Watertown— During the cold winter months, it's vital to know how to care for your pets. When the temperature drops, dogs and cats want to be just as warm and comfortable as you.
According to Veterinarian Dr. Christopher Jank of the Watertown Animal Hospital, snow and especially salt residue from snow plows can cause quite a bit of irritation to a dog’s paw, so it's important to keep paws clean from ice, snow and salt build up. “Some breeds are simply not used to the snow and cold weather. You might need to invest in a jacket for your dog, especially when taking them outside”, said Dr. Jank. “Animals can get frostbite if they do not get shelter. An outdoor cat will sometimes get frostbite, I have seen them lose a part of their ears.”
Dr. Jank has some simple precautionary measures when caring for your pets during winter months:
· Get your pets seen by a Vet and keep updated on check ups.
· Do not leave dogs in the car for lengthy periods of time, especially during extreme cold
weather conditions.
· If your dog is not used to cold weather, purchasing a jacket might be a wise investment.
· Always clean paws after walking outside in the snow, this will prevent skin irritation from ice,
snow and salt.
· Make sure your dog or cat has shelter from the cold.
