Winterizing

Post date: Oct 13, 2016 5:42:06 PM

10 tips for keeping outside animals healthy

Don't forget your pets & livestock when the temperatures start dropping in the fall. Many of us get going on draining and putting hoses away, raking leaves and storing lawn mowers that our pets slip through the cracks. Pets need winterizing too.

Tip 1- Surround your dogs house with straw bales- this provides insulation if you keep your dog outside at night and if the weather turns nasty unexpectedly.

Tip 2- Consider purchasing a heated water dish / tank heater & remember to fill it up daily. Dehydration can happen anytime of year.

Tip 3- Remember dogs should be kept on Heartworm preventative all year long. Those week long warm spells can spell trouble for unprotected dogs. Can't afford to keep your dog(s) on preventative? You should deworm them every 3 months.

Tip 4- Deworm your horses for bots and tapeworms once we get a good freeze. If they haven't been vaccinated yet this year, now is as good a time as any.

Tip 5- Take your dog(s) out for a walk everyday. Being sedentary is bad. Also, consider going to a lower calorie food during the winter months.

Tip 6- Open those mini-blinds during the day! Dogs and cats may make their own vitamin D but getting sun is still good for them.

Tip 7- Cats need exercise too. Whether they like to chase a cat-nip mouse or a laser pointer getting them moving is always a good thing. You can also hide their meals around the house or get a toy where they have to work for their food.

Tip 8- Time to dig out that sweater for the little dogs and the blankets for the horses.

Tip 9- Call us to schedule your cattle pregnancy checks.

Tip 10- Remember to have your pets / horses examined every year. Animals excel at hiding illness. Exams are required before we vaccinate or prescribe medications.