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Dec 30, 2020 12:09:04 PM By Barry Miller General Information,

As a Veterinarian, I see pets on a daily basis, and I have found that you begin to notice all of the qualities that make each pet unique. Whether it is the color of their eyes, interesting coat markings and colors or just the pet’s confirmation.  Even so, it is often a welcome change to see pets come into the clinic dressed for the occasion in coats, hats, sweaters, bowties, or shirts.

 

Nothing makes a dreary day brighter than seeing a dapper Frenchie in a plaid jacket or a waddling Dachshund in a Fair Isle sweater.

 

Are these outfits an accessory or a necessity in colder weather?

 

EVERY ANIMAL IS UNIQUE

Just like humans, pets have a variable tolerance for the elements depending on age, climate, body composition and more. Every dog needs to be considered individually when determining if additional layers are necessary.  

 

Before you dress your pet in cold weather attire, consider these pet characteristics that can make your canine more susceptible to feeling cold:

 

  • Hair: Dogs with short hair and/or thin coats, or thicker hair that’s kept cropped (such as poodles) are more likely to feel the cold.
  • Body type: Tiny Chihuahuas and lanky Greyhounds will feel the wind chill thanks to their small statures and thin builds, respectively.
  • Age: Older dogs may have weaker immune systems.
  • Medical conditions: Pets with Cushing’s disease, diabetes, heart, or kidney disease may have trouble regulating body temperature.

Then consider your dog’s Activity Level:

 

Experts say Spot’s quick bathroom break and short walks around the block probably do not warrant additional clothing, as movement will help keep him warm. However, make sure you are paying attention to where your pet is putting his paws. Snow and icy water splashing onto a dog’s coat can make him cold quickly.

 

Dogs that are outside but not consistently active should also wear an extra layer to conserve body heat. Remember: no pet, no matter how hearty, should be outside in sub-zero temps for an extended length of time, period.

 

WHAT TO WEAR

If your furry friend needs more warmth, follow these general guidelines on selecting the right type of outerwear for your pet:

 

  • Material: A blend of washable wool and cotton or acrylic is insulating and easy to clean. Outdoor experts often recommend a poly-blend and a water-resistant or waterproof jacket if you live in a snowy or wet area. Fleece linings are warm and cozy, too. Be sure to keep coats dry as wet fabric can make pets colder!
  • Fit: Measure neck, chest, and neck to waist length to get a fit that is snug but not tight, not easy for the dog to pull off and does not drag on the ground. Knowing your pet’s true weight can help you pick out the right size.
  • Additional parts: Beware of zippers, hooks, tags, or buttons that can be chewed off or swallowed.

What about boots?

 

We have all enjoyed YouTube videos of unsuspecting canines trying to navigate the living room floor with dog booties strapped to their paws. Entertainment value aside, are they necessary? Opinions differ, but some dogs may benefit from the extra protection if they will wear them. Aside from sled dogs running long distances,  experts say booties should be used if dogs will be walking on salt (which can be toxic) or have hairy paws that collect snowballs.

 

If your dog will not wear booties or you cannot find the right fit, paws should be soaked in warm water and dried upon coming inside. Trimming fur between the toes can help keep ice and snow from building up, too.

 

FELINE FASHION IS A NO-NO

No matter how tempting it may be to clothe a kitten,  cats generally should not wear sweaters or jackets. It can put a cat at risk of overheating, injury and general stress, and the cat may put up quite a fuss! Your veterinarian may recommend a sweater for hairless breeds or a covering like a T-shirt for cats that have been shaved for surgery, but those are exceptions. Keeping cats indoors and the temperature reasonable when not at home is enough to ensure their comfort and warmth.

 

Supervise and Monitor:

 

Monitoring your pets in winter weather is the most important thing you can do, no matter how much winter gear they have acquired. Supervising pets while outdoors and being on alert for any signs of injuries and illness are vital.

 

Sweaters, coats, and jackets are essential to humans when the weather turns colder and can be beneficial to our pets as well — with extra cuteness as a bonus. Making informed decisions about outerwear is the best way to keep pets warm, cozy, and safe all season long.

 

To Your Pet’s Good Health,

 

Barry Miller DVM

 

 

Sources

 

https:/www./covetrus.com

 

https://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_dg_sweaters_for_dogs

 

http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/does-your-dog-need-a-winter-coat-or-boots

 

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cold-weather-pet-safety.aspx

 

https://www.orvis.com/how-to-choose-a-dog-jacket

 

https://www.petmd.com/cat/seasonal/sweaters-cats-do-they-need-them

 

 

Dec 29, 2020 10:10:02 AM By Barry Miller keeping pets warm, General Information,
Nov 3, 2020 11:37:55 AM By Barry Miller Arthritis & Joint Health,

Oct 8, 2020 11:13:37 AM By Barry Miller hemp, General Information,

Many years ago, my wife and I had a robust pug named Benny.  He was short legged, round and had the sweetest personality. Rather like an adorable sweet potato.  I would counsel my wife to watch Benny’s weight. She would always reply, “He’s not fat, he is just big boned”. Unfortunately, Benny developed type 2 diabetes and eventually required insulin. It was a hard lesson to learn.

In observance of NATIONAL PET OBESITY AWARENESS DAY, October 14, 2020, I wanted to dedicate this blog to further our understanding of the impact that even a pound or two of weight gain can make on our pets’ health and wellness.

How much weight gain is too much? You would be surprised!

 It does not take much weight gain to put a pet at risk for developing the serious medical conditions listed below:

    Dogs: As little as five pounds above ideal weight

    Cats:  As little as two pounds above ideal weight

 

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) estimates  60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. That is roughly 57.7 million dogs and 81.2 million cats.

 

Why it matters:

 

With this increase in weight comes increased health risks:

  • Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Kidney disease
  • Various cancers, particularly intra-abdominal cancers
  • Heart and respiratory diseases
  • Cranial cruciate ligament injury
  • Bacterial skin infections
  • Fungal ear infections
  • Decreased life expectancy

 

Would you notice weight gain in your pet?

 

Another interesting fact from this survey suggested a high percentage of owners incorrectly recognized their overweight pet as being of normal weight.

 

 

Is my Pet overweight?

 

Annual checkups will also provide valuable information to know whether your pet needs to lose a few pounds. Follow these simple steps to determine if your pet is overweight.

 

  • Pet is at a healthy weight when:
    • Ribs are easily felt
    • Stomach does not sag
    • Waist is easily noted when viewed from above
  • Pet is overweight when:
    • Ribs are difficult to feel under the fat
    • Stomach sags
    • Back is broad and flat
    • Waist is barely visible or is absent

Since we often do not notice when our pet is slowly packing on too many pounds it is important to notice changes in everyday behaviors that can help identify the following signs of weight gain:

 

  • Decreased interaction with family members
  • Lack of energy
  • Less playfulness
  • Increased sleep time
  • Appear to be lazy

 

 

Key Factors in Weight gain:

 

1.The number of calories and exercise that your pet gets each day.

Nutrition guides listed on packaging are often formulated for active adult, unaltered animals (not spayed or neutered). If your pet is more couch potato than backyard athlete your pet is more likely to be overfed by as much as 20 % by following the package instructions. Discuss your pet’s calorie needs with your Veterinarian during annual visits. Your Veterinarian will be able to discuss with you these goals:

  • Nutritional and balanced meal products that are designed to support safe weight loss.
  • Methods for increased physical activity that take into consideration the health and well-being of the pet.

 

 

It should also be mentioned here that only 10% or less of your pet’s daily calories should come from treats.

 

 

2. Pet Owners often assume that their pet’s weight gain is due to a lack of exercise, age, or eating too many treats. These factors do play a role, but it is also possible that the weight gain is the result of a medical condition. For this reason, you never put your pet on a diet without checking with your veterinarian first.

 

Along with cutting back calories and increasing your pet’s exercise routine, check with your Veterinarian to make sure to rule out these Medical conditions:

 

  • Hypothyroidism
    • Since low thyroid hormone production is a quite common disease that can contribute to weight gain, clients can be made aware to watch for symptoms that include:
  • Cushing’s Disease
    • Increased appetite and Cushing’s disease seem to go hand-in-hand. Other symptoms that clients can watch for include:

Other causes that can be attributed to weight gain include:

 

  • Stress
  • Arthritis
  • Respiratory conditions
  • Heart disease
  • Ascites
  • Certain medications, including:
    • Phenobarbital
    • Prednisone
    • Prozac

 

As the Holidays approach and the weather turns colder resulting in less playtime outside, let’s double our efforts to make sure that our pet’s stay healthy and happy.

 

To your pet’s good health,

 

Dr. Barry

 

 

Sources:

 

http://bewell.stanford.edu/avoiding-holiday-weight-gain/

 

https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2015/11/25/does-the-holiday-season-equal-weight-gain

 

https://petobesityprevention.org/

 

https://petobesityprevention.org/pet-weight-check

 

http://www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit

 

https://petobesityprevention.org/pet-weight-check

https://petobesityprevention.org/

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) :  Client-oriented information offered on how to assess the body weight of a dog or cat, as well as caloric needs and weight loss tools.

Oct 6, 2020 12:00:17 PM By Barry Miller weight obesity, General Information,

Sep 29, 2020 6:14:47 PM By Barry Miller penny puppy, General Information,
Aug 26, 2020 8:32:01 AM By Barry Miller safet deet, General Information,

As a pet owner, you need to make sure to have basic first aid supplies for your pets in your household. Carefully putting together a well-provisioned first aid kit will make you more ready to deal with a medical emergency if one confronts you for your dog, cat or other pet. Have this kit in the house and fully stocked with supplies at all times, next to the first aid kit for your family. Many of the items in a family first aid kit can be used for pets, too.

Here is a link to a great First Aid Supply List for your pet's

https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/pet-first-aid-supplies-checklist

To your pet's safety and health,

Dr. Barry

Source:  https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/pet-first-aid-supplies-checklist

Aug 12, 2020 11:38:38 AM By Barry Miller first aid supplies, General Information,
Jul 29, 2020 11:39:17 AM By Barry Miller string safety, General Information,
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