Keep Your Animals Safe This Season!- Antifreeze products and rodenticides can be lethal to animals, even in small quantities. Salts that melt the ice can also cause health issues. Keep all of these products well out of reach of your pets. If there is ANY chance your animal has gotten into these products, contact a veterinarian immediately.
- Although the cooler weather is here, it is very important to continue heartworm preventative for your dog thru the month of December. Most heartworm preventatives work one month backwards and in Michigan weather conditions may support mosquitoes well into November.
- Fall can also be wild mushroom season. Although the majority of wild mushrooms are safe there is a small percentage that can be lethal to pets. The toxic mushrooms are hard to differentiate from the non-toxic mushrooms based on appearance. Be sure to keep a close eye on your pet when enjoying outdoor activities in areas where wild mushrooms may be present.
- Keep your pets indoors as much as possible in cold weather. Dogs housed outdoors need to have fresh water available at all times, insulated houses and may need to be fed more to keep up with increasing energy needs. Bring indoors when temperatures fall below 10° or in extreme wind chills.
- In colder weather outdoor cats need to have shelter accessible at all times. Cats will tend to seek out warmth in the engines of vehicles - be sure to check prior to starting your car. Fresh water needs to be available at all times and may need to be fed more to keep up with increasing temperatures. Bring indoors when temperatures fall below 10° or in extreme wind chills.
- Livestock also have special needs in the cold temperature as well. Be sure all animals have access to shelter from the wind and cold. Most animals will need to have feed increased to keep up with the increasing energy needs during the winter, especially older and younger animals. Ensure the hay and feed are good quality and introduce all feed changes slowly. Contact your veterinarian on the proper feeding guidelines for your species.
