All Creatures Pet Grooming
48821 Yale Road E.
Chilliwack, BC V4Z 0B1
Telephone: 604.795.9932
Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Appointments: 604.795.9932
Safety Tips for Summer & Winter
Summer Heat:
This is probably the biggest concern around warmer weather. Most people do not understand that dogs cannot sweat to cool themselves and overheat easily. Vehicles are death traps to pets in the summer, but there are other notes of concern too.
Make sure that you are alert to hot pavement and sidewalks that could burn your precious pet's paws. Avoid exercise in the heat of the day and plan walks or activities for the early morning or evening instead. You should also consider bringing your pet into a cooler area during the heat of mid-day as relief from the heat if they are outdoors.
Make sure the pet has access to cool, fresh water and to shade. Any housing kennels should also be in the shade so that they remain cool. Child wading pools and access to cool basements are two other alternatives to provide for cooling off your pet.
Also be sensitive to short muzzled dogs and older or overweight pets since they can be more susceptible to heat related stress problems. Check with your veterinarian on how to do emergency procedures if you do encounter heat stroke in an animal.
Winter Cold:
Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:
Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Windchill makes days colder than actual temperature readings.
Be attentive to your dogs body temperature, and limit their time outdoors.
Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts.
Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.
Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.
Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated.
Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat.
Long-haired dogs should have their paw-hair clipped to ease snow removal and the cleaning of their feet.
Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.
Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
Dont leave your dog alone in a car. It gets too cold, and carbon monoxide from an engine left running is dangerous.
Dogs cannot talk to us when they are sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important to pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Remember the following health concerns:
Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal.
Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk.
Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.
Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long.
Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms. Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.
