Seven Steps for 'Winterizing' Your Pet

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Seven

Steps for 'Winterizing' Your Pet

http://news.excite.com/news/pr/011031/oh-iams-winterize-pet

 

DAYTON, Ohio, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/

 

It's that time of year again -- leaves

have turned, furnaces are rumbling back to life and sweaters are making their

way to the front of the closet. It's human nature to take a cue from Mother

Nature and prepare for the coming winter. But with all there is to do, don't

forget pets have special needs this time of year, too.

Dr. Dan Carey, a veterinarian with

The Iams Company, offers these tips to help pet parents and their four-footed

companions stay safe, healthy, happy and warm in the months ahead:

1. Stay dry and avoid frostbite - Thoroughly

towel-dry your pet after

bathing or coming in from the rain or snow, and make sure to dry and

clean his paws. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little

petroleum jelly will also help soften the pads and prevent dry skin.

"It's especially important to remove ice and snow from your pet's paws

immediately when coming in from the outdoors because it can lead to

frostbite," says Dr. Carey. "A sign of frostbite is when the skin

turns reddish, white or gray color, and it may be scaly or sloughing.

You should see your veterinarian right away if that's the case."

2. Stay warm - When the temperature drops below 15 degrees, it is best to

move pets indoors or to an area that is heated, even if they have a

doghouse. And if you take your pet for a ride, remember a car without

heat may as well be a refrigerator, so be sure to run the heater and

never leave your pet in a car when the engine is off. And while warm

is good, if your pet likes to snuggle up to a chiminea, fireplace or

space heater, watch that he doesn't get too close. Pets can easily

burn themselves or knock over a heating unit with one quick wag of a

tail.

"If you're going to be spending time with pets outside or in places

with little heat, consider doing the same thing for them that you do

for yourself," says Dr. Carey. "Put on a sweater. It's not just a

fashion statement. It really does help pets ward off the same chills

that make you and me shiver."

3. Keep antifreeze tightly sealed - If you plan to keep your pets in the

garage for the winter, be sure they can't accidentally get into

antifreeze, whether in bottles or from a leaking radiator.

"Even a small amount of antifreeze can cause kidney damage to your pet,

or even death," says Dr. Carey. "And keep in mind they're just as

susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning as people are, so never leave

your car's engine running in the garage while your pet is there."

4. Pay special attentio

n to skin and coat health - A pet's outward

appearance mirrors his inner health and may give you a good idea of how

he is feeling. Because the skin keeps nutrients from escaping, as well

as harmful bacteria and viruses from entering the body, winter is a

particularly important time to ensure your pet is getting the best

nutrition.

"Foods containing vitamin-rich fish oils add luster and shine, while

protein helps maintain healthy hair growth for a luxurious winter

coat," says Dr. Carey. "It's important to feed your pets nutrient-

dense, premium foods such as Iams® Dog & Cat Foods, which now contain

vitamin-rich fish oils that play a critical role in skin and coat

health -- especially during the winter months."

5. Schedule indoor aerobics - Even though winter may keep you and your pet

indoors, it's important to keep active.

"It

's easy to just curl up in front of the fire," says Dr. Carey. "But

pets need as much exercise in the winter as they do the rest of the

year. Throwing a ball down a long hallway, creating an obstacle course

in your living room out of chairs and tables, and playing hide and seek

will help keep your pet in tip-top shape."

6. Keep plenty of food and water on hand - Always keep a supply of at

least three days' worth of pet food in case a winter storm prevents you

from leaving home. If your pet is on a special diet, keep at least a

week's worth of pet food in the house.

"Water may be the easiest thing to overlook," says Dr. Carey. "The dry

winter months tend to dehydrate our four-legged friends, so make sure

active pets receive ample amounts of water. And don't forget to check

outside water supplies frequently to keep them from freezing over."

7. Keep an emergency pet kit in your car - If your pet travels with you,

he is just as vulnerable as you are -- perhaps more so -- if your car

breaks down. Add a simple bag of pet necessities to your own list of

winter emergency items.

"An easy way to remember the essentials is 'TBD' or Treats, Blanket,

Drink," says Dr. Carey. "Like us, pets need to have something to eat,

a way to keep warm, and water to stay safe in harsh weather."

www.iams.com

..

CONTACT: Beth White of The Iams Company, +1-937-264-7618, or Kelly Johnson

of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-816-512-2433, for The Iams Company.