Tips to keep your pet safe and healthy this winter
Ontario SPCA
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
NEWMARKET, ON, (January 23, 2007) – After a slow start to the season, the cold, blustery days of winter are now upon us and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA) would like to remind the public that winter weather can be dangerous for their pets, and that pet owners are responsible for ensuring the protection and care of their pets.To keep your pet safe and healthy this winter, the Ontario SPCA offers the following advice:
When the temperature drops below freezing pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time. Cats, short-coated dogs and puppies are particularly vulnerable in cold temperatures. Keep cats indoors and protect your dogs from frostbite or hypothermia by taking them outside for short periods during cold weather. Consider slipping your short-coated dog or puppy into a comfortable dog sweater or coat as an extra layer of warmth. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. As well, when bathing your dog in winter months, ensure he is completely dry before taking him outside.
Puppies are generally less tolerant of cold weather than adult dogs, so in order to housetrain your puppy during frigid temperatures put a jacket or sweater on him when you take him outside on leash with you to the designated “toilet” area. Give him a treat as soon as he is done, and then quickly bring him back inside. If he hasn’t shown any signs of needing to “go” after a couple of minutes, bring him inside and supervise him to prevent accidents, or crate him (dogs are less likely to soil where they eat or sleep), and then try again a little later.
Never leave your cat or dog alone in a car during cold weather. Cars hold in the cold, acting like refrigerators, which could cause your pet to freeze to death.
Outdoor dogs must be provided with adequate shelter and a constant supply of fresh water. While the Ontario SPCA strongly recommends bringing your dog indoors, dogs that live outside require as a minimum a dry, draft-free doghouse soundly built of weatherproof materials with the door facing away from prevailing winds. It should be elevated and insulated, with a door flap and bedding of straw or wood shavings. Farm animals should also be sheltered from wind and precipitation and given plenty of clean straw bedding. Check your pet’s water frequently to ensure it’s not frozen and use a tip-resistant plastic or ceramic bowl, rather than metal, to prevent your dog’s tongue sticking to the cold metal surface. The pamphlet “Ideal Doghouse for Ontario’s Outdoor Dogs” is available from the Ontario SPCA website at www.ontariospca.ca/docs/Ideal_Doghouse.pdf.
Be aware of cats seeking warmth under vehicle hoods. When the vehicle motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Make a point of knocking on the hood or sounding the horn before starting the engine. This will warn away any cats who may be hiding in your vehicle.
Ethylene glycol – found in antifreeze and brake fluids – tastes sweet, so animals may ingest it; even a very small amount can be fatal. Emergency veterinary care is essential. Clean up any spills and dispose of the rags as a hazardous waste. Also, be alert for antifreeze spills when out on walks.
Use a damp towel to wipe your pet’s paws and underside after being outside. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice on roads and sidewalks can irritate and burn your pet’s sensitive paws, and can cause injury if ingested. Also, remove ice balls by placing your pet’s feet in warm (not hot) water before drying them off with a towel. Consider using “booties” to protect your pet’s paws.
Don’t let your dog off leash on ice or snow, especially during a snowstorm, as dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost.
Ensure your pet always has a warm place to sleep away from drafts and off the floor. A thick cozy dog or cat bed with a blanket or pillow is great.
“We strongly encourage every pet owner to be cautious of cold weather and to take adequate precautions to protect their pet from winter hazards,” says Hugh Coghill, Acting Chief Inspector for the Ontario SPCA. “Ontario SPCA investigators receive thousands of complaints each year related to animals left unprotected from the cold, and if an investigation reveals wilful neglect, the pet’s owner(s) can be charged.”
To report suspected animal abuse call the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 1, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), your local Ontario SPCA Branch, affiliated humane society or police.
Media Contact:
Christine Arnett
Director of Marketing & Communications
1-888-668-7722, ext. 305
e-mail: carnett@ospca.on.ca
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA): Protecting animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is a registered charity comprised of over 50 branches and affiliated humane societies relying primarily on donations to fund animal protection, care and rehabilitation for all animals, government and industry advocacy, and public education. The Ontario SPCA Act mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws and provides Society investigators with police powers to do so – making the Ontario SPCA unique among animal welfare organizations in the province. The Ontario SPCA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, and is affiliated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Ontario SPCA Provincial Office, 16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR3 Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4W1 • 1 888 ONT-SPCA (688-7722) • www.ontariospca.ca • info@ospca.on.ca
Charitable Business Number 88969 1044 RR0002
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