Give your animals special care during the winter months

By Linda Dunaway
Special to the Herald

Are your animals prepared for winter? Here are some things to remember to keep your pets safe and healthy as the temperature (and the snow) falls.

Winter shelter:
Cats and dogs need protection. Although indoors is always best, an outdoor dog needs a dry elevated dog house with clean bedding and a flap over the opening to keep drafts out.

Food and water:
Check outdoor water often for freezing to make sure your pet has drinkable water. Outdoor dogs need more calories in the winter to produce body heat, so increase the food in the cold months.

Indoor/outdoor pets:
When your pet comes inside from using the outdoor facilities, remove any mud, salt, ice or sand from his fur and paws. Check for any signs of frostbite, which is characterized by gray, white or reddish skin that may have a scaly appearance.

Antifreeze warning:
This tastes and smells sweet to pets, but is a deadly poison. Clean up any spills, because ingested antifreeze can kill pets. Keep containers out of reach.

Cats & cars:
Honk your horn or pound on the hood of your car before starting your engine on a cold day, because cats seek shelter and warmth near the engine of automobiles. A cat may get caught in the fan and be injured seriously when engine starts.

Holiday treats & trim;
Turkey bones and chocolate can be toxic or harmful to your pet. Holiday decorations can also be a danger. Keep wrapping, tinsel, and ornaments out of reach. If you are setting up lights, cover electrical cords.

Winter care for horses
Feed high quality hays at least twice a day. Provide clean water and salt at all times. Control parasites by deworming. Pull shoes and trim hooves on a regular basis. Feel condition with bare hands under its heavy winter coat. Provide shelter from the elements.