The cold temperatures can be a lot for our pets, which is why it’s important that we do all we can to keep them warm and comfortable during this harsh season. It can be hard to maintain their safety when you’re busy with holiday festivities and family gatherings, but thankfully, there are winter safety pet sitting services available!
Happy 2022 to all of you! Now that winter is underway, here are a few tips on how to keep your pets sitting safe and secure in the frigid temperatures.
Winter Safety Pet Sitting Services Guides
Ice-melts are bad for paws
Always wash your pet’s feet and stomach with a towel after walking in the winter weather. Commercial ice-melts are irritating to their feet and skin. In addition, we don’t want our precious pets licking the chemicals off their paws as it can cause gastrointestinal distress. Please use pet friendly alternatives to regular ice-melt at home on your patios and sidewalks. These can be purchased on-line and at retail outlets. If you are looking for a less expensive pet friendly solution to commercial ice-melt, there are a few formulas you can create from regular household items. I have listed two of those below.
Vinegar Mixture
Ingredients: White vinegar and water
Directions: Mix one part vinegar and one part warm water. In this example, we used one cup each. Make sure to stir the solution well. You can always add more vinegar if you have a lot of ice to melt. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle. Spray this on your windshield to melt ice (or frost). You can also pour it directly on snowy or icy surfaces.
Rubbing Alcohol Mixture
Ingredients: Rubbing alcohol, dish soap and warm water
Directions: To a half gallon of warm water, add four tablespoons of rubbing alcohol. Then add one teaspoon, or about six drops, of Dawn dish soap. Mix together. Pour this mixture directly on any icy surface. Use a watering can if spreading over a larger surface area.
If you need a little more ice melting power, use Kosher Salt. It’s pet safe and will help get rid of the ice.
Take care of your pet’s coat and keep them warm in winter.
Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim him to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry his skin, and don’t neglect the hair between his toes. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats.
Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet.
If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.
Outdoor Pets
If pets cannot come indoors, make sure they are protected by a dry, draft-free enclosure large enough to allow them to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold in the pet’s body heat. Raise the floor a few inches off the ground and cover it with cedar shavings or straw. Turn the enclosure away from the wind and cover the doorway with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic. If possible, provide a heat source for them such as a heat lamp.
Livestock need to be protected from the wind and wet weather by a shelter as well. Give them access to a safe, dry area with shelter and preferably bedding such as straw to keep them warm.
Remember to watch all outdoor animals and livestock’s water source. Make sure it is not frozen or that the access is not blocked by snow drifts.
Schedule Winter Safety Pet Sitting Services
Inside and Out Pet Care wishes you a safe and healthy New Year for you and your furry friends! We care about you. To schedule winter safety pet sitting services, contact us at 970-297-8689 or visit Insideandoutpetcarellc.com.