pet tips

If your pet's still hesitant about wintertime walks, and not as willing to wear the booties as you'd hope, try the tip I was emailed just this week: Prevent those painful ice balls between paw pads and spritz the paws with a cooking spray before talking that next potty break. You'll still need to wash his feet when he gets back in (which you should be doing anyway because of the possible poisons on the sidewalks), but this will at least combat the pain that makes summertime scampering look more like slinking down the street these days.

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Let's tackle a common problem with doggies in cold-weather climates – especially in cities where bathroom breaks come in the form of walks on snowy sidewalks. Even North was hesitant about potty time in Winter, preferring to do his business where there was the least amount of slush to trudge through (usually the curb). If you've also had (or still have!) this problem, let's come up with ways to help pups get over it or solutions to at least make it a lil easier on them in the meantime.

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In many states, it is legal to put down lime-rock salt or calcium-chloride salt to melt the snow on city streets. However, this seemingly innocuous substance is very poisonous to dogs – when pups return inside, and lick their paws, it can cause them to throw up (or worse). Also, its rough texture can cut their little feet and put salt in their wounds, literally . . . ouch! When animals who have walked on salt-covered paths return home, be sure to clean paws off thoroughly or put booties on them before they go outside. Remember trudging through snowbanks in your boots is completely different than pooches wading through the cold stuff up to their bellies! Consider toting a little shovel or pointy-tipped umbrella to clear a trail for your pup to do his business on snowy roads.

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Never force a pet to spend time outside in the winter. Just because a pet has a fur coat, does not mean that their bodies or hair can handle the cold. Many pets love the winter and have thick appropriate coats, but little, short-haired dogs or cats can get frostbitten quickly. Keep the fur between their toe pads clipped down to prevent mini snowballs or icicles from forming between their little toes and consider coating their dry paw patches with a paw de-icer spray or balm. Make sure to take extra care to toast up a pet after outdoor adventures in the freezing weather – keep a pan or washcloth ready with warm water to rinse paws and plenty of towels for drying and cleaning off, too!

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As temperatures continue to drop throughout much of the US, and the hours of daylight seem less and less every time you hit the snooze button, these unfortunate changes also present extra risks for your furry friends. Right off the bat, I think it's a good time to bring even those outdoor kitties in. Not only does this season bring about the risk of freezing, but if pets wander off and cannot find their way home, the dangers are great. Snow causes low visibility and dampens sounds which can limit pets' abilities to hear or see cars coming. Plus, rainy and icy roads make it harder to stop quickly if you do see a darting creature in the dark. To hear more about keeping pets safe from cars during the wintertime, read more