PROTECT YOUR PET FROM HYPOTHERMIA AND FROSTBITE BRINGING HOME A NEW PET? Freeze Warning!
Bringing home a new pet for the first time can be exciting and nerve- wracking. One moment, you might be thinking of quiet nights curled up on the couch with your new furry friend, and then suddenly catch yourself worrying whether your carpets and furniture will survive. That mix of feelings is perfectly normal, but preparation can help keep your stress levels down. Start by getting your house ready. Tuck away cords, move toxic houseplants, and set up an area with food and a bed. Puppies and kittens are like curious toddlers. They always seem to find the one thing you missed, so assume anything left out could be chewed, batted, or swallowed. Food is another early test. For dogs, real meat should be at the top of the list. Cats need the same, since grain-heavy diets don’t do them any good. Birds, reptiles, and other unusual pets have their own needs, so it’s worth doing a little homework before buying. Routine also makes life easier. Feed them at the same times, build in bathroom breaks, and play regularly. Miss a walk, and your dog will remind you in no uncertain terms. Socialization matters, too. If you have a puppy, try mixing up your walking routes. Exposing it to different streets with new sights, sounds, and smells stimulates it in a good way and reduces anxiety. Kittens should be given space to explore without being pushed. A rescue cat may take weeks before it relaxes, but patience usually wins. Quick Tips to Start Pet Life Right
Playing outdoors in the snow with your pet can be a highlight of the winter months. But despite their fur coats, dogs and cats are vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite just like humans. The risks rise sharply when temperatures fall near or below freezing. Here is what you need to know to protect your pet. Signs of Trouble Learning to recognize and respond to signs of hypothermia can save your pet’s life! Symptoms in dogs include shivering, muscle stiffness, lethargy, weakness, disorientation, and shallow breathing. Your pet’s gums will become pale, their eyes will dilate, and their ears, legs, feet, and paws will feel
cool to the touch. In severe cases, the shivering will stop, and your pet may collapse. Their breathing will become irregular, and their heart rate will drop dangerously low, risking neurological damage and death.
Symptoms in cats are similar. As mild hypothermia sets in, they may shiver and breathe more rapidly as their blood pressure and heart rate increase. As their condition worsens, they may become weak and lethargic and exhibit abnormal heart rhythms.
Frostbite is a cold-weather risk that pet parents may not notice. Frostbite shows up on the skin as pale or discolored areas that are swollen or tender to the touch, usually in the paws, ears, or tail areas. Pets with second-degree frostbite may also develop blisters or ulcers on exposed areas. Ways to Help Small dogs, senior dogs, puppies, and canines with short coats are all more vulnerable to cold weather. Older pets or those suffering from chronic medical conditions, such as heart or kidney disease, are also at greater risk. Recent exposure to anesthesia is another risk factor. For pets with mild symptoms, bring them indoors and warm them gradually, wrapping them in a towel or blanket. Never apply heating pads or hot water bottles directly to your pet’s skin, as this may cause burns or even induce shock. Meanwhile, contact your veterinarian. Your vet can check your pet’s temperature and symptoms to determine the severity of their condition and, if needed, administer more advanced internal treatments to warm your pet gradually and safely. And anytime your pet becomes unresponsive or feels cold to the touch after exposure to the cold, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. The best defense against all these risks is a good offense. Sweaters can protect dogs and cats against hypothermia and frostbite, and booties can be helpful for dogs. Above all, avoid exposing your pet to the cold for long stretches of time!
And don’t delay that first vet visit. Even if your pet looks fine, an early exam can catch problems and set you up with a vaccine schedule.
The first few weeks as a new pet owner can be messy. Shoes might get chewed, accidents happen, and sleep takes a hit. Over time, though, the rough edges fade into stories. Before long, the same animal that kept you on your toes will become one of the best parts of your household.
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