WINTER AND HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR PET
Older dogs and puppies both have special needs, especially during stressful times when there is more activity in the family, such as the Holiday season. Provide a comfortable resting place for BOTH of these age groups. If you have not kept a crate in your home before for your pet please consider it during the Holiday season. Older dogs need to rest and often prefer to be away from the noise and confusion and in a “safe place”, especially since they are not always clear in their eyesight or hearing. Younger dogs tend to investigate everything and need to be protected from hazards such as tasting the Christmas ornaments or eating the turkey.
Keep in mind that puppies need 14 hours of sleep a day. Do not allow family members to keep the young puppy too active as they must have their sleep in order to grow and develop. Watch out for outdoor hazards such as icy surfaces and do not allow your dogs, if you have a multi dog family, to romp and play on the ice as you might end up with an unexpected vet bill due to a ligament tear! Often times wood chips sprinkled on the ice help to make a better surface for your dog to walk on. The typical treatments involving salt are NOT SAFE for your dog’s feet and should not be used in your “dog yard”.
If your dog is outdoors a lot, he/she needs a doghouse or enclosure which is just slightly bigger than the dog, an enclosure which will allow the dog to curl up and have only a small amount of space left over, as this type of enclosure will provide more heat than a large roomy dog house (even if it is an insulated dog house. Dogs need access to FRESH water in the winter also, frozen water is not effective in providing enough liquid for him! If you don't have a heated water element and your dog is outside full time it is absolutely essential that you provide a supply of fresh water twice a day.
Outdoor dogs also need a DAILY DOSE of love and attention. It is easy in the summer to take your outdoor dog walking and to play fetch with him out in the yard. It requires more sacrifice on your part to go out in the cold and provide some quality time with your pet. But please do not abandon your dog just because it is cold. Ask yourself why did you get the dog in the first place? Be good to your dog and give him the attention and affection that he craves, and hopefully you will BRING THE DOG INSIDE to be a part of your family this season if you have not done so yet.
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