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Bonnie’s Barnyard

-Just like it can be hard on people, cold weather can be hard our pets, There are special
precautions pet lovers should take to keep their pet safe this winter.

-Just because your dog has fur, it does not mean they can withstand the cold.

 -LadyBug, Mulberry Lane Farm’s 2 year old Springer Spaniel is bred to be an outdoor dog
and can handle the cold weather much better than Eve. Eve is Farmer Julie’s 2 ½ year old
Yorkshire Terrier. Weighing in at a whopping 3 pounds she’s protected from the cold in her
doggie sweater. An excellent idea for small dogs or dogs with little to no hair.

-Just because your dog has a sweater on doesn’t mean they can be outside for extended
periods of time. Dogs lose most of their body heat from the pads of their feet, their ears, and
their respiratory tract.

-Watch those feet! Your pet can get salt, ice, and chemical ice treatments caught in their
footpads. To minimize damage to their paws, wipe them with a warm cloth when they come
inside.

-Cats too need extra care in the winter. Wind chill affects our pets just as it does people.
Provide an enclosed area lined with straw or blankets for your outdoor pet.

-Heated dog beds can be used to keep your outdoor dog warm. For both dogs and cats,
heated bowls keep water and food from freezing.

-Exercising your pet in winter is very important. In the cold, it is best to walk your dog more
often for shorter periods of time. OR, consider a day per week at your local doggie day care.
There they have an indoor play area and great socialization.

CAUTION!

•Beware of antifreeze - It is highly toxic! Antifreeze tastes good to pets, but even a small
amount can kill your pet.

•Do not allow your dog to run across frozen bodies of water. Just as it’s not wise for you to
walk onto iced over bodies of water. It too is dangerous for your dog.

•During the winter, cats sometimes sleep under the hood of your car or in the garage where it
is warm and comfortable. Before you turn your engine on, check beneath the car or make a
lot of noise by honking the horn or rapping on the hood.

Fun Fact.

•Did you know that your dog and cat's normal temperature (100.5-102.5) is a few degrees
higher than yours? (97.8-99.1) Winter is the perfect time of year to snuggle up – so have fun
and stay warm!

•Be a responsible pet owner. Be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered!