Caring for Pets in Cold Weather
Veterinary Wellness Partners • Jan 02, 2014
Caring for Pets in Cold Weather
Veterinary Wellness Partners
Thu, 01/02/2014 - 1:38pm
Caring for Pets During Cold Weather
In Akron, Barberton, Norton and the surrounding regions of Ohio, the weather can turn brutally cold. This extreme cold presents additional risks to our pets, especially those that are outdoor pets. Below are some key areas to keep your pet safe during this cold weather in Ohio.
- Keep all pets indoors whenever possible. If that is not possible, make certain that he/she has adequate shelter from the snow, wind and cold. An enclosed building or garage (see tip #3) can provide additional insulation from the cold and wind. Adding a heat lamp (see tip #2) or a small “cat house” is even better.
- Some small outbuilding and garages can be kept warm by suing a heating lamp. Heat lamps should be used with extreme caution, as they may increase the risk of fire. These should not be used in very small spaces. Pets can also get burned if they come into direct contact with the heat source (mainly the bulb).
- Cats often seek out warm areas to hide in during extreme cold. One such area is located under the hood of a car after it is done running. We recommend to always bang on the hood of your car prior to starting it up. If the cat is there when you start the car, they can be severely injured or killed.
- It is a good idea to keep your dog on a leash at all times when you are outside. This is even more important in the cold, especially when snow and ice are involved. More dogs are lost during the winter months than any other season. We think this is due to the fact that dogs can easily lose their scent (scent trails) since these routes are covered over with the ice and snow.
- We recommend that all pets receive an identification microchip, such as the Home Again microchip system. These microchips are implanted under the skin, so they remain with your pet at all times. At minimum, all pets should have updated and easy to read pet ID tags.
- After returning from a trip outside, wipe your pet down to remove snow, ice and moisture. The paws are a very important portion of the body to clean, as ice and snow easily clings to the hair on the bottom of the feet. This can lead to cracked feet or pads and potentially frostbite. You should also wipe down the bottom of your dog’s abdomen (stomach) to remove snow, ice and any possible chemical residues (salt, antifreeze, and other potentially harmful substances)
- We do not recommend shaving your pet’s hair coat down in the winter. This may be obvious, but the hair coat is their thermal protection against the bitter cold that we tend to see in Barberton, Norton, Akron and the surrounding areas of Summit and Stark Counties.
- For breeds with naturally shorter hair coats, we recommend a blanket, sweater or coat. These help to keep your pet both dry and warm.
- Do not leave your pet inside a car. The inside temperatures in a car can drop rapidly, resulting in an animal freezing to death. Pets that are left inside a running vehicle could potentially inhale fumes from the exhaust, or even put the vehicle into motion.
- Like babies, puppies are not as good at thermoregulation as adult dogs. If your puppy seems to be sensitive to the extreme cold, you may opt to paper train indoors. Some dogs and puppies can still be trained outside, but they may not like the cold on their feet. In these cases, we recommend shoveling an area of grass to keep the amount of snow and ice limited.
- Older pets are also more sensitive to the cold. If you have an elderly pet, let them outside only to relieve themselves, allowing them to return inside as quickly as possible.
- Oftentimes, we do not consider the indoor environment of your pet. It is best to keep pets off of direct contact with the floors. Make sure to locate pet beds away from doors, vents and other drafty areas.
- Double and triple check that you vehicle is not leaking antifreeze. Unfortunately, antifreeze is very sweet in taste, yet highly lethal.
- Have a horse? Click HERE for cold weather tips for Horses (you will be redirected to our partner clinic, The Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.)
Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is here for you: We strive to provide relevant and helpful pet care tips to our clients and their beloved pets.
Click HERE for Thanksgiving tips for your pets.
We are always available for animal emergencies through our Orrville Veterinary Clinic. You can reach us after hours by calling (330)682-2971.
This article is written for Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic by Dr. Jeff Fink
By Admin
•
07 Feb, 2024
Not all pets can swim – carefully monitor your pet near water until you are sure that he or she can swim without sinking. Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in chewing gum and can be deadly to pets. This chemical is especially dangerous because it is sweet-smelling and tasting. Be sure to keep pets away from purses or contents of pockets, candy baskets, etc. Know your pet’s normal temperature, pulse and breathing rate; gum and inner eyelid membrane color should normally be a healthy pink hue. Take a picture of yourself with your pet for purposes of identification. This way, if your pet is lost or stolen, you can prove that the pet is yours. Never feed your pet chocolate, moldy cheese, onions, raisins, or grapes, as these are poisonous. Many common houseplants (poinsettia, varieties of philodendron) are poisonous to your pet. Keep a pet emergency first aid kit handy, complete with emergency phone numbers for your veterinarian and local 24 hour emergency facility. Think ahead and have an evacuation plan in case of emergency. Do you know which local hotels accept pets? Make sure your pet has an ID tag or microchip – especially when travelling. Never give your pet human medication unless it is prescribed specifically by your veterinarian. Carry an extra leash in your car to use as a collar/lead or muzzle. Watch your pet closely when mulching or gardening, as cocoa-scented mulch can be harmful to dogs if ingested. Never leave your pet in a parked car.
By Veterinary Wellness Partners
•
06 Feb, 2024
Veterinary Wellness Partners (VWP) based in Orrville is pleased to announce the addition of Southern Medina Veterinary Clinic (SMVC) to their family of companion and farm animal care practices. Southern Medina Veterinary Clinic, formerly known as Medina County Animal Clinic, is conveniently located at 4840 Poe Road directly behind Centerra Co-Op on Route 3. Dr. Richard Roberts, who has owned and operated the office for over 20 years, will retire June, 2021. The new veterinarians will work together to bring high quality standards that our existing clients have come to expect. Dr. Marissa Hofstetter will lead the team with over 10 years of experience in canine and feline medicine. Dr. Kellie Purucker and Dr. Cheyenne Davis graduated in 2021 and recently joined VWP. The current staff of Jenn, Lauren, and Amanda will continue to assist in providing modern, comprehensive, and compassionate care for both established and new patients. "We are excited to share our VWP vision and values as we grow in the Medina area. During the transition from Medina County Animal Clinic to Southern Medina Veterinary Clinic, some minor changes will be noticeable, but the family feel will remain the same. We are eager to accept the reins from Dr. Roberts and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement," said Dr. Mel Wenger, President. Veterinary Wellness Partners is a group of locally owned veterinary clinics and a premier pet lodging facility. Dr. Jeff Fink, Dr. Marissa Hofstetter, Dr. Gabe Middleton and Dr. Mel Wenger, formed VWP in 2018 to establish a unifying entity for their multiple locations and services. Orrville Veterinary Clinic is the home office and offers both companion and farm animal services. Orrville Pet Spa & Resort sits adjacent to Orrville Veterinary Clinic and has deluxe lodging accommodations for both dogs and cats, as well as a doggy daycare program. Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic, and Elm Ridge Animal Hospital all provide comprehensive care to companion animals. Overall, VWP cares for pets and farm animals in Medina, Stark, Summit, Wayne, and Holmes counties. To schedule an appointment at Southern Medina Veterinary Clinic please call 330.722.1188. Visit the VWP website at www.vwpohio.com for more information.
By Veterinary Wellness Partners
•
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Pet Safety Tips
Veterinary Wellness Partners
Mon, 08/22/2022 - 1:19pm
Pet Safety Tips
Not all pets can swim – carefully monitor your pet near water until you are sure that he or she can swim without sinking.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in chewing gum and can be deadly to pets. This chemical is especially dangerous because it is sweet-smelling and tasting. Be sure to keep pets away from purses or contents of pockets, candy baskets, etc.
Know your pet’s normal temperature, pulse and breathing rate; gum and inner eyelid membrane color should normally be a healthy pink hue.
Take a picture of yourself with your pet for purposes of identification. This way, if your pet is lost or stolen, you can prove that the pet is yours.
Never feed your pet chocolate, moldy cheese, onions, raisins, or grapes, as these are poisonous.
Many common houseplants (poinsettia, varieties of philodendron) are poisonous to your pet.
Keep a pet emergency first aid kit handy, complete with emergency phone numbers for your veterinarian and local 24 hour emergency facility.
Think ahead and have an evacuation plan in case of emergency. Do you know which local hotels accept pets?
Make sure your pet has an ID tag or microchip – especially when travelling.
Never give your pet human medication unless it is prescribed specifically by your veterinarian.
Carry an extra leash in your car to use as a collar/lead or muzzle.
Watch your pet closely when mulching or gardening, as cocoa-scented mulch can be harmful to dogs if ingested.
Never leave your pet in a parked car.
By Veterinary Wellness Partners
•
16 Mar, 2021
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