WS Chronicle

Photo by Shayna Smith

Bella shows how dogs should be covered when outside in the cold weather.

Special to the Chronicle

Here are some tips on keeping your outside pet warm and healthy for the winter.

*Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice.  He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

*Consider getting your short-haired breed a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers the dog from base of the tail on the top to the belly underneath.  This may seem like a luxury, however to some breeds is a necessity.

*Adult dogs tolerate the cold much better than puppies. If necessary, paper train your puppy inside if he appears to be sensitive to the weather.

*Increased food, particularly protein, will help keep your dog’s fur thick and healthy.  This is particularly important if your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities.

*Coolant, like antifreeze, is a lethal poison for dogs and cats.  Be careful to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

*Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter.  Leave the coat longer for more warmth.  When you bathe your dog, completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.

*Pets need a warm place to sleep away from all drafts and off the floor, such as in a dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow in it.

*In the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars.  When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt.  Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the car hood to give the cat the chance to escape.

*More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure that they always wear I.D. tags.  If you’re in Forsyth County, it’s the law.  Don’t let your dogs off the leash on snow or ice.  Dogs can lose their scent and easily get lost.

When evening weather conditions in our area hover in the 20s at night, your pet could suffer from hypothermia if there is not adequate shelter from the elements.  In some cases when there are wet conditions, it could be a matter of hours before symptoms of hypothermia set in.

If you are a resident of Forsyth County, and have an outside pet that needs a dog house, the county has a limited numbero to give away.  Houses for Hounds program was developed for the purpose of providing free dog houses to lower income Forsyth County residents.

UnChain Winston also provides free straw bedding that can be picked up at the Forsyth County Animal Control during normal business hours.

Also, the Department of Animal Control’s Animeals program assists elderly, disabled or lower income residents of Forsyth County by offering free pet food for their cats and dogs.

For more information or to send an application for assistance for both programs, you can visit the Animal Control website at www.forsyth.cc/animalcontrol and fill out the online application form or call 336-703-2480 for more information.