Are Your Pets Winterized For The Winter?

Once again, as winter arrives with rain, snow and freezing temperatures, it is time for us to "winterize" our animals just as we do ourselves. Our furry friends can be just as susceptible to the cold weather like us and all it takes is some common sense and a few modifications to keep your pets safe and comfortable during the harsh winters. Here are a few tips that may help you keep your pet safe and comfortable.

* Make sure that you keep your dog's hair long during the winter to help with insulation. This will require you to bathe and brush them more frequently to keep the long hair tangle free and clean. Always remember to bathe them in a warm room and blow-dry their hair to prevent the animal from getting the chills.

* All pets should be fed a higher protein diet during the winter months to help them burn the extra energy required to keep them warm.

* For smaller animals and even some larger ones, dog sweaters and cat sweaters are available at your local pet store. They are designed to hold the warmth of the animal within the sweater. If you are a craft person, you can make homemade sweaters for your own animals.

* Dogs should be walked more frequently and for shorter durations to prevent hypothermia. When you return home, make sure you wipe off their paws to remove any ice, snow or salt used to melt the snow around town. It will also dry the paws so that they do not get cold and wet.

* Be very careful and do not let your animal get into antifreeze and drink it. You should consider buying antifreeze made from propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. You should also be careful that your animal does not get loose and possibly find antifreeze in someone else's yard and drink it.

Although there are more tips for taking care of your animal in the winter months, if you start with these basic guidelines and animal-proof your home, you have the chance of having a nice winter for your furry friends.