Help them beat the chill
2 Jan 2013 3:15 AM IST
With the mercury dipping each passing day, the chill can get harmful for your furry friends. Unlike humans, animals have lower immunity levels, hence taking care of them becomes more important during the winters.
Change in weather conditions, decreasing temperature and other dangers of winter may pose a number of expected and unexpected health threats to your pets. Therefore, shielding them from diseases and infections becomes a daunting task.
‘Some long-haired breeds, such as German Shepherds and Huskies, are better suited to cold winters and love the weather. But other sensitive breeds need protection during this season,’ said Dr KG Umesh, Waltham Scientific Communication Manager, South Asia, Mars India. ‘Older dogs are usually more vulnerable to the adverse effects of winters. Dogs with health conditions like a hormone imbalance, heart problems, kidney disease or diabetes are not able to regulate their body heat appropriately. Ones who are suffering from arthritis can experience considerable discomfort as cold weather can make their stiff joints stiffer. Vaccination, de-worming and regular health check ups are important during winter,’ added Umesh.
By following certain steps, you can ensure that your pets are in pink of health:
FEEDING: Give your pet more food during cold weather than you do during the hot months. Dogs, for example, may need upto 25 per cent more energy in the winter than they do in the summer, especially those who exercise outdoors. Pets need extra food because exercising outdoors in cold weather takes up more energy. Ensure that you feed them energy-dense food and give them balanced nutrition.
EXERCISE: Take your pets out for walks at frequent intervals. Increasing their physical activity will help keep the metabolism under control and winter ailments at bay.
GROOMING: Groom your dog in winters using dry bathing technique by brushing corn starch or baby powder. Your dog probably won’t get very dirty in the winter, and you may not need to bathe them. But if you do, it’s very important that you keep him warm after the shower.
HAIR SHEDDING: Hair loss is common for dogs in this season. Every winter, dogs shed their summer coat and grow a nice thick one. However, taking your pet for a visit to the vet for examination of parasites like fleas, ticks, mange or allergy, hormonal imbalance, bacterial or yeast infection that causes hair loss is required.
BEDDING: Dogs exposed to extreme cold weather conditions may become hypothermic or even develop frostbite. Dog owners may select from a bedding options such as pads, blankets or quilts and straw or hay. Adding a thick blanket to the bed will help.
Change in weather conditions, decreasing temperature and other dangers of winter may pose a number of expected and unexpected health threats to your pets. Therefore, shielding them from diseases and infections becomes a daunting task.
‘Some long-haired breeds, such as German Shepherds and Huskies, are better suited to cold winters and love the weather. But other sensitive breeds need protection during this season,’ said Dr KG Umesh, Waltham Scientific Communication Manager, South Asia, Mars India. ‘Older dogs are usually more vulnerable to the adverse effects of winters. Dogs with health conditions like a hormone imbalance, heart problems, kidney disease or diabetes are not able to regulate their body heat appropriately. Ones who are suffering from arthritis can experience considerable discomfort as cold weather can make their stiff joints stiffer. Vaccination, de-worming and regular health check ups are important during winter,’ added Umesh.
By following certain steps, you can ensure that your pets are in pink of health:
FEEDING: Give your pet more food during cold weather than you do during the hot months. Dogs, for example, may need upto 25 per cent more energy in the winter than they do in the summer, especially those who exercise outdoors. Pets need extra food because exercising outdoors in cold weather takes up more energy. Ensure that you feed them energy-dense food and give them balanced nutrition.
EXERCISE: Take your pets out for walks at frequent intervals. Increasing their physical activity will help keep the metabolism under control and winter ailments at bay.
GROOMING: Groom your dog in winters using dry bathing technique by brushing corn starch or baby powder. Your dog probably won’t get very dirty in the winter, and you may not need to bathe them. But if you do, it’s very important that you keep him warm after the shower.
HAIR SHEDDING: Hair loss is common for dogs in this season. Every winter, dogs shed their summer coat and grow a nice thick one. However, taking your pet for a visit to the vet for examination of parasites like fleas, ticks, mange or allergy, hormonal imbalance, bacterial or yeast infection that causes hair loss is required.
BEDDING: Dogs exposed to extreme cold weather conditions may become hypothermic or even develop frostbite. Dog owners may select from a bedding options such as pads, blankets or quilts and straw or hay. Adding a thick blanket to the bed will help.
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