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Fall and Winter Pet Health

December 19, 2016 by Mary Telesz

Fall and Winter Pet HealthFor many people, fall and winter are favorite times of the year. Between pumpkin spice everything, sweater weather and the holidays, there is so much to enjoy in these seasons. But for our four-legged companions, fall and winter mean something a little bit different — which is why it is up to pet owners to take extra caution during these months to protect their favorite companions.

Grooming

Most dogs and cats shed their summer coats in the fall, before putting on a thicker, heavier coat for the winter. Help your pets during this process with regular brushing, every day or every week as needed. Not only will this make your pet happy, but you will find yourself doing a lot less cleaning by brushing out the fur yourself instead of sweeping it up later!

You should also avoid shaving your dog’s fur too close during the fall or winter. While it may be tempting to help rush up the shedding process, remember that fur is our pets’ primary means of protection from the elements. A close crop may look nice, but it could be dangerous to animals who do not have any other means of staying warm.

When it comes to your pets’ paws and coats, remember that different weather conditions can have an impact on their overall health. Some of the things that we use to keep ourselves safe — like salt on roads and sidewalks — can be harmful to our pets. When your dog or cat comes in from the outdoors, be sure to remove ice, snow, salt from their coats and paws as soon as possible. If their skin looks reddish, white or gray, or is scaly or peeling, contact your veterinarian immediately. Check the paw pads for cracks or redness. It is possible that your pet has suffered frostbite if he or she was out too long in extremely cold temperatures. You could also try massaging an ointment — such as petroleum jelly or bag balm — onto your pet’s pads before going outside. It provides a layer of protection that can aid in preventing frostbite or irritation from salt or other harsh chemicals.

If you decide to take your pet on a walk when it is cold, wet or snowy, remember to bring a towel along. You can wipe off your dog or cat’s paws as you walk to alleviate a cold, stinging sensation. When you get back inside, thoroughly dry off all four paws and your pet’s stomach, removing any hanging ice balls or snow to help keep your pet warm and comfortable.

Protection from the Elements

With fall and winter come colder temperatures — and even snow and ice, depending on where you live. If your pet largely resides outdoors, be sure to provide them with a dry shelter that is out of the wind. Bring them inside during severe weather, which includes rain, snow, or any type of extreme temperature. If your pets stay inside, make sure that your pets have a warm, dry area to stay and sleep. If your dog or cat sleeps on the floor, consider buying bedding to keep him or her off of cold, drafty floors, and make sure to wash the bedding frequently.

When your pet is outside in cold weather, protect him or her from the elements with a winter wardrobe. While their furry coats offer protection against the elements, it may not be enough. It may seem silly, but responsible pet care often includes buying some accessories for your dog or cat. This could include special booties to protect their paws from frostbite, ice and salt, a coat or even a hat. Pay close attention to the condition of your dog or cat’s pads, looking for firm, waxy skin or blisters — both are signs of frostbite.

You should also follow a simple rule when it comes to being outside in the colder months. If it is too cold for you, it is likely too cold for your dog or cat. Providing responsible pet care means making sure that your pet isn’t outside when conditions are harsh or the cold is severe.

Changing Diets

When it’s cold, our pets may require a little extra food to help keep them warm. Their bodies might expend extra energy — and therefore calories — to stay warm. During the fall and winter, their daily food intake may need to be increased accordingly to give them the energy to stay warm. However, indoor pets may actually expend less energy as they exercise less and may even sleep more. Their diets may need to be adjusted to prevent them from gaining weight during the fall and winter when they aren’t outside as much. Your veterinarian can guide you to making good food choices for your pet during the fall and winter months.

For water, remember that having fresh, clean water is essential to pet care no matter what time of the year it may be. Even inside pets may find that their water bowls develop a thin layer of ice. Whether your pets’ water bowls are inside or outside, check them regularly to be sure that they are not iced over, and remove the ice to give your dog or cat access to fresh water.

Avoiding Hazards

Fall and winter both bring unique hazards to our pets, many of which come from the very things that we humans like most about the season’s holidays. Whether the hazards come from food, drink, decorations or the temperature change, staying on top of these hazards is the key to providing excellent pet care.

Holiday food is a prime example. While adults and kids alike love Halloween candy, it isn’t good for your pets — especially chocolate. Be sure to keep all candy up and out of your pets’ reach, and call your vet immediately if you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate. Other holiday food for Thanksgiving and Christmas can be similarly dangerous. Alcoholic beverages, candy, bones from meat and fish can all be hazardous to your pet’s health. This is true even if none of these items are toxic to your pet — well-meaning guests can easily overfeed your dog or cat, leading to vomiting, diarrhea and other sickness. Let holiday guests know that they should only give your dog or cat “people food” if they ask you first — or simply tell them that your pets don’t eat table scraps at all, and keep your pets away from the holiday table.

Decorations always carry a substantial risk of danger for dogs and cats. Some favorite holiday plants are actually toxic to pets, such as poinsettias, mistletoe, holly and Christmas roses. If you have them in your house, be sure to keep them out of your pets’ reach. If you suspect that they have ingested one of these plants, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Similarly, non-edible decorations can pose hazards to your pets. Everything from electrical cords for lights to candles to ribbons to wrapping paper, tinsels, ornaments and spray-on snow can be dangerous to your beloved animal companion. Make sure that your pet does not chew on any of these items — and cover up electrical cords to keep them away from curious cats and dogs. Never tie ribbons or other festive trimmings on your pets; it could be dangerous for them if it gets caught on something or if they get tangled up.

Beyond holidays, the colder weather can present hidden dangers for pet owners. Cats in particular love to curl up in warm spaces, such as on radiators or even on car engines. Make sure that your pet isn’t on too hot of a spot to avoid burns — and always check under the hood if you can’t find your kitten and suspect that he or she might be napping on the engine. Also in the garage, be aware that many animals like the taste and smell of antifreeze. Be aware that even small amounts of this toxic chemical can kill a pet. This can happen in a completely unintentional way, such as if your pet walks through a puddle of antifreeze and then licks its paws.

Worst of all, the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning do not show up for several days, so you may not ever know that they have ingested it until it is too late. That’s because the chemicals from the antifreeze form crystals in the kidney, which is what ultimately leads to death. The best way to protect your pet from accidental antifreeze poisoning is to either purchase non-toxic antifreeze, or be incredibly careful about using regular antifreeze. This includes immediately and thoroughly cleaning up any spills and storing antifreeze in containers on high shelves where your pets cannot reach them. If you suspect that your pet might have ingested antifreeze because it is convulsing or acting intoxicated, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Pet Health Help From Pet Care Professionals

If you want to keep your pet safe and happy this fall and winter, follow the above tips to avoid many of the dangers associated with fall and winter. You may also consider using the services of a pet care professional, who can provide pet sitting or dog walking to your beloved companion throughout the cold weather months. Contact Paw Pals today to learn more about our pet care services!

Filed Under: Pet Care

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Centreville – 20120, 20121
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Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
laceyrt
laceyrt
18:03 08 Mar 23
The folks at Paw Pals pet sitting are fantastic to work with. This review includes a bit of a long story but goes to show how dedicated they are to their job and the care they have for the animals they watch over. I reached out to Paw Pals, even though I live outside their service area, in a bit of a panic because our scheduled dog sitter for our family vacation suddenly wasn't available. The local sitters we've used in the past seemed like they wouldn't be able to accommodate us on such late notice and so we were scouring the internet for other options.When I submitted a request to Paw Pals, I expected to get a polite no thank you - you're out of our service area. Instead I got a call from Jen, who was so kind, helpful and accommodating and essentially bent over backwards to help set up a sitter for us. We met the sitter at her home and it was more of the same. So friendly and welcoming to our dog and fully prepared to watch her for two weeks.We ultimately didn't end up booking with Paw Pals, only because our local sitter had an opening that allowed someone to stay in home with our dog (who is a very anxious senior shepherd-collie mix). But just based on the limited experience I had with them, I would highly recommend Paw Pals. These folks are fantastic and I only wish we lived closer so we could utilize their other services on a regular basis. Five stars all the way!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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