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With cooler temperatures approaching, it is important to take precautions to keep your pets safe and warm throughout the winter months.

Prolonged exposure to extreme cool temperatures can lead to frostbite, causing tissue damage to exposed areas, and hypothermia, a life-threatening drop in body temperature. Senior pets, along with very young pets or those with chronic illnesses, are more vulnerable. This becomes important for dogs and cats with arthritis, as cooler temperatures can lead to stiff joints and increased pain in the winter months.

At temperatures above 45°F most dogs are comfortable and safe outside for regular activities like walks and playtime. However, temperatures 45°F or below can cause discomfort in small, thin-coated, senior, immunocompromised, or ill dogs.

Frostbite and hypothermia become risks at temperatures below 32°F, especially in breeds not adapted to cold climates. At temperatures below 0°F, dogs should be allowed outside only for short bathroom breaks. Even hardy breeds can suffer frostbite and hypothermia quickly in these temperatures.

Cats are more vulnerable as temperatures drop below 32°F. Cats should remain indoors as much as possible, as even short exposure can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Frostbite risk areas include ears, tails, and paws. These areas are most susceptible to frostbite because they have less fur and are prone to freezing.

Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, lifting paws off the ground, whining or attempting to return indoors, lethargy, stiff muscles, slow breathing, and pale or blue gums. This can be life-threatening!

Precautions for Your Dogs

Know your dog’s cold tolerance and limit time outside. Try to keep your dog indoors as much as possible while ensuring that they get enough exercise. Shorten walks in extremely cold weather and keep your dog active indoors by providing enrichment and indoor play.

Avoid shaving your dog’s coat during winter as their natural fur provides insulation. Regular brushing can also help their coat retain warmth. Dry your dog thoroughly after exposure to rain or snow to prevent them from getting cold.

Use warm, durable winter coats and jackets, especially for short-haired or small breed dogs. Booties and paw wax protects paws from ice, snow, and harmful chemicals like salt. Consider protective paw balm to help prevent cracking and irritation from cold surfaces and ice melt. Rock salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate your pet’s paw pads and, if licked off the paws, their mouth. Be sure to wipe all paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them. Dogs are at particular risk of salt poisoning during the winter due to the rock salt used, often from licking their paws after a walk. There are many pet-safe ice melt options available.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste that may attract animals. Choose a pet-safe antifreeze because even small amounts of antifreeze can be lethal. Clean any antifreeze spills immediately and keep it out of reach. Coolants and antifreeze made with propylene glycol are less toxic to pets.

What About Outdoor Cats?

Outdoor cats need extra care as they often roam unsupervised. If possible, bring cats indoors during extreme weather. Subzero temperatures, snowstorms, or icy conditions are too dangerous for outdoor cats, so they should be temporarily housed indoors. If housing indoors is not possible, then providing outdoor shelter is very important. Create a weatherproof, insulated shelter with an entrance just large enough for a cat. Line the shelter with straw, as straw repels moisture and provides better insulation than blankets. Cats often seek warmth under car hoods so be very cautious when starting your car in the morning.

In freezing weather, outdoor cats might struggle to find unfrozen water or sufficient prey, leading to dehydration and malnutrition. There are many ways we can help keep outdoor cats safe this winter. Outdoor cats require extra calories to maintain body heat, so proper nutrition is important. Using heated water bowls and replacing water frequently is important to prevent freezing water. Avoid metal bowls as tongues can stick to frozen surfaces.

By taking these precautions, you and your pet can stay warm and healthy this winter.

By Dr. Angélica Calderón

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Precauciones Para Sus Mascotas en Climas Fríos

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Con la llegada de las temperaturas frías, es importante tomar todas las precauciones adecuadas para mantener a sus mascotas seguras y abrigadas durante los meses de invierno.

La exposición prolongada a temperaturas extremadamente frías puede provocar congelación, e hipotermia, una caída de la temperatura corporal potencialmente mortal. Las mascotas mayores y las muy jóvenes o aquellas con enfermedades crónicas son más vulnerables. Esto es importante para los perros y gatos con artritis, ya que las temperaturas frías pueden provocar rigidez en las articulaciones y aumento del dolor en los huesos.

A temperaturas superiores a 45 °F, la mayoría de los perros se sienten cómodos y seguros afuera para actividades como paseos y juegos. Sin embargo, las temperaturas de 45 °F o menos pueden causar molestias en perros pequeños, de pelaje fino, mayores, inmunocomprometidos o enfermos. La congelación y la hipotermia se convierten en riesgos a temperaturas inferiores a 32 °F, especialmente en razas no adaptadas a climas fríos. Los gatos son más vulnerables cuando las temperaturas caen por debajo de los 32°F. A temperaturas inferiores a 0 °F, deje que los perros salgan solo para breves descansos para ir al baño. Incluso las razas vulnerables pueden sufrir congelación e hipotermia rápidamente con estas temperaturas. Los gatos deben permanecer en el interior el mayor tiempo posible, ya que incluso una exposición breve puede provocar congelación o hipotermia. Las áreas de riesgo de congelación incluyen orejas, colas y patas. Estas áreas son más susceptibles a la congelación porque tienen menos pelaje y son propensas a congelarse.

Los síntomas de hipotermia incluyen escalofríos, levantar las patas del suelo, gemir o intentar regresar al interior, letargo, rigidez muscular, respiración lenta y encías pálidas o azules. ¡Estos pueden poner en peligro la vida!

Precauciones Para los Perros

Conozca la tolerancia al frío de su perro y limite el tiempo que pasa afuera. Trate de mantener a su perro adentro el mayor tiempo posible, pero asegúrese de que aún haga suficiente ejercicio. Acorte las caminatas en climas extremadamente fríos y mantenga a su perro activo en el interior brindándole enriquecimiento y juego en el interior.

Evite cortar el pelo de su perro muy corto durante el invierno, ya que su pelaje natural le proporciona aislamiento. El cepillado regular también puede ayudar a que su pelaje retenga el calor. Seque bien a su perro después de exponerlo a la lluvia o la nieve para evitar que se enfríe.

Utilice abrigos y chaquetas de invierno cálidos y duraderos, especialmente para perros de pelo corto o de razas pequeñas. Los botines y la cera para patas protegen las patas del hielo, la nieve y productos químicos como la sal. Considere utilizar un bálsamo protector para las patas para ayudar a prevenir la irritación causadas por las superficies frías y el hielo derretido. La sal de roca y otros productos químicos utilizados para derretir la nieve y el hielo pueden irritar las almohadillas de las patas de su mascota. Asegúrese de limpiar todas las patas con una toalla húmeda antes de que su mascota las lama e irrite su boca. Los perros corren un riesgo particular de intoxicación por sal durante el invierno debido a la sal de roca utilizada, casi siempre por lamerse las patas después de un paseo. Hay muchas opciones disponibles para derretir hielo apto para mascotas.

El anticongelante tiene un sabor dulce que puede atraer a los animales. Elija un anticongelante apto para mascotas, ya que el envenenamiento por anticongelante puede ser letal incluso en pequeñas cantidades. Limpie cualquier derrame de anticongelante inmediatamente y manténgalo fuera de su alcance. Los refrigerantes y anticongelantes elaborados con propilenglicol son menos tóxicos para las mascotas.

Y Los Gatos de Afuera?

Los gatos que viven afuera necesitan cuidados especiales, ya que andan sin supervisión. Si es posible, lleve a los gatos al interior durante condiciones climáticas extremas. Las temperaturas bajo cero, las tormentas de nieve o las condiciones heladas son demasiado peligrosas para los gatos que viven afuera y deben de mantenerlos temporalmente adentro. Si no es posible, es muy importante proporcionar refugio afuera. Cree un refugio aislado y resistente a la intemperie con una entrada lo suficientemente grande para un gato. Cubra el refugio con paja, ya que la paja repele la humedad y proporciona un mejor aislamiento que las cobijas. Los gatos suelen buscar calor debajo del capó de los coches, así que hay que tener mucho cuidado.

En climas helados, los gatos de afuera pueden tener dificultades para encontrar agua no congelada o presas suficientes, lo que provoca deshidratación y desnutrición. Hay muchas maneras en que podemos ayudar a mantener seguros a los gatos de afuera.

Los gatos de afuera necesitan calorías adicionales para mantener el calor corporal, por lo que una nutrición adecuada es importante. Es importante utilizar calentadores de agua y reemplazar el agua con frecuencia para evitar que se congele. Evite los tazones de metal ya que la lengua puede pegarse a las superficies congeladas.

Si toma estas precauciones, usted y su mascota podrán mantenerse abrigados y saludables este invierno.

By Dr. Angélica Calderón

Oh, what a typical December in a year of continual peace and normalcy.

What’s your favorite holiday memory regarding socially distanced Zoom calls with family members you haven’t seen in person for years due to splintered political realities followed by a deadly pandemic all the while keeping your 6-year-old son inside and away from his friends for 9 months and simultaneously being forced to keep an external facade of sanity and light fun in your two-holiday household while your profession, which is universally adored and undervalued at the same time, is more in demand of your time than at any other period in history?

I have so many.

So we know what usually happens here on the holiday. There is a cute blog post about keeping your dogs and cats safe, titled something like “’Tis the Wheezin’: Asthma During the Holidays.” I have written some in the past (HERE), and feel free to read. It generally can be summed up by this wise adage: “Don’t let your dog and cat eat things or get burned and remember that New Year’s Eve in Chicago generally involves people who do not have children and animals lighting off fireworks late at night to make those of us who do angry.” And don’t buy puppies, kittens, or bunnies as gifts. Instead, buy books like this inspirational tale for the animal lover in your life.

But I’m going to write about an unrelated topic: domesticated cats and the outdoors. I can imagine, even before writing this, that many people have strong feelings about this topic. My intention is not to pass judgment on anyone. I want to just give you the veterinarian perspective, and possibly give you an excuse to see photos of my fat indoor cats sitting next to holiday decorations, because that is how we indoor-cat people are generally seen and heard.

Some cats go outside. Cats go outside because some people feel that they have no choice but to let the cat out. Some people feel that it is philosophically cruel to not let the cat out, and some cats get outside by accident. All are acceptable.

I will be upfront and tell you that my two cats, Crocodile the Russian Blue mutt and Penelope the one-eyed tuxedo, do not go outside. They both try at times and have both gotten out before, but they stay inside and tolerate the complete subservience of all surrounding them.

Some of the dangers facing an outdoor cat are pretty obvious, but let’s go through them (you and I, together, like old friends who aren’t being watched):

1. Fighting with Other Cats

Cat bites and scratches are bad, cause severe infections, and can be fatal. All veterinarians have seen cats brought in with bite wounds that have become severely infected and, at worst, can puncture the abdomen, chest, eyeball, or throat and need surgical fix, hospital stays, and even euthanasia. We clean it up and give antibiotics, but it’s always concerning. This also can lead to:

2. Spread of Infectious Disease

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are spread through the exchange of bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.). Let’s just assume that the cats outside getting into fights are mostly ones that are homeless, and that homeless cats comprise the largest population of cats carrying these viral diseases. Well, the logic chain/train follows, and you see the danger. We can vaccinate for FeLV, so if your cat does go outside, you can get this done. There is no vaccine for FIV. And no treatment for either disease.

3. Other Infectious Disease

Rabies is a classic viral hit and can be spread through other cats or wild animals (bats, skunks, foxes). Make sure your outside cat is vaccinated for rabies, not only because it is the law but also because, even though it is rare, your sweet rabid cat can kill you and your family. (Still waiting for the Hallmark Channel’s Very Special Rabies Christmas.)

Just for fun let’s add endless respiratory infections (that can pass on to the other cats in your house), feline distemper (get your cat vaccinated for that, too), and parasitic diseases such as fleas (get monthly flea protection), ticks (get monthly tick protection), ear mites, intestinal worms (have monthly dewormers given), and ringworm.

All but one of these diseases can be passed on to you, your children, your grandparents, their friends, their friends’ neighbor, your friends’ neighbors’ son’s cat, etc. You see how this works. If you have an outdoor cat, and you’re afraid to tell your veterinarian (which you shouldn’t be), you can still take all the precautions: vaccines, preventatives, etc.

4. And Even More Infectious Disease

For the lucky, cats bring home presents, such as mice, birds, rats, etc. The rodents bring diseases and other rodents. It’s endless.

5. Cats Get Hit by Cars…

… get hit by bikers, get stuck in garages, get hurt by bad people, get snagged on fences, freeze to death, etc. [Cut to unwatchable montage of more horrible things.] It happens.

My previous cat got stuck in someone’s garage. I could not find her and searched for hours around the neighborhood. I eventually heard a cat crying in a garage and called the police who, hours later, located the owner who wasn’t on premise, to open the door. That could have easily gone another way, and I will write that fan fiction novel later.

“Lost cat” signs litter my current neighborhood, and you know they aren’t lost with a hobo bag on a train. They are all either dead, or (at best) living their lives with someone else. Also please have your outdoor cats microchipped. It’s not painful and may save your cats’ lives. You can also buy GPS trackers for their collars. I am not promoting a specific brand, but they are available anywhere.

6. Overpopulation

Cats are really good at making babies, causing the population of stray cats in the city to blow up. These cats either end up being helped by people/shelters that can barely deal with the cats they have or they are left to fend for themselves on the streets to die, starve, or spread more disease.

So first, get your outdoor cat spayed or neutered. It is absolutely the best thing for them, for their health, and to keep down the population of wild cats in need. I also do not need to explain to you how a wild tom cat will treat a sweet young lady cat taking a stroll down the promenade with her uterus and ovaries. If you want to reduce the chances that your boy cat doesn’t get into a fight, well, then neuter. There are conflicting statistics, but most sources suggest that one female cat and her mate and all the subsequent offspring amounts to 11 million cats in nine years.

7. Anti-Nature

Lastly, I fear that some of you feel like the most natural thing for the world is to let your cats outside and let them live the full entirety of their existence. I get this, I really do, but also understand how much destruction to the natural environment cats do. They destroy natural foliage and other wildlife despite their good intentions. There is some very good evidence that the best thing for “nature” is to keep your cats inside, and you can find many other resources on this topic.

There are cats that do better when they go outside. I’ve had clients keep their cats inside and later see them become anxious, yowl, not eat, urinate all over the house, etc. I don’t want your cats to suffer, but if you want to make that transition, there are things we can do. It may not be the case that your cat is anxious because it can’t go outside. In fact, it may be that it has always been anxious, but you never noticed until you kept it inside. Always have us examine your cat before making any judgments. Maybe your formerly outdoor cat is suffering from something else (UTI, pain, etc.).

As always, feel free to discuss with us at any time. This wasn’t meant to be a philosophical treatise on domesticated animals’ rights, though that is generally how I fantasize spending a great deal of my off time.

Try to relax during these times and make sure you don’t feed your dogs chocolate-covered antifreeze-infused garlic balls for the holidays, or give your cats kerosene holiday lamps for Hanukkah.

I will continue to lord over Secret Santas everywhere while I fulfill my long-standing December tradition of making holiday cookies I can’t eat in a house I don’t own. 

Be safe, don’t travel, wear masks, and shop locally on-line. And Black Panther is a holiday movie.

— Brett Grossman, DVM