Don’t forget the paws!
Your pets’ paws go through a lot in the winter from the cold wet environments outdoors, to the warm dry air indoors. They also encounter potential irritants via salt and chemicals used to melt the snow and ice. Be sure to keep an eye on your pets’ paws for any cracking or flaky skin. To help protect your pets’ paws you can use petroleum jelly, socks, or booties when they go outside, especially when going for long walks. When your pet comes inside make sure to thoroughly wipe their feet and remove any clumps of snow or ice between the pads. Antifreeze and ice melt can be dangerous if your pet were to ingest it by licking it off their paws, licking contaminated areas outdoors, or by ingesting it in any way. Watch your pets closely when they are outside, try not to let them eat snow or lick ice, especially if it has been treated with any form of ice melt, including salt and sand. Contact your local veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your furry friend’s paw health this winter.
Pets in Cars
Thinking about bringing Max or Sadie along while you run your errands? If the answer is yes, use caution! Pets are susceptible to heatstroke if exposed to excessively high temperatures, just like people are, and the inside of a car is one of the places where they’re most at risk. This is due to the fact that some owners leave their pets in cars, thinking they’ll be gone for only a few minutes, but they end up being gone for much longer. Others think the interior car temperature won’t get hot enough to pose a threat…but believe it or not, on a 78-degree day, the interior temperature can quickly reach over 100 degrees, putting your pet at risk for heatstroke.
So don’t take any chances with your companion. Unless you can bring them to your destination or bring someone else along to sit in the car with them, leave them at home, where they can be safe from the summer heat.
