Healthy Pets – Best Dog Food -Pet Information

Happy Groundhog Day!

Well, now that Punxsutawny Phil is predicting six more weeks of winter, it’s important for folks up North to think of ways to keep your pet warm during the last stretch of cold weather. Even if they have a fur coat, dogs and cats can be just as susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia as humans, especially if they are exposed to cold precipitation. The best way to ensure that your pets are safe is to try and keep them indoors as often as possible and to monitor them closely when they are outdoors, but there are other precautionary steps that will help keep your cat or dog healthy and warm for the remainder of the season.

Clothing


If your cat or dog spends even more than a few minutes outside every day then I would highly recommend extra layering, especially if it has short hair. When looking for the right coat or sweater make sure to pay more attention to the material then appearances; nylon and fleece are much more effective in protecting against the elements while natural fibers such as cotton are not recommended as they can easily become damp in wet weather. You may also want to consider foot protection as well, but bear in mind that that some pets, dogs in particular, might find the idea of foot coverings to be uncomfortable, so I would recommend holding off on buying those booties if you have a picky pet.

Diet

The best diet for your pet depends first and foremost on how active it might be this time of year. If your cat or dog spends a lot of time outside, increase portions to keep energy levels up and also to help ward off any illnesses. But late-winter is also the time of year in which pets are most susceptible to gaining weight so if your pet spends all of its time indoors then you should probably be reducing its caloric intake, either by reducing portions or by buying low-calorie pet food. Late-winter is also a good time to consider introducing supplements to your pet’s diet, as Vitamin C can help boost their immune system, while compounds high in fatty acid (such as Vitamin E) can help maintain a healthy skin or fur coat. Pet food can sometimes lack these types of vitamins, especially if they are highly processed.

Bedding

Having a comfortable place for your pet to sleep is paramount during the winter. While finding the right type of pet bed is a matter of personal preference there are a couple of important things to consider. First off, you want to make sure that the bed is raised to some degree. If your pet is sleeping only a couple of inches off of the floor it can leave him/her exposed to floor drafts. You might also want to consider a heated bed, especially if you have a pet with arthritic troubles or if you live in an especially cold area. I would steer clear of electrically heated beds however, as the cords can be hazardous for chew-happy pets. Instead look for a hot-water heated bed instead. For a cat or dog that prefers to sleep outdoors in a protective house or box, straw materials or even discarded newspapers can work as effective insulation.

While winter is (hopefully!) close to being over keeping your pet safe and warm is important now more than ever, so the most important thing is to remain vigilant of any present or future health problems and make sure to consult a veterinarian if you notice any issues.

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