Cold Weather Care for Cats and Dogs - Part 1

Cold Weather Care for Pets - Part 1

(Article obtained from At Home - a special advertising section of the Daily Inter Lake dated Saturday, October 20, 2012.)

When temperatures drop, humans are not the only ones who feel the chill.  Cold weather also can take its toll on animals including dogs, cats, and birds.  Protecting pets when winter arrives involves modifying care tactics.
 
A major winter snowfall or simply a snap of cold weather can cause many problems for pets.  Much like humans, dogs and cats can experience frostbite on extremities when subjected to cold temperatures.  Ears, noses, and paws all may bear the brunt of cold weather, increasing the risk of injury.

Provide Warm Shelter
Although it may appear that pets are well insulated against cold temperatures, fur or feathers do not make pets impervious to the cold.  According to the ASPCA, fur wetted by snow may not dry quickly, putting animals at risk for a chill or even hypothermia.  As a precautionary measure, keep companion animals inside when temperatures drop below 30F.

If yours is an outside cat or dog, be sure that he or she is equipped with dry, draft-free shelter.  A dog house that is too large will not retain heat, so keep this in mind.  Reduce wind chill by placing the dog house where it will not be in the direct line of wind.  You may want to think about keeping the dog in an insulated shed or garage if you prefer not to move the pet inside. Cats can easily freeze while outdoors; therefore, it is safer to keep them inside.  Also, outdoors a cat may seek unsafe shelter, such as under the hoods of cars where they can be injured or killed if the car is started.

Dress Warmly
A mammal’s system for regulating heat can be compromised when there is excessive cold.  No matter its type of fur, a dog or cat may not be able to tolerate long periods of cold weather, unless it is a breed that was specifically bred for remaining outdoors in the cold, like a Malamute or Husky.  When venturing outside the use of a sweater or vest on short-haired dogs, but keep an eye on the pet.  Wearing a coat doesn’t mean he or she should be left outdoors unattended.

Cats probably will not tolerate any type of clothing.  If going outdoors to a vet appointment, use a carrier that is insulated from the cold with thick blankets.
Limit Drafts
Limit drafts around the house, which will increase your comfort and that of your companion animals.  Dogs and cats lie on the ground, where colder air tends to collect.  It may be several degrees cooler near the floor where they reside.  Check windows and doors for drafts.  If repairs or replacements aren’t financially possible, consider the use of draft guards or insulating curtains.  The measures will also protect pet birds.  Most birds that are kept as pets are from tropical climates and cannot tolerate severe cold temperatures.  Reduce risk of illness by keeping birds away from drafty windows and doors that open and close frequently during the winter.

Keep Them Leashed
Many dogs like to frolic in the snow, but snow can cause a pooch to lose his scent on the ground and get lost.  A dog also may run off and get smothered by tall snowdrifts or slip through the ice when not being able to gauge its surroundings.  It is best to keep dogs on leashes during any type of inclement weather.

(Part 2, coming soon.)

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Today's posted suggested by kitty food.

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Cat Poops Outside of the Litterbox

Our cat Buster has been pooping outside her litterbox but pees in her litterbox. She has never behaved like this so we were concerned. We did a search on the internet and found that we weren't alone. We found the following article helpful for us and hope it will be for you too.

Cats - Pooping Outside the Litterbox
Expert: Jessica - 6/7/2004
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cats-1606/pooping-outside-litterbox.htm

Question: I have had my cat for 2 years, she is 2. When I would go out of town she would poop outside her litterbox. I assumed that it was because she was mad at me. But in the past 2 weeks she has been doing that everyday, when I'm at work and once while I was home. I have never had a problem with her going to the bathroom in her box.

Answer: Defecating outside the box tends to be related to a physical ailment more often than urinating outside the box, so I'd start with a visit to the vet. Gas, constipation, impacted anal sacs, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal parasites and infections can cause discomfort upon defecation, and this can cause the cat not to use his litter box, which she grows to associate with the pain.

Once those are ruled out, you should look to the litter box. A great majority of cats prefer to use one box for pee and another for poop. Often, adding another box will solve the problem.

If the problem persists, you may be looking at anxiety-related behavior. I've heard many, many people who feel their cat is pooping on their bed or in their laundry, etc., out of spite. Truth is, it's more likely due to anxiety the cat may be feeling about whatever you feel has angered her. Scolding, bringing in a new pet, vet trips, or leaving on vacation are common triggers of inappropriate elimination. In contrast to many experts, after years of being surrounded by dozens of cats, I do believe cats have quite a sense of vengeance. However, I think you'll find that, if you reduce the anxiety surrounding whatever the situation may be, you will see an improvement.

This can be done in a couple of ways. The first and most obvious is, don't stress the cat! Try to identify what it is you do to cause her behavior, and eliminate it if you can. I'm not sure if you scold the cat or not, but if so, stop. It's not very effective and causes anxiety.

If you're not able to eliminate the cause of her anxiety, I suggest to purchase some Feliway. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone - hormones proven to induce relaxation and a feeling of safety. It's an excellent tool to use at all times, and is essential, in my opinion, for use prior to and during vet trips, vacations, and any other situation that may cause stress. It's available at pet stores and some vet offices, too.

Because you mention the behavior worsens when you leave her alone, separation anxiety comes to mind. Defecating outside the box is a number one complaint. Feliway can help in most cases. I also HIGHLY recommend getting another cat, or even a dog, to keep the kitty company. Cats who live with other cats are much healthier physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally than cats who are single pets. Adding a companion that will be with him 24 hours a day dramatically helps separation anxiety. I wouldn't suggest doing this right now, if she's having obvious anxiety problems. Adding a pet can make it worse. But once she's feeling more at ease, it may be something to consider to prevent future episodes.

In the worst cases of anxiety, a prescription anti-anxiety medication usually works. Talk to your vet about this.

Don't forget to clean the stained areas with a pet stain remover. It needs to be an enzymatic cleaner, which breaks down the fats in cat waste that cause the stains to cling to carpets and other surfaces. Nature's Miracle and Especially for Cats are enzymatic cleaners available at pet stores. I also highly recommend Greased Lightning Orange Blast, which uses orange oil to break down fats.

Unless you remove the stain, the cat is likely to return to the accident area. A cat's sense of smell is 14 times more sensitive than a human's, so even if you can't smell the stain, the cat can. That's why it's so important to use an enzymatic cleaner to remove stains, not just cover them.

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Looking for a good kitty grass resource? Kitty Grass, Cat Grass

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Helpful Tips on Caring for our Senior Cat

Helpful Tips on Caring for Your Senior Pet

by Dr. Sarah from July 2010 Lifes Abundance Newsletter

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah reveals the secrets to the best care for both senior cats and digs to ensure long-term health and longevity. CLICK THE FOLLOWING TO VIEW HER Senior Cat Care Video 

A relationship with a companion animal can be one of the most rewarding experiences we humans encounter in our lifetimes. In the last 20 years, medical science has repeatedly shown that having a dog or cat in your life can result in health benefits for you, including improved, self-reported mental and physical health, and even fewer doctor visits compared to no-pet people. Additionally, caring for pets can help us to develop a greater sense of responsibility, elevate our own sense of self-worth and foster a mutually beneficial bond that enriches not only our lives but those of our pets, too.

If you have ever enjoyed the distinct pleasures of having a senior dog, you know that they tend to be well-behaved, without the boundless energy (and chew-everything tendencies) of puppies, which, quite frankly, can sometimes be exhausting. For these and many other reasons, senior dogs can make excellent companions for senior citizens.

So, who qualifies as a senior pet? While there is no hard and fast rule, most veterinarians agree that a senior canine is one in the last third of his or her life expectancy. Keep in mind that smaller breeds tend to live longer, meaning that they become seniors later in life than large or giant breeds. For example, the expected lifetime of Miniature Poodles is 18 years; therefore, they are designated as seniors at age 12. In contrast, the typical life expectancy of a Great Dane is around nine years, so they are considered seniors at age six! In general, cats begin to experience age-related physical changes from seven to ten years of age.

Many pet parents don’t know what to expect when their companion animals reach their senior years, or how to provide the best senior care for them. Additionally, some are misled by common misconceptions and anticipate that the later years are necessarily associated with infirmity. Fortunately, most health issues surrounding senior pets can be easily overcome, if you know what to look for and how to improve their quality of life. 
 
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