Seasonal Pet Tips: Weather Warnings for Westport Pet Owners
Now that fall is “officially” here; it’s time for Westport pet owners to start thinking about cold weather care for indoor and outdoor pets. A veterinary check-up can be a great way to get the new season started and ensure that your pet has all of the care and support they need to have a healthy fall and winter season. Work closely with your veterinarian in South Coast to provide your pet with the best in year-round care, whether that means making dietary changes, adding warmth to an outdoor enclosure, or even bringing outdoor pets indoors when the weather changes. Cats, dogs, rabbits, and other common pets all have different needs when it comes to proper care, which is why seasonal pet tips and veterinary support are so essential.
Dangers Lurking in the Fall
Every season poses its own unique set of risks for curious pets. In the summer, protecting your pet’s feet from hot sidewalks and asphalt can be a challenge, especially when your pet wants to go everywhere you go. In the autumn months, there are certain poisons that are used more frequently than during other times of the year. Rodenticides are common in the New England region, as homeowners, business owners, and farmers work diligently to keep mice and rats from entering homes, garages, barns, and sheds when the weather turns cold. Unfortunately, these products are also attractive to and extremely dangerous for pets. Make sure to keep them locked up and in an area where cats, dogs, and children cannot get to them and ingest them.
Other dangers can include coolants use for car engines as vehicle owners prepare their cars and trucks for cold weather running. These products are highly toxic and curiously attractive to pets. Be sure to clean up any spills – even if it seems like just a small amount – as soon as possible. Store coolant in a locked cabinet and keep them away from pets and children. The ethylene glycol-based coolants are more toxic than others, so consider switching to propylene glycol-based products instead. However, even these are not entirely safe, so take care to store them properly and keep them away from pets as well. They are significantly less toxic but are still considered toxic to pets.
Increased Local Wildlife
One of the best reasons to live in Southeastern Massachusetts is the natural surroundings and wildlife. Unfortunately, if the proper precautions are not taken, this can create a dangerous setting for pets and small children. Be sure to do what you can to keep leaves and other debris clear from your yard to reduce the chance of snakes coming into your yard to hibernate or search for prey. Learn all you can about the types of dangerous snakes in your area, so you will know where they like to sleep, hide, hunt, and live to help you prevent creating an ideal habitat for them.
In addition to snakes, there are other wildlife concerns. Raccoons, squirrels, and other rodents can bring in a whole host of problems if they come to your backyard. Coming in contact with pets or hanging out in areas where your pets also spend time can mean an increased chance for fleas, ticks, and all of the diseases that they can transfer from wild animals to your pets. Fleas and ticks also like human hosts, so if your pet brings these parasites indoors, your family could be at risk as well. Speak with your veterinarian in South Coast about preventive treatments and other seasonal pet tips at your next veterinary check-up to protect your pets and loved ones.
Other Seasonal Concerns
Environmental allergies can increase, resulting in a lot of itching, scratching, and chewing. If you notice these behaviors in your pet, consider contacting your local vet. It could be allergies or extremely dry skin, which is also more common during the fall and winter months. These symptoms could also indicate fleas or other insect and parasite problems, so Westport pet owners should schedule a veterinary check-up right away to prevent the issue from spreading to other pets or areas of the home.
Keep your pet warm in the fall. Consider getting sweaters or jackets for dogs, especially those who have short hair, thin coats, or are hairless. Booties are also great for fall and winter, protecting sensitive foot pads from damage and freezing temperatures. Create a warm and cozy spot for your pet indoors and be sure that outdoor pets have a warm place to go to when the temperature drops. Access to a heated garage, dog house, shed, or another area can help to protect your pet from sudden weather changes and keep them safe.
Schedule a Veterinary Check-Up
The best way to protect your pet from seasonal issues is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Contact Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth to schedule an appointment with a reputable veterinarian in South Coast. We have many years of experience serving Westport pet owners and pet owners from all over Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Give us a call at 508-996-3731 to schedule a veterinary check-up or to speak with one of our team members about seasonal pet tips and other pet care questions.