As summer has faded and winter is rapidly approaching, it’s time to ensure our pets are ready for the colder temps. Outside pets have obvious needs to combat the cold and wet weather, but our inside pets also have changing needs. Make sure your outside pets have a clean, warm dry place to be out of the elements. Dog houses with warm bedding and heaters (safe heaters) are a great choice; protected kennels and access to the garage or other protected area is sufficient except for the coldest of days. On the chilliest of days (or windchill below 0 F), pets should be brought inside. Confining to garage or laundry rooms on those days will prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Make sure cats and dogs have access to fresh water at all times. You can keep water from freezing with heat tape or heated bowls.

Vaccinations are another important aspect of preventative health care. We see viral diseases year round. Even on the coldest, snowiest winter days we have parvovirus-infected dogs come to our clinics. Viruses don’t take a winter break. Up-to-date vaccinations help keep your pets healthy and happy. We must remember parvovirus, leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, leptospirosis, kennel cough, distemper and maybe most importantly, rabies, are prevalent in the Inland Northwest. There have been several cases of rabies reported by local county health departments in the last few years. Diligent vaccination of our pets help keep this fatal disease in check.

Rabies is truly a world wide health issue. The Washington State University Paul Allen School for Global Animal Health has embarked on a program to eliminate rabies infections in people. Many of our local clinics are participating in the program with support from rabies vaccinations in our pets. This is a remarkable effort to eliminate human rabies-caused deaths around the world. Additional information can be obtained by accessing their website or links from veterinary clinic websites. Keeping our pets safe and up-to-date on vaccines helps keep rabies in check. Common sources of rabies in the Inland Northwest are bats, skunks and raccoons.

Diet is an important part of keeping pets healthy in winter, as well. Outdoor pets with lots of activity need more calories in the winter months. Good quality pet foods in appropriate amounts are essential to maintain a healthy weight. Regulating temperature uses up a lot of calories.

On the flip side, the more common problem for indoor canines in winter is weight gain. Like the rest of us, cloudy, cold dark winter days are a great reason to participate in the most common winter sport: inactivity. When it is dark and icy, we don’t get out and about as much. Fewer walks and trips to the park means less need for calories. Many of our patients gain what we affectionately call “winter weight.” Obesity has become one of the most common health issues in our furry friends. Orthopedic problems, diabetes, and heart disease are all consequences of obesity.

Remember, keep your pets warm, safe, vaccinated and an appropriate weight to help ensure a long healthy life and fewer visits to the vet—although we always welcome seeing you!

Dr. Steve Boharski co-owns the Garland Animal Clinic with his wife, Dr. April Weber-Boharski.