Archive for December, 2010

Its winter in Seattle and there are things to keep in mind for your pets and also for those stray kitties that have to live outside.  As a Ballard and Green Lake area dog walker I am out walking dogs in the winter and I have found that most dogs don’t mind the cold! They even walk on the white crunchy grass with no problem.

However, short haired dogs will do best with a jacket.

These winter pet tips are courtesy of the ASPCA, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/cold-weather-tips.aspx

Brrrr…it’s cold outside!  The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
2. During 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. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
4. 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 potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Dog walking in Seattle leads to somewet weather walking. The dogs reallydont mind once they are out and moving.

I have found that the best thing for winter dog walking is a dog jacket that has fleece on the inside for warmth and a raincoat outside for rain protection. I have this jacket and Buddy likes it! http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4061034

If your dog doesnt want to walk in his coat, start slow.Put the jacket on and give him a treat. take it off. Then next time put it on, give him a treat and leave it on. Give him treats while he has it on and associate treats with jacket. Then walk. if he resists, put the collar behind his ears and shorten the leash. This will put your dog in a heel. You can pull up and get your dogs feet moving! Be the leader and assertive.

I find that the dogs stay clean and dry under their jackets. They also stay warm!

I am a ballard dog walker and I always recommend dog jackets to myclients during the winter.

warmwalking

Sarah

Well besides walking dogs all day, this Seattle dog walker likes to host events for the dog community. When it is too rainy for the little dogs to go to go to one of our Seattle dog parks, bring them to Petapoluza for an indoor dog playdates! Just like a mini seattle dogdaycare, but with treats, pup-tinis and you!

Please rsvp at Petapoluza or email me at sarah@elitepetcare.com