Amber Alert for Storms & Snow!
So the New Year has begun with snow in parts of the UK, now Storm Goretti is on its way, with high winds & heavier snow causing Amber Alerts in many areas across the country.
Here’s a reminder of some precautions you can take to keep it safe & enjoyable for our pugs. Many of us will simply keep them indoors until the worst of it passes.
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– Beware of salt on roads & paths which can burn their paw pads.
Check once home, and rinse them if necessary.
– Ice and snow can stick to the fur between pads and build up. Not just uncomfortable for your pug, it increases their risk of frostbite.
If they raise their paws, stop walking or whine it could be a sign that their paws are too cold.
– Also, beware of thin ice & frozen puddles.
– Take care when using antifreeze. It tastes sweet so is tempting for dogs but can be lethal if ingested.
– Watch for dogs drinking out of puddles too as they may be tainted with antifreeze chemicals from spills or leaks.
– When cold, a dog’s body will limit blood flow to their extremities (paws, tail, ears etc.), in order to keep their vital organs functioning safely.
This can put their extremities at risk of being damaged by the cold.
– It’s a good idea to get a warm coat for them, essential when it’s very cold but still safe to go outdoors. See temperature chart below.
Ensure it fits well & is flexible so that it doesn’t prevent them moving normally, either by being too tight or too loose.
– If your dog starts shivering, or appears very tired (lethargic), then get them home as soon as possible.
If they continue to seem unwell, contact your vet immediately.
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Here are some Body-care tips:
– Additional to well-fitting warm outerwear, use paw protection if needed, this could be in the form of dog dry skin creams/ balms, or doggy booties.
– Inspect pug paws regularly to check for cracked pads, broken nails or snow/salt damage.
– Brush your pug’s coat regularly to distribute natural oils to the skin and prevent dry patches.
– If it’s windy, don’t forget to protect their eyes, by extra lubrication gels and especially if on a beach, where wind & sand can scratch them causing lasting damage without urgent treatment.
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Here’s a very good guide specific to temperatures, when considering conditions for your dog’s walks:
If ever your pug shows signs of hypothermia, which includes, shivering, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, pale gums and loss of consciousness or collapse, get your pet immediately out of the cold & contact your vet straight away.
Dry & warm them up gently, never intensely & too quickly as this can be dangerous.
For further information, please see:
Hypothermia in Pets – PDSA
&
Keeping pets safe in stormy weather – PDSA
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For other pug-health advice a number of key topics particularly useful for our special breed can be found at:
Pug Health & Wellbeing | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
