Caring for your pets in the winter

Winter is upon us, and while there are only a couple more months left, it seems the coldest is with us now. Our pets rely on us to take care of them and even if they are outdoor pets, it is our responsibility to make sure they are well cared for in the cold wintery months. Here are a few tips to keep your pets comfortable and safe this winter.

When temperatures are low, make sure you bring them inside, especially in areas where the wind chill brings the temperature down even further. You should also bring them inside before a snow or ice storm.

Feral and outdoor cats will sometimes sleep under the hood of cars, which can be hazardous to them when the motor it is started. Make sure to loudly tap the hood of your car before turning it on to give them a chance to get out from under the hood before you start up your car.

Never let you dog off its leash in the ice or snow. Dogs can lose their scent when the ground is covered and get lost. Most dogs get lost during the winter, especially after it snows, so make sure they are wearing their id tags and that you keep their leash on.

If your dog is sensitive to the cold, make sure you only take them out to use the bathroom. Cold weather can irritate your dog’s joints, especially when they are older – so keep them inside when it’s cold.

The ice and cold pavement can wreak havoc on your pet’s pads and paws, if they get cracked and dry – make sure to rub a little PetHealth Pad & Paw Balm into their pad and in-between their nails to keep them moisturized and soft. Don’t do it everyday, unless recommended by a vet; if their pads are to soft – it can increase the risk of injury. PetHealth™ Pad & Balm is a combination of jojoba seed oil, almond seed oil, sunflower seed oil, beeswax, carnauba and petroleum jelly, designed to moisturize and protect the pad and paw. PetHealth Pad & Paw Balm helps in the care of minor skin irritations and promotes normal healing of the pad and paw.

Because the cold weather can contribute to a decline in joint health, give your pets PetHealth™ OPC Formula with Glucosamine for Dogs & Cats. Glucosamine has been shown to be very effective at promoting overall joint health and comfort in dogs and cats. PetHealth OPC Formula with Glucosamine for Dogs & Cats combines all of the benefits of OPCs like grape seed extract, red wine extract, pine bark extract, bilberry extract and citrus bioflavonoids for a strong antioxidant defense a healthy immune system.

Don’t forget their multivitamins. PetHealth™ Multivitamin Formula for Dogs and PetHealth™ Multivitamin for Cats provide a micronutrient foundation for your pets. PetHealth Multivitamin Formula for Dogs and PetHealth Multivitamin Formula for Cats helps promote healthy bones and teeth, digestive health and a healthy skin and coat.