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Winter is here in earnest, and pets need some extra care fot their
safety and comfort. Owners of smaller dogs need to be extra aware
of their pets.
Distribution Source : PRWeb
Date : Friday - January 07, 2005
(PRWEB) January 7,
2005 -- Now that winter has settled in earnest, pet owners may
wish to be more aware of their pet"s outdoor activities. This
is especially true of smaller breeds of dogs.
Smaller dogs can become
quickly uncomfortable in cold weather, and lack the body mass
to maintain an even body temperature. In addition, short-haired
breeds such as miniature Dachshunds or Chihuahuas may not have
enough natural insulating fur to protect them.
Bipedal humans may
not be aware of the microclimate their dog lives in and that it
can be colder for their pet down at ground level. For a pet out
in the open air, wind can pick up snow and drive it onto the pet
further chilling him. As it blows along the ground on flat terrain,
it can pick up a small amount of additional moisture and lower
the perceived temperature (wind chill) further.
Once a dog becomes
wet, their fur looses the ability to insulate. Pet owners should
take extra care if their low-to-the-ground pet"s body touches
the snow… it would be like swimming through a snow bank wearing
no more than a sweater.
Pet Gear There are many styles and sizes of pet sweaters that
will fit any pet, and owners will find quality merchandise through
online specialty sites (Cooper & Cadie, PetSmart). Velcro and
elastic closures can make dressing your pooch quick and convenient.
There are even dog galoshes, which can be nice to protect furry
feet that pick up uncomfortable ice deposits.
Other winter hazards
Urban pets are in greater danger from cars that cannot maneuver
or stop in slippery conditions. In bad conditions, it is best
to simply walk your dog and keep both you and him away from roadways.
Rural pets need to
be monitored to protect them from other animals, especially in
winter. Winter is the time of hardship for predators, and hunger
may drive normally shy carnivores to an available food. Pets can
either be watched, walked, or their outdoor time can be limited
to a certain amount of time.
Very small pets (under
8 pounds) may also be in danger from larger birds of prey.
Winter Pet Travel
If you take your pets with you when you travel, be sure to take
the pet"s sweater too. Traveling with pets is commonplace, and
many hotels that used to have a "no pets" policy are now welcoming
owners and their pets. To find these accommodations, there are
many quality sites presently available (try http://www.Pet-FriendlyTravel.Com,
a new search engine that uses the same databases that giant travcl
sites use, but culls out facilities that do not accept pets).
Finally, if a pet does
become chilled, there is no better way to warm them than with
body heat. Dry your pet as necessary, and wrap yourself and your
pet in a blanket or towel and hold them until the shivering subsides
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