Now
that summer is over, you might think that your dog is safe from
hazards. The weather is cooling down, so there's no more risk of
dehydration, burned paws, or heat sicknesses. Unfortunately, now that
winter is just around the corner, your dog is at risk for a wide
variety of other issues. Here are five winter worries that can
adversely affect your dog.
1.
Mouse Bait
When
the weather turns cold, mice look for a warm location to hide away
for the winter. If you put traps and poison out as soon as you see
the first mouse, you put your dog at risk. Dogs are naturally curious
creatures, which means they have to investigate anything new. Traps
can cause serious injuries to your dog, especially if you've set out
the larger rat traps.
If
you set out poison boxes, your dog may die from accidental ingestion.
If you have rodent problems this winter, leave the pest control to
the professionals. Exterminators have pest control methods that will
protect your dog.
2.
Holiday Decorations
When
winter arrives, the holiday decorations get brought out of storage.
If you decorate for the holidays, take your dog’s safety into
consideration. Some holiday elements can be hazardous to your dog.
Electrical
Cords
If
you need electrical cords for your holiday decorations, keep them
away from your dog, especially if they enjoy chewing on things. Your
dog can be severely shocked or electrocuted if they bite through an
electrical cord.
Tinsel
Tinsel
poses a serious health risk for dogs. The silver strands may seem
innocent enough, but they can wreak havoc on your dog’s internal
organs. Tinsel travels through the digestive tract where it can get
wrapped around the intestines.
Live
Trees
If
your holiday decorations include a live tree, you'll need to take
some precautions. First, place a cover over the water reservoir. The
water in the reservoir is toxic to dogs. Second, vacuum around the
tree on a daily basis. Pine needles can harm your dog, especially if
they're ingested.
3.
Swimming Pools
You
might be done with your swimming pool for the winter, but that
doesn't mean your dog will stay away from the water. During the
winter, you're not outside as much as you are in the summer.
Unfortunately,
that means your dog will be outside without supervision. If your dog
jumps into the pool during the winter, the shock of the cold water
could cause them to drown. Now that summer is over, place a hard
cover over your pool.
4.
Food Toxins
If
you have holiday parties planned this winter, protect your dog
against food toxins. Let your guests know that table scraps are
off-limits for your dog. You don't want them to accidentally offer
your dog a toxic treat. Many people don't realize that foods like
grapes, onions, and chocolate are toxic for dogs to eat. A
no-table-scraps rule during your parties will prevent accidents.
5.
Cold Weather
Dogs
love to romp around in the snow and rain. A few minutes in the white
stuff won't hurt your dog, but extended exposure can put your dog at
risk for frost bite and hypothermia.
If
your dog will be spend time outside this winter, take steps to
protect them. Limit their time outside to a few minutes at a time and
put protective footwear on them. If you have a small dog, they should
also wear a warm sweater when they go outside.
Winter
can spell disaster for your dog. Protect your dog from the hazards
described above. If your dog does suffer injuries this
winter, contact
us
at
Angel Pet Hospital. We can provide 24-hour care for all your canine
emergencies.
