Southern winters are still winter!

This winter has been the coldest one  I have seen in Charlotte, NC.  I’ve never had to deal with ice storms and snowy days with my dogs before.  So, I asked Dr Herman  of South Charlotte Animal Hospital to give me some pointers to share with our community on Winter Dog Safety.  Below is re-posted by Author’s permission.

Pet safety is very important all the year round. It is just as important to consider fall & winter weather here in the South!  Here are a few things to keep in mind in order to keep your pet safe and healthy throughout the cooler months.

Water Needs
It is horrible for your outdoor pet to become dehydrated. You can check the coat by lifting it. If it doesn’t fall back immediately but kind of slumps there, your pet could be becoming dehydrated and it’s dangerous.  This can cause kidney and bladder problems and…well… just make your pet sick.
During the summer it’s easy to remember putting out fresh water for your pets…simply because we’re so hot!  But please don’t forget your pets in the cooler seasons.  Put out clean water just as often.  The downside of this cooler weather is that leaves fall, and we neglect the ‘outdoor housekeeping’ since we’re not outside as much.  This makes for things that can ‘dirty up’ your pets water dish and create a ‘swamp’ in the water dish.  Not so great for Fido needing a fresh drink.  Keep it in mind.
Foot Protection
Don’t forget that we can still get frost here in the South and if you have an outdoor dog…consider their tootsies!  It is a mighty cold hard ground to walk on and if we get a real cold snap here…be sure to provide lots of blankets or padding to break the barrier and give them something to rest on.
Blankets
Put plenty of clean blankets in their outside houses to help provide warmth. And clean them often. It is actually best to just rotate them daily. You don’t want them full of dirt and bugs or damp and wet.  Talk about uncomfortable and icky!
If it rains, the blankets will get damp from your outdoor pet being wet. Be sure to change the blankets to keep a dry one on hand for your outdoor pets. You don’t want your pet lying on a frozen blanket. No more than a human could handle lying on a frozen blanket.
Poisons
Rat and mouse killers are used more commonly during colder weather. When using rat and mouse bait, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any rat or mouse bait contact us (or C.V.S. http://www.carolinavet.com/) immediately.

Flea & Tick
Also, please treat your pet for fleas and heartworm.  If your pet spends time outside it is very possible for your furry friend to get fleas and/or heartworm.  Both of which are nasty and one of which can be fatal.  Even in the winter months here in the South, it is still just as easy to get fleas or heartworm and quite honestly it’s one of those times that an ounce of prevention is worth a…life of a pet.

South Charlotte Animal Hospital is located 10833 Pineville Road Pineville, NC 28134
(704) 552-2005