The Puppy Coach: December 2008

It's 10 degrees and snowing here in Elk at 6:30 am. My dogs are outside happily romping through the dark in the snow, having a rip-snort of a time it sounds like. I have Duke and Cody; two Alaskan Malamutes and Turbo the Giant Mountain Pomeraniac. They are arctic breeds, opposite ends of the spitz spectrum to be sure, but arctic breeds all. They love this weather! However, they also have a dog door so they can come in when they're ready. Cody, who usually likes to sleep outside on the sun porch, is sleeping inside these frosty-cold nights.
If you're still relatively new to Spokane you may not be aware of some of these things and even if you've lived here for years it's not a bad idea to refresh your memory:
Cold Weather Pet Tips
Written by PetDoc
Winter weather can be miserable for both people and pets. By taking a few precautionary steps, though, owners can help make cold temperatures and icy snow more manageable for their four-legged friends. Here are a few simple strategies for keeping your pets safe and happy during the winter months.

Limit your pet's time outside during extreme weather. Although some animals enjoy spending time outdoors when it's cold out, no pet belongs outside for more than a few minutes in freezing temperatures. In more moderate winter temperatures, furnish your pet's dog house with warm, dry bedding material and provide a heated bowl to prevent his water from morphing into ice. Cats need access to shelter, too -- a garage or screened porch, for instance. A kitty who seeks a warm refuge on her own may end up under the hood of a car -- a mighty dangerous place for any animal. Finally, avoid taking certain pets outside at all. Parrots, for example, simply cannot tolerate the same temperatures as their hardier counterparts. Schedule routine vet visits for milder times of the year for this reason. If an emergency arises, be sure to warm up your vehicle and cover your bird's traveling cage with a towel or blanket before venturing out into the air.
Avoid antifreeze poisoning. Most antifreeze solutions are highly toxic to cats and dogs. Just a teaspoon of this substance can be deadly for a cat or small dog. Clean up any spills as quickly and completely as possible, and check your radiator regularly for leaks. Store antifreeze in tightly sealed containers, and keep them away from areas your pet frequents. A smart alternative to conventional antifreeze is a product made from propylene glycol. This is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol, the poisonous ingredient in traditional antifreeze.
Don't leave your pet unattended in your vehicle. Whether you leave the engine running or turned off, allowing an animal to remain inside a car alone during cold weather is a recipe for disaster. The air inside a parked vehicle can plummet to dangerously low temperatures in winter weather within just minutes. This can lead to frostbite and even hypothermia for pets left inside the vehicle. Unfortunately, leaving the motor on can be equally hazardous. Animals are considerably more susceptible to heatstroke than people. A pet suffering from this affliction can lapse into a coma and even die if not treated immediately.
Keep the water running. It is vital to keep your pet hydrated at all times of the year. When the weather outside is frightful, though, it can be easy to forget that dogs and cats are thirsty. As we turn up the thermostats in our homes, our pets may even need more water than during the summer months when air conditioners keep our homes cooler. If you repeatedly find your pet's dish dry, consider investing in a fountain-style bowl that refills itself -- a great device for any time of the year.
Practice proper foot care. Keeping the hair on your dog's paws trimmed will help ice and other uncomfortable debris from sticking to your pet's feet. Applying a thin layer of paw wax will help protect your dog's pads from nasty burns from salt and ice. Cleaning your pet's paws after trips outdoors can help rid them of salt and sand. Remember, your dog will lick off whatever fragments are left on his feet upon returning indoors. For this reason, it is wise to use only non-toxic deicing treatments on your driveway, stairs, and sidewalks. Ask for pet-friendly products at your local home supply store.
Shovel snow away from fences. If you have a fenced yard, avoid allowing snow to accumulate where it might enable your pet an easy escape. Although it might look a little funny, shoveling snow into a large bank in the center of your yard will help prevent your dog from jumping over your fence -- and it might be a fun place for him to play, as well. Just be sure to keep an eye on him if the snow gets too deep.
Bundle him up. If your pet is extremely young or old, he is much more vulnerable to the cold than other animals. Pets with chronic conditions may also possess a lower tolerance to winter weather. An older arthritic dog, for example, will feel the effects of frigid temperatures far sooner than a more robust canine in his prime. Toy breeds also tend to feel the cold more quickly. If your pet falls into any of these categories, consider buying him a coat or a sweater for him to wear when going outside to relieve himself in the winter. Better yet, provide him with a litter box, so he doesn't even have to venture outside at all.

This article is provided by our friends at PetDoc, the nation's leading resource for pet care information.