Keeping Your Pets Healthy During the Winter Months in Fridley

Winter time is almost here in Fridley, and we know what that means for us humans: flu and cold season! But what about your beloved cat Fluffy and your cuddly dog Fido? Are there any cold-weather-related precautions you should take for their health and well-being? We here at Northern LightsVeterinary Services have a few tricks we’ve learned thanks to our experienced vets at our animal clinic.

Protect your pet’s paws from the snow and ice by keeping the fur around Fido’s paws trimmed so when he walks around outside in the snow, clumps of ice don’t form and pull at the delicate fur. Salt and deicers can also be harmful to your pet’s well-being. If you allow your cat to go outdoors, Fluffy will lick her paws if they are in pain or irritated. (And Fido will too!) So be sure to pick a deicer that is non-toxic to pets, like sand, gravel or non-clumping kitty litter. Or if you’re unsure, read the label on the product to see if it’s harmful to pets. Inspect Fluffy and Fido’s paws on a daily basis. Are there any cuts? If they are really deep or are not healing properly, bring your pets into the animal clinic at Northern Lights Veterinary Services and let us check them out. Sometimes, the only first aid that’s needed is a gentle cleansing with warm water and soap. But sometimes these wounds don’t heal quickly, in which case your pet will need expert attention from some of the best veterinarians in the Fridley area.

Of course, you will probably be checking on your car on a regular basis to make sure that there is a sufficient amount of antifreeze in it. But did you know that antifreeze is extremely poisonous, especially to curious dogs and cats? This can be a life-threatening condition, so it is extremely important that if you suspect Fluffy or Fido drank antifreeze, you bring them to the animal clinic at Northern Lights Veterinary Services so we can begin immediate treatment. If your pet stumbles around, starts to vomit or seems depressed, these are some of the first signs of antifreeze poisoning. If caught early enough, the damage to your pet’s kidneys can be limited.

Winter can be a fun time of year to play with your pets! Dogs are especially fun to take outdoors and play with in the snow in Fridley, plus it ensures Fido is getting plenty of exercise during the cold months. But consider keeping Fluffy indoors for the duration of the colder temperatures. This will ensure Fluffy stays warm and healthy during Old Man Winter’s visit.

If you have any questions or concerns or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at (763) 754-2381 or visit our website and fill out our online form to request more information.