Holiday Tips
Do’s and Do Not’s for the Colder Weather
Do use caution around bodies of water. Keep pets away from rivers, ponds and lakes as they begin to freeze. Continue to use caution even when the water appears completely frozen. Do keep hair around paw pads trimmed. Less hair will help keep paws free of ice and snow, which can quickly ball up between footpads and create uncomfortable walking conditions for pets. Do check paw pads for small cuts and cracks. Consider dog boots for dogs that react negatively to walking on ice and snow - especially dogs that react to snow removal products. Do clean your dog's paws after walks to remove salt and snow removal chemicals, which can be toxic to pets.
Do check your dog's ears, tail and feet for frostbite. Just as dogs are sensitive to hot summer sidewalks, cold winter walkways may cause pain or contribute to frostbite. A dog that continually lifts individual legs off the ground during a winter walk may feel the effects of frostbite. Frostbitten skin may appear red or gray. If you suspect frostbite, wrap your dog's feet in a blanket or towels to gradually warm them and contact your veterinarian. Do provide the proper type and amount of food for the season. Dogs housed outdoors and dogs that participate in strenuous outdoor activities may require additional food during colder weather. On the other hand, indoor dogs that exercise less frequently in colder months may need less food.
Do keep puppies and older dogs indoors except for short periods of time. As with humans, young and old dogs are more susceptible to the effects of the cold. Do keep dogs on a leash - especially during bad weather or snowstorms when they can lose their ability to find their way by smell. Do pay attention to snow removal. Avoid piling snow near fences and creating an escape route for curious pets. Do keep identification tags updated in the event your dog runs away. Do clean up antifreeze spills immediately. Many dogs like the sweet smell and taste and, unfortunately, even very small amounts can be lethal to them. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to your veterinarian immediately. There may be time for Antizol-Vet, an antifreeze antidote, to help your dog. Also consider using an animal-friendly antifreeze.
Don't suddenly house an indoor dog outdoors. Dogs require a month or more (as seasons change) to become accustomed to lower winter temperatures. Don't keep your dog outside in all conditions. Pay attention to the thermometer. If it dips too far below freezing, it's too cold for any dog - even those accustomed to being outside. Don't leave pets alone in cars during cold weather months. When the engine is off, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your puppy inquiries this year. I sincerely hope we have been able to answer your questions, assist in your training dilemmas and supported your puppy and dog needs. It has been our pleasure to meet all our new puppy owners and we thank them for their support and choosing to get their new family member from us. Our blog is now on the internet with constant updates of dog related articles. The Ness Lake web-site has a new ‘Products’ section for you to view.
From our family to yours we wish you all the best this Holiday Season has to offer and look forward to talking with you in 2010
BEWARE
Tinsel and pine needles will wreak havoc on intestines & may cause possible death if ingested. Beware of Poinsettia, mistletoe & holly (all poisonous) as well as small ingestable decorations. Tie up loose electric cords as they seem to attract puppies. A kennel or other type of confinement when you’re not at home is strongly recommended. Your pet and tree will both survive the holidays.
Dogs and Chocolate- do you know why chocolate is poisonous, which types of chocolate are more harmful than others, the symptoms of chocolate poisoning and the one thing that's more lethal than chocolate? The cocoa tree contains two naturally occurring substances - theobromine and caffeine - both of which are toxic to dogs. Cocoa beans contain the obromine a higher concentration than caffeine. Dogs metabolize the obromine very slowly - it can stay in your dog's bloodstream for up to 20 hours. During that time it interferes with the body's functioning mainly stimulating the central nervous system and affecting the heart and kidneys White chocolate does not contain very much of the obromine and caffeine, and your dog would need to eat a very large quantity before he would be at risk from the obromine poisoning. If we look at a 10lb (4.5kg) dog such as a Yorkshire Terrier and a 70lb (32kg) dog like a Labrador Retriever, the following amounts of chocolate would be considered lethal doses (if we take 100mg/kg as the lethal dose) or the Yorkshire Terrier - approximately 7oz of milk chocolate or 3oz of instant cocoa powder, or 1oz of unsweetened baking chocolate or just over half an ounce of dry cocoa powder. For the Labrador Retriever - approximately 3lbs of milk chocolate or 1.3lbs of instant cocoa powder or 7oz unsweetened baking chocolate or 4oz of cocoa powder. These are approximate amounts only, but do show how lethal dark chocolate is compared to milk chocolate, and how small dogs are more at risk than large dogs. Dogs get a taste for chocolate - they find the flavor of theobromine addictive. Even if your dog can eat small amounts of chocolate without any ill effect, don't give him a taste for it because he'll then try to sniff out and eat chocolate at every opportunity.
Co-operation !
HUSTLE AND BUSTLE HOLIDAY SEASON
The holidays tend to bring excitement and hours spent away from home! Your pets may feel stressed during this time as routine becomes unfamiliar. Anxiousness may also cause unwanted behaviors. Try to be patient, understanding and spend extra time getting a few extra walks in. Great for both your and your buddy.
ENTERTAINING DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
There are two basic rules to help this situation. The first rule is pretty obvious but often overlooked. Make sure your guests know that you have a pet (or pets). Some of your guests may already know (such as your relatives) but others may not know. Ideally, contact all your guests to tell them about your dog(s) Dogs are social animals that love being well behaved. They also like being part of the family, and the only way they can take part in the festivities is to put forth their finest manners. A well-behaved, well-trained pet is both appreciated and welcome, and he receives more attention from both family members and visitors than does a pet that is behaviorally challenged.
