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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2021)
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Paw Prints Jodi Schneider Columnist Cold weather safety for your pets This winter in Sisters Country the temperatures have been above normal, but we may finally be headed into colder weather. It9s your job as a pet parent to keep your furry friend warm and safe. After all, Rover can9t quite put on a coat and scarf for his morn- ing walk or tell you when he wants to go indoors on a blustery day. Frigid weather can be hard on pets, just like peo- ple. It is important to pre- pare your furry friend for the cold weeks ahead. It9s a misconception that dogs are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur. Some dogs are more susceptible to the cold than others. Short-coated, thin, elderly, or very young dogs get cold more quickly 4 so adjust the amount of time they stay outside. If your dog enjoys being outdoors and you will be outside longer than a few minutes, con- sider putting on a sweater or coat to keep him warm. Hypothermia and frostbite pose major risks to dogs in winter, so remember, if it9s too cold for you, it9s prob- ably too cold for your furry friend! So, how cold is too cold? Dogs should be okay until the temperature drops to below 45 degrees. At that point they may start to <feel= cold depending on their breed. At 32 degrees small dogs, elderly dogs and others with health con- ditions should stay indoors. Just as you bundle up for cold weather, your pooch will benefit from a winter wardrobe. If your pooch is whin- ing, shivering, seems anx- ious, slows down or stops moving, get him back inside very quickly because he is showing signs of hypother- mia. If you suspect frostbite, seek veterinary attention. During winter walks, your dog9s paws can pick up all kinds of toxic chemi- cals 4 salt, antifreeze, or de-icers. Be sure to wipe off your dog9s paws when you return from walks to prevent him from licking it off and becoming sick. Remember to check for signs of injury, such as cracked or bleeding paw pads. Purchase pet-safe de-icers for your home to keep your furry friend safe. Many pets become lost in the winter due to snow and ice, which can mask smells and make it difficult for animals to sniff their way home. Make sure that your pooch has ID tags and a microchip with your up- to-date information. Due to Daylight Savings, some people must walk their dogs in the dark after work. Keep yourself and your dog safe by wearing reflective gear (clothing, leash, and collar) and keep your dog close when walking on the street. Just as dogs can suffer heatstroke in hot cars, cold cars can also be deadly. A car can act as a refrig- erator in winter, holding in the cold which can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and death. The use of rat and mouse poisons increase this time of year, as rodents seek shelter from the cooler tempera- tures by attempting to move indoors. Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets and if ingested could be fatal. If you must use these prod- ucts, please do so with extreme caution and put Year-round FIREWOOD SALES DON’T LET SINK CHOICES DRAIN YOU! — Kindling — — — SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS We can help you fi nd the perfect fi t! 541-549-4349 260 N. Pine St., Sisters 541-410-4509 SistersForestProducts.com Licensed Bonded / Insured CCB#87587 Always Active, Always Engaged, CELEBRATING EVERY SINGLE DAY! 411 E. Carpenter Ln. • Th eLodgeInSisters.com 541-549-5634 PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER A little extra work makes winter much safer and more comfortable for your pet. them in places inaccessible to your pets. Cats often sleep in the wheel wells of cars during the winter months to keep warm. If you start your car and a cat is sleeping on your tire, it can be severely hurt or even killed by moving engine parts. Prevent inju- ries by banging loudly on your hood or honking the horn before starting your car. This will wake up the cat and give her a chance to escape before starting the vehicle. Winter can be a beauti- ful time of year. It can be dangerous as well 4 but it doesn9t have to be. If you take some precautions, you and your furry friend can have a fabulous time dashing through the snow together. F LL TODAY E IN OR CA OR YOUR E C N A R U S FREE I N ISON! COMPAR COM 541-588-6245 257 S. Pine St., #101 | farmersagent.com/jrybka AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BUSINESS 9