Seasonal Pet Care in New Bedford, MA for Small and Large Pets

Now that autumn has arrived “officially,” pet owners in New Bedford need to start planning for their pets’ care in the colder months. A trip to the vet is a great way to kick off the new season and make sure your pet is set up for a happy and healthy transition into the cooler months. If you want to give your pet the best care possible all year long, consult your South Coast veterinarian about making dietary adjustments, heating an outdoor enclosure, or bringing pets inside during colder months. Seasonal pet advice and veterinary support are important because different common pets have different care requirements, such as cats, dogs, and rabbits.

What New Bedford Pet Owners Need to Know

There are new dangers for pets that like to explore during each different season. When your pet follows you everywhere, it’s not easy to keep his or her paws off the hot pavement during the summer. It’s common practice to use certain poisons more frequently in the fall than at other times of the year. Homeowners, business owners, and farmers in the New England area frequently resort to the use of rodenticides in the fall and winter months to prevent mice and rats from invading their buildings. These products, despite being appealing to humans, can be fatal to pets. Keep them in a secure location out of the reach of pets and kids to prevent accidental ingestion.

Also, as people get their cars and trucks ready to drive in the cold, they may use coolants, which can pose a risk. Strangely enough, these items are both highly poisonous and irresistibly appealing to pets. Every spill, no matter how insignificant, requires prompt attention. Keep refrigerants in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children and pets. Ethylene glycol-based coolants are more dangerous than propylene glycol-based ones, so you may want to switch. However, even these have safety concerns, so it’s important to properly store them and keep them out of the reach of pets. Although they are much less toxic, they are still dangerous to pets.

Autumn Pet Requirements in MA

Southeastern Massachusetts is a desirable place to live in part because of its abundance of wildlife and natural landscapes. Unfortunately, if safety measures aren’t taken, both pets and young children could be put in harm’s way. If you don’t want snakes to use your yard as a hibernation spot or hunting ground, you should remove as many leaves and other debris as possible from the ground. Find out as much as you can about the local dangerous snake species so that you can avoid creating a habitat favorable to them by knowing where they like to sleep, hide, hunt, and live.

There are other wild animals that could be a problem besides snakes. Any rodents, such as raccoons, squirrels, or chipmunks, can cause havoc in your backyard. Fleas, ticks, and the diseases they carry from wild animals to domestic pets are more likely to infest people and pets when those people and pets are in close contact. If your pet brings fleas or ticks into the house, they may spread to the rest of your family. Protect your pets and family by discussing seasonal pet tips and preventative treatments with your veterinarian in South Coast at your next appointment.

Winter Tips for Small Pets

Intensified environmental allergies can bring on a frenzy of gnawing, scratching, and licking. Call your pet’s doctor if you see any of these symptoms. Allergies and severe dry skin are two possible causes, both of which tend to flare up in the cooler months. These signs may also point to an infestation of fleas or other insects and parasites; pet owners in New Bedford would be wise to have their animals checked by a vet without delay to stop the problem from spreading to other animals or the house.

Be sure your pet has a warm place to stay this season. If you have a dog with a short coat, a thin coat, or no coat at all, you may want to invest in a sweater or jacket. To keep feet warm and dry in chilly weather, booties are a great accessory for fall and winter. If your pet spends time outside, make sure they have access to a warm, safe space when the temperature outside drops. If you want to keep your pet safe from the effects of extreme weather, having access to a heated garage, dog house, shed, or other area is essential.

Seasonal Pet Care in New Bedford

Preventing seasonal health problems in your pet is the best way to protect them. To make an appointment with a trusted veterinarian in the South Coast area, call Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth. For a long time, we’ve been helping pet owners not just in New Bedford, but throughout all of Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Call us at 508-996-3731 if you have any questions about your pet’s health, would like to schedule an appointment, or need seasonal pet care advice.