Winter Weather

During the Winter season, Christmas and the New Year are on everyone's mind. Meanwhile, most people forget about our furry friends. Some animals have thick coats, but even these are not a guarantee against hypothermia. If your animal is to be left out of doors, make sure they have adequate shelter from the wind, rain and snow. Shelter from the rain is a good idea all year round in this area anyway.

You would think that with all the rain we get, the animals themselves are getting plenty of water. This is not always the case. They need a good, clean supply of water, and not just puddles. As the temperature drops, water dishes freeze over. You should always clear away any ice that forms on your animal's water dish. If it is too difficult to remove the ice, one possibility is to pour a bucket of hot water over the ice. That way, the ice will melt somewhat. The water will also cool quickly, but if your animal gets to it soon, they will have a nice, warm drink.

Even though the weather is not very nice this time of year, dogs still need exercise. The tendency is to let the animals take a break from their normal walking or exercise routines. The dogs really need to continue with their customary exercise throughout the year. Winter is a time when many animals, and people, gain a lot of weight. Walking a dog is good exercise for the dog and its human.

Summer Weather

Summer is especially hard on our pets. They trust their owners to provide everything they need but sometimes we forget that dogs can be susceptable to hot weather just like us humans are

Be sure not to leave your animal(s) in your car. Even though the temperature outside might only be 75 degrees, the inside temperature of your car can easily reach as high as 120. If you must leave your animal(s) in your car, ensure that you leave the windows down as much as possible. Dogs and cats can easily get heat stroke.

When your animals are running around in the elevated tempeartures, ensure they have a cool place to rest and plenty of water. Also, ask your vet before shaving your dog. In some cases the heavy coat acts as insulation, preventing the animal from getting too hot.

Remember, dogs and cats don't sweat. The only way they have of removing excess heat is by panting. If your animal is suffering from heat stroke or heat contact your vet immediately. Ony way you can help your pet is by immediately soaking the animal in cold water then wrapping in a cool, damp blanket while you wait for help.

Heat Stroke Symptoms:

• exhaustion
• heavy panting
• lurching gait
• some animals may not be able to move at all

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