Winter Pet Safety Tips

So the leaves have turned that beautiful red colour and have fallen to the ground.

The temperature has dropped and we have dug out our hats and gloves to walk the dogs. Along with the winter come a few
things which you will need to consider to keep your furry friends safe, Read our Winter Pet Safety Tips.

Antifreeze

As you prepare your car for the winter weather you might be adding antifreeze to your tank. Please take care to mop up any spills carefully as the ethylene glycol (also found in hydraulic brake fluid) can be fatal to cats and dogs who drink it. You might think that is unlikely but cats in particular are very partial to the sweet taste of anti freeze! The poison affects the brain, liver and kidney.

Signs include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Depression
• Wobbly or drunken type movements
• Twitching muscles- fitting
• Rapid flicking movements of the eye ball
• Increased thirst and urination
• Lack of appetite
• Oral ulcers
• Salivation and drooling

If you suspect your pet has ingested anti freeze you should get them to the vet immediately! Call them before you get there so they can prepare for your arrival and then provide the fastest treatment as possible.

Iced pond danger

Walking your dogs on a frosty morning can be refreshing to say the least but please take care that there are no frozen waterways on your route.

If your dog is partial to a swim, steer clear of places with ponds which may be frozen. If you cannot recall your dog away from the water then keep him/her on a lead until you are suitably far away so they are not tempted in.

Take advantage of the summer months when you are playing with your dog in the water to teach them to come away when called and then only allow them to go back in on your instruction! A frozen pond may well look safe for your dog to
walk on but if the ice breaks the dog can become trapped in the icy water and not be able to scramble out.

There are many tragedies each winter where half of reported drownings have occurred when well meaning people have perished in an attempt to rescue a dog in trouble! Please do not attempt to go into a frozen pond after an animal in trouble. Seek help from others nearby so you are not alone and use fallen branches or something similar to break the ice you can safely reach from the edge of the water.

If your dog does fall into icy water and you can safely get him out then wrap him up in layers of blankets towels etc and get to the vet ASAP as he may need treatment for shock.

Festive poisoning problems

With Christmas fast approaching no doubt your home will be filled with lots of goodies to feed your visitors. Make sure your visitors know that they must not feed your dog any of the danger foods. Also don’t put presents under the tree until you check with the giver that they don’t contain food.

Dogs are easily tempted by food left on surfaces and may well investigate presents under the tree for food too! Items which commonly cause poisoning around Christmas time include:

poinsettia plants, lilies, minced pies, chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, currents, sultanas, xylitol (sugar
substitute found in many sweets), paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen.

Enjoy your Christmas and new year

What ever you do this Christmas please remember to keep your beloved furry friends safe.

If you go out for a long day make sure dogs are well exercised first and have plenty of water to drink while you are out. Leave the radio on for some company and why not ask a friendly neighbor to let them out for a toilet break during the day.

Also with New Year around the corner you can find some tips on how to help your pet during fireworks.