Oct. 28--CARLSBAD -- The weather outside is frightful, and a local veterinarian offered some tips to keep your pets safe in the colder temperatures, and with Halloween coming up on Monday.
Dr. Robin Sankey from the Carlsbad Animal Care Center said animals should have adequate shelter as the temperature drops over the coming months. Animals should not be kept on chains, but if it is unavoidable, the chain should give plenty of room for the animal to reach and stay out of the cold.
She suggested bringing pets inside the home or providing an alternate source of heat within the shelter when the temperatures reach freezing.
Pets should always have plenty of food and water, said Sankey, who urges owners to check water bowls several times a day to ensure that the water is not frozen, leaving pets without hydration.
Another deadly issue for pets in the colder weather is antifreeze. With its sweet taste, pets are drawn to antifreeze, and ingestion of the fluid can be fatal. Sankey said it is crucial that people immediately clean up antifreeze spills and leaks.
Other ways to keep pets cozy through fall and winter includes pet sweaters, blankets and boots to protect dogs' paws.
Livestock should also be closely watched during this time of year, said Sankey. Horses should don blankets in temperatures under 50 degrees and have shelter, and the livestock's water should also be watched closely in the event that it freezes. Sankey said
water warmers are available for purchase to prevent freezing troughs.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers more tips for keeping your pets warm and safe when temperatures drop:
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Keep your cats and kittens indoors. Outside, cats can freeze, become lost, stolen or injured.
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Never let your dog run around off its leash on snow or ice. Dogs might lose their scent in snow and ice and become lost.
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Wipe off your dog's paws, legs and stomach when they comes in from the snow or ice. Salt or other chemicals might make your dog sick if they swallow them while licking their paws. Their paw pads are sensitive and might bleed if snow or ice covers them.
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Never leave you dog, cat or any other animal alone in a car in cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator and your animal could freeze.
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If your dog spends a lot of time outside playing, make sure to give them plenty of food and water to keep their fur thick and healthy through the winter.
With Halloween coming up next week, Sankey said animals should be kept away from candy, especially chocolate, which can cause digestive issues and can be fatal to animals.
The vet recommends that animals be kept away from residence entry ways with trick-or-treaters going door-to-door, as it can cause danger to the children and animals. Also, ensure that animals, which will be rambunctious with the Halloween activity, cannot escape form homes and fences.
Additional tips from ASPCA for keeping your animals safe through Halloween include:
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Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn can produce stomach upset in pets that nibble on them.
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Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
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Think before dressing your dog or cat up in a costume because wearing one may cause stress in some pets.
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If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume does not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede their ability to breathe, bark or meow. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior when wearing the costume, consider letting them go without.
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Take a close look at your pet's costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that they could choke on.
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Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification in case your pet escapes and becomes lost during Halloween activity.
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