Winter Health Hints
We have our winter season filled with holiday activities and we need to remember a few things for our pets' health.

Diet Just because we may overeat during these times don't let our pets get out of control! Colder weather will increase the appetite of many cats and dogs and as long as their activity level matches their food intake there will not be problems with excess weight gain. Since they cannot open cans and fill their own bowls, we can really control their food intake. Most problems for pets during the holiday season involves handouts from us or access to the feast on the table or in the garbage can. Working as a team, a crafty cat and an Irish Setter were able to open the refrigerator and pull the uncooked turkey onto the floor where they devoured the white meat and left the remains for the owner. That holiday dinner was vegetarian for those owners and the dog was hospitalized for severe digestive upset.
Decorations Kittens and cats are fascinated with tinsel, ribbon and bows. Ingestion of these objects can result in the pet spending the holiday in the hospital recovering from abdominal surgery to remove the chewed objects. Keep all ribbons and bows out of their reach and use other types of decorations on trees. Dogs have been known to eat glass ornaments and chew electrical cords lighting the tree.
Gifts Don't forget the pet during the giving season!! How about a large foam egg-crate bed for the elderly dog whose arthritis will be more evident in colder weather. Catnip toys and stuffed mice will amuse the coach potato cat and maybe get her to do more than follow the winter sun around the living room. GIVING PETS AS GIFTS TO PEOPLE are not a great idea and it is recommended that a family pet be obtained when household activities are minimal to allow plenty of time to help the pet adjust to the new home.
Illness Some medical problems can be more prevalent during the winter months. Upper respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies might be aggravated by heaters and fireplaces. Arthritis pain is increased in cold damp weather. Male cats need to be watched for urinary obstruction problems if wet weather keeps them from going outdoors....be sure they have access to a letterbox during these months even if you do not normally have a letterbox in the house. Protect your pets from floor furnace grates that can get hot enough to burn paws.
Travel If you go outside the Bay Area with your pet during the winter season be aware of the conditions to where you travel. Dogs need time to adjust to altitude and colder weather like we find in the Sierras. Watch for ice collecting between pads of the feet and causing lameness. Air travel during holiday times can be bad enough for people and can be very toublesome for pets when flights get cancelled. Always try to get straight-through flights for shipping pets. Some restrictions can apply with air flights that go to areas where the outside temperature drops below freezing. They may not allow shipment of pets into these areas. One would not want the family chihuahua sitting out on the loading dock of Chicago O'Hare airport in December. Consider boarding your pet or employing a pet sitter.

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