

• Watch Out For Salt And Melted Ice

Strolling outside with your pet for walks is part of life, and leashed dogs and harnessed cats love their regular explorations through the city streets. However, in winter, the streets and sidewalks become heavily covered in road salt and melted ice, which can be uncomfortable on bare paws or even deadly if consumed. So to avoid this problem, take your pets out in parks, very far away from treated roads. If your pet has been trotting in slush or ice, thoroughly clean his feet right after you get home to prevent him from ingesting the chemicals when licking himself later.

• Watch Out For Poison Baits for Rodents

Every year during winter time, the influx of mice and rats in houses increase in search of shelter. This causes the use of poisons and baits to increase too as homeowners start freaking out. These poisons can pose a great risk to the health of your pet and can lead to an array of problems, such as decreased appetite, blood stained discharge, blood-stained urine, breathing issues, or even sudden death. Even if you are careful in placing your baits and poisons away far away from your pet, you still have to be careful about the baits and poisons present in your surroundings (think, your neighbors). If your pet shows any signs of being poisoned, seek professional assistance without delay.

• Properly Hydrate Your Pet

When the mercury is down, and pets are not as active as they usually are, many owners overlook the importance of keeping their little furry friends properly hydrated. But no matter what time of year it is, it is extremely crucial to make sure that your pets have access to clean and fresh water all the time, whenever they need a drink.

• Exercise Your Pet

Exercising your pet in winter may sound like the last thing you want to do, but that is no reason to spoil the health of your little friend. Pets that are cooped up indoors for extended periods of time become restless and start to show signs of aggression and unwanted behavior. Plus, they need daily physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy.

If you are too lazy to step outside, set up indoor games, such as running up and down the stairs, blowing pet-safe bubbles or offering your pet some interesting toys that will keep them physically and mentally occupied.