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| Our Great Pyrennees ------ Boomer |
Winter care of
your beloved puppy/dog depends considerably on the area of the country in which you live. Although there are subtle adjustments
one should make in temperate areas, it is in the drastic temperature changing areas where we need to pay the most
attention.
If you live anywhere in the north country, as we do, and see winter temperatures hover below
freezing for several months each year, there are several things that you must be aware of and make adjustments concerning
the well-being of the one who loves you and places his/her trust in your actions for their safety. Sometimes we,
being busily involved in our hectic lifestyle, neglect to exercise due diligence in regard to the outside temperature, especially
when we are nice and cosy inside our warm homes. The following is a list of facts that all of us who live where
our heater(s) run many hours per day MUST keep in the foremost of our minds when we allow our four legged friends to venture
outside.
All temperature statements will be referring to puppies and dogs of Westies size or any breed/dog
that falls in the under 40 pound category.
1. Although, the best material to use for a water/food dish is
stainless steel, NEVER EVER use this or any metal dish outside when the temperature is or may fall below freezing. Should
the dog's tongue lick on the extremely cold metal, it is quite likely to stick firmly to it. The puppy/dog will
then endeavor to pull his tongue off the frozen surface and in his attempt more likely than not will tear the skin/taste buds
off his tongue, lips or both. The best dish to use for outside water is plastic. We are not that impressed
with plastic dishes for general use because they're difficult to keep clean and can harbor bacteria. Some dogs may
have a reaction to the plastic that irritates the skin on the nose and or lips. This is generally evidenced by the nose/lip
skin changing color (ie. black to pink/pink spotted) and/or becoming sore. It is best to feed and water you pet inside
using stainless steel dishes.
2. There are only a few breeds that very low temperatures have little effect
on and even those, as the dog grows older, will need special consideration during colder times. While our 2 1/2 year
old Great Pyrenees (Boomer) with his 6+ inches of hair need little more than a place to sleep out of any direct wind even
when the temperature dips down to -5 degrees, as he grows older he will not be able to tolerate those temps. as well.
"Older" to a Pyrenees would commence around the age of 6-7 years. They have a short life span of 9-10 years
as a rule. Dogs and puppy such as Westies can only stand low temps for short periods of time. A dog
of this size/type can remain outside for approx:
a. 60 degrees = many hours
b.
50 degrees = several hours
c. 40 degrees = 30 minutes
d. 30 degrees = 15 minutes
e. 20 degrees = 10 minutes
f. 10 degrees = 5 minutes (max)
g. less than 10
degrees = 2-3 minutes
(all temperatures are listed in "Fahrenheit")
3. If the temp.outside
is 10 degrees and a small dog goes out from the warm house, his foot pad temp. leaving the house would be in the area
of 80 + degrees. Within 5 minutes on the frozen 10 degree ground outside, his pad temp. would have diminished
to around 30 degrees. Within 10 minutes to around 20 degrees and frost bite can be close at hand. This can
cause sore, chapped and even cracked, bleeding pads.
The best way to think about the cold temperatures
and your dog is: If you were out there with only a light jacket and sandals on your feet, HOW LONG WOULD YOU STAY OUT????
We all truly love our pets without a doubt but when it is severely cold we need to put their time outside
above everything else we are doing. Get them back in the warmth of our home and then continue what ever it was
we were doing prior to putting him/her outside.
A note concerning slippery/icy conditions. Many of us humans
are understandably concerned when our walking surfaces become icy so, we reach for one of several materials to correct
the situation. These materials are such things as: Salt, chemical de-icers (of any kind) and regular fertilizers
that you would use on you lawn and garden. All of these will melt the ice and help to keep you and yours from falling
but they can and most likely will cause irritation to your dog's feet. This irritation may show itself as a mild
soreness all the way up to badly cracked and bleeding pads which may involve a trip to your Vet. and also, your
pet will attempt to lick this material off which means he will be ingesting whatever chemicals are causing the problem.
If you will be walking you puppy/dog along public walkways or such, it advisable to purchase doggie boots to protect his feet
from "who-knows-what" de-icer down there on the concrete or, at least, make your outing short and thoroughly wash and
dry his/her feet as soon as you return home. The only material we use and recommend very highly
is the cheapest "kitty litter" you can find. It is nothing more than ground clay which, when scattered on
the icy surface provides great traction, will cause no irritation to your puppy's feet and even if it is tracked into
your home will vacuum up without any damage to your vacuum or floors because it is relatively soft. Whatever you
do, do not purchase any litter that is made to "clump". This type will "clump" and may cause
you more tripping and falling problems then the ice. THINK "CHEEP". In this case it's the best way
to go.
When the seasons changes to summer, remember, dog/puppies can contract heat stroke just as easily as we
can and in some cases easier. Be sure they have plenty of shade (from a tree is best because trees and shrubs don't
hold heat as do buildings and such), plenty of COOL water (they should never run out of water) and damp ground in that shade
really helps them.
Just a reminder: "Shaving-down" a dog does not really help that much to keep
him cool. Dogs only cool their bodies through their tongues and through the pads of their feet. Some hair can
be removed but a "shave down" may even lead to a bad case of sun-burn which can lead to skin cancer! A reasonable
amount of hair acts as insulation from the heat as it dose from the cold.
Another condition we need to mention
concerns lawn fertilizers and pesticides. Although, applying a good dose of fertilizer may make your
lawn the envy of the neighborhood, you need to remember to allow at least three (3) weeks of well watered-in time after that
application before you allow your animals and/or children to spend any amount of time
on it. It would be best to keep them off completely for those three weeks. The same goes for pesticides.
Both have are HIGHLY suspected of causing cancer of the liver and kidneys and who knows what else. Both materials need a
lot of watering-in and time to pass well beyond what is termed their "Half-life" point. "Half-life" is
a way of stating the toxicity of the product should have passed to half it's strength or less. Three weeks, for
most of these materials, with a considerable amount watering-in, is generally accepted to pass the material into
the half-life area. What ever you do to the ground on which your children or animals play or may even EAT, THINK
TOXINS.
We hope this information will assist you in aiding you pet in having a healthy, long and happy life
with you. Should you have any questions or comments, please drop us an email at: Laterradios@amerion.com or give a call at: (208) 266-1586, anytime.
Thank you for visiting our website,
Rodger & Joyce
Morales
La Terra Dios Ranch
"Home of Fine Westies"
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