As colder weather and winter holidays approach, many of our pets may need some special care. There are special precautions that you can take around the house to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Geographic areas vary widely in weather and each may have their own hazards. We will concentrate our discussion on pets in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

In our milder climate we see fleas and mosquitoes even in the winter months because we rarely get a hard freeze that lasts more than a few days. For this reason it is important to continue your flea and heartworm preventatives even in the colder months.

Proper shelter is a must for pets during the winter. Indoor pets should have a bed or kennel in a warm draft free area of the house. Older pets may experience problems with joint pain during cold, wet weather. They may need extra care or medication during these times. The heaters in our house tend to dry the air and over time this can lead to dry skin for your pet. If you notice your pet itching and having “dandruff” it may need topical or oral skin moisturizers. Outdoor pets need a warm insulated house that will protect them from wind and moisture. If wind, rain, ice or temperature conditions become severe then your pet should be brought inside. Be aware that many animals, especially cats, may seek warmth inside the engine compartment of you car. It is a good idea during cold weather to knock on the hood of cars that have been parked outside overnight to “scare “ any cats out before you start the engine. Staying warm requires extra calories so pets that stay outdoors may need extra food – this does not apply to pets that spend most of their time in the house. If temperatures drops below freezing be sure to remove any ice from your outdoor pet’s water bowl.

As the temperature drops many pets are moved into the garage or storage shed. This provides good protection from the cold but potentially exposes the pet to several toxic substances. Antifreeze is fatal to dogs and cats in relatively small doses. Unless you take your pet to the veterinarian for treatment immediately after drinking antifreeze it is almost impossible to save their life. Snow removal salt, rat poisons, insecticides and cleaning chemicals are also toxic to pets and should not be stored where the pet has access to them.

During the holidays there are some special hazards to consider. People food is often not well tolerated by our pets. It may cause vomiting and diarrhea or in extreme cases may cause a fatal inflammation of the pancreas. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate is toxic to dogs and ingestion requires veterinary attention. Mistletoe, Holly and Hibiscus can be very toxic when ingested. Poinsettia, Balsam, Juniper, Cedar, Pine and Fir have low levels of toxicity for pets. The liquid in bubbling Christmas tree lights and the chemicals in fire salts (salts that make you fireplace fire burn different colors) can be lethal when ingested. Christmas tree preservatives, snow flock, Styrofoam, ornaments, tinsel and the liquid in snow globes all have low levels of toxicity or cause physical irritation to the stomach and intestines. Batteries, perfume oils, plastic model cement and epoxy adhesive are highly toxic when ingested. Aftershave lotion, cologne, and alcoholic beverages have moderate toxicity depending on the amount ingested. Super glue, paints, crayons, markers and pencils all have low toxicity but may cause irritation of the mucous membranes or intestinal tract. With decorated Christmas trees it is important to hang all ornaments, lights and tinsel above the reach of pets. Be sure to pick up any tinsel that falls to the floor since cats love to play with it and may swallow it, which can lead to intestinal obstruction.

We hope that these tips help you and your pet enjoy the cool weather and holiday season. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our clinic.