winter woes - taking care of Fido - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, Nov, 2000 by Trisha Blanchet

unless you own a pack of sled dogs, the arrival of winter weather inevitably brings with it a number of pet-care quandaries. How cold is too cold to leave your pet outside? Do animals get frostbite? And how can you keep your favorite canine from developing reptile-dry skin?

Depending upon the whims of Father Winter, pet owners' concerns can range from mere nuisances in some years to life-or-death situations in others. In general, however, areas north of the Mason-Dixon line face winter conditions that can prove uncomfortable, dangerous or even deadly to unprotected dogs and cats.

One of the first symptoms of winter discontent in animals (and people) is dry, flaky skin. "Because pets spend much of their time indoors in the winter, they're trapped in the environment we create," says Konrad Kruesi, D.V.M., of North Clarendon, Vt. He recommends using a humidifier to moisten the air and keeping skin from drying out, and using a HEPA filter in your air cleaner to trap dust, dander and mold spores that can accumulate indoors and aggravate dry skin conditions.

Diet also plays a crucial role in skin health; for dogs, Kruesi suggests adding a generous portion of fresh vegetables or sweet green sprouts, such as mung bean or alfalfa, to each meal. "Skin health relates to kidney, liver, circulatory and respiratory system function," he explains. "Providing a good diet of raw veggies helps the body maintain healthy skin year-round." Fresh greens and vegetables are rich in fatty acids, which help the skin retain a normal level of oil and moisture, Kruesi adds. Cats enjoy munching on sprouted wheat, barley or oats, all of which are easy to grow indoors in the winter. Fresh avocado, dill and cilantro are also beneficial and generally well received by both cats and dogs: add half a teaspoon of one of these to your cat's meal, and one heaping tablespoon per meal for dogs.

In his book The Nature of Animal Healing (Random House, 1999), Martin Goldstein, D.V.M., stresses the importance of fatty acids in a pet's diet. "Fatty acids energize the cells of dry skin and add luster to the coat," Goldstein writes. He recommends safflower, sesame and flaxseed oils as particularly good sources; mixing a small amount of the oil into your pet's food twice a week should do the trick.

Regular grooming can benefit animals' hair and skin as well by stimulating circulation and removing dead cells. Once a week, firmly brush the fur using a brush tailored to your pet's coat type. If you don't know what kind of brush your pet requires, ask your vet.

Winter hazards are more than just skin deep, however. Salt used to de-ice roads and driveways can sting and irritate dry, cracked paw pads and can be toxic if ingested. After a walk on salted streets, wipe off your dog's coat and paws before you go inside to eliminate potential problems. Sand is a more benign alternative to salt to prevent slips in your own yard. Though it doesn't melt ice, it helps make surfaces less slippery.

Antifreeze, even in small amounts, is poison to pets. Most commercial brands contain the toxic chemical ethylene-glycol, which has a sweet taste few animals can resist. Consider switching to the more expensive but considerably less toxic propylene-glycol antifreeze.

Perhaps the most commonly asked question about winter pet care involves the length of time it is safe to let pets roam outdoors in cold weather. "Of course, it all depends on the breed," Kruesi says. Huskies are better adapted for the cold than poodles, for example, though some veterinarians say 15 degrees Fahrenheit is the cutoff point for even the hardiest of pets. Cats who wander outside in the winter face their own set of dangers: While seeking warmth, many felines crawl inside trash bins or onto warm car engines--sometimes with fatal results.

In general, cats should be kept indoors as much as possible in the coldest months. In addition to being less adapted to the chill than dogs, they are also more likely to wander and become lost in severe weather. All cats and dogs allowed outside in winter, even for a limited time, should have access to shelter and a blanket or bed for warmth. Sweaters and booties may be helpful for short-haired breeds, though pet owners should know that frostbite most commonly strikes the tips of the ears and tail. As always, animals require access to fresh water at all times. Water served outdoors in a large, deep bowl will freeze more slowly than that served in a smaller, shallow bowl.

"Common sense is the rule," says Kruesi. "Pay attention to the temperature and length of time your pets are outdoors. As long as they're not neglected, many animals will be able to tolerate cold weather just fine." Especially if they have a warm lap waiting for them inside.