A PSA For All You Pet Owners

As many of you know I got a “puppy” for Christmas. I use quotation marks around the word puppy because at 4 months old Yukon – my English Mastiff - is 35 pounds and outweighs my three year old.

While he’s amazingly cute, house broken and super smart (sit, down and leave it all under control) he’s recently figured out how to jump up so his front paws are on my kitchen counter and he still likes to wake us up at 3am.

Despite all of that (oh and the chewing on everything!) our family is madly in love with him and he is making such a nice addition to our mayhem.

When the people over at Proctor and Gamble learned of our new addition their super sweet social media team sent over a “Welcome Puppy” package with all sorts of great Iams swag, helpful cleaning and Febreze supplies and coupons for Iams dog food – the giant bag kind (did I mention my puppy is 35 pounds and eats A LOT!).

While the puppy package was very much appreciated the #PGMom team also sent over some great cold weather tips for all pet parents that I thought I’d share here with you. Whether you’re a new puppy owner like me or a seasoned pet owner these are friendly helpful reminders for all of us.

Cold Weather Comfort:
Tips on Keeping Your Pets Healthy and Happy this Winter

As the New Year begins, January and the upcoming months signal cold weather for all Canadians. Characterized by subzero temperatures and cold winds, we bundle up with jackets, scarves and gloves to keep warm, but what about our furry friends?

January is one of Canada’s coldest months and, like humans, pets need winter weather protection, too! Our precious pets may be covered in fur, but dogs and cats require more attention when it comes to spending time outdoors in the winter months.

Iams have put together some tips on winter pet care to help ensure your pet has a fun, safe, and healthy winter.

• Check ups – Take your animals for a winter checkup before the cold kicks in. Your veterinarian can check to make sure they don’t have any medical problems that will make them more vulnerable to the cold.
• Winter fashion isn’t just for humans – Just like we get dressed up to stay warm in the winter, some pets do, too! Try dressing your pet in a winter sweater, jacket or booties to keep them warm on winter walks. The outfits may not be fitting for every pet’s playful personality, but they certainly help keep them warm!
• Take pet paw precautions – After taking your pet for a walk in the winter, be sure to wipe their paws and underside after being outside. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice on the roads and sidewalks can irritate and burn your pet’s sensitive paws. Soaking your pet’s paws in warm water before drying them off also helps remove chunks of snow and is soothing for their pads
• Cars in the winter are like freezers – Never leave your cat or dog unattended in the car during the cold weather months. Cars act like refrigerators and freezers in the winter and could cause your pet to suffer from severe hypothermia.
• Consider their coat in the cold – When the temperature drops below zero, pets should not be left outside for long periods of time, especially cats and short-coated dogs and puppies as they are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. If you have a cat or short-coated dog, only take them out for short walks and consider dressing them in sweaters to keep the heat in.
• Hydration – Keep an eye on your pet’s water bowl. It’s easy not to realize that a water bowl has frozen and your furry friend might be unable to drink. Animals that don’t have access to clean, unfrozen water are more likely to drink out of puddles or gutters, which can be polluted with oil, antifreeze, household cleaners, and other chemicals.
• Home heating – We know there is nothing better than lighting a fire to keep warm. If you plan to light a fire or plug in a space heater, remember that the heat will be as attractive to your pets as to you. As your dog or cat snuggles up to the warmth, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces. Pets are clumsy and also unable to undo a small mistake so remember that they can either burn themselves or knock a heat source over and put the entire household in danger.

I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities.
The opinions on this blog are my own.