The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Dec 2018/Jan 2019

PAGE 14 THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION DEC 2018/JAN 2019 20 Years Emergency Veterinary Medicine Behind Us. ANIMAL PAWS BONDED & INSURED Nominated by National Animal Pet Sitting Association for 2015 for one of the Best Pet Sitting Services in the Nation. PETS ENJOY BEING HOME! Pet Sitting, LLC 19 Years of Loving Professional Pet Sitting Experience email: michelepatanio@gmail.com animalpawsllc.net Cell 908-963-0311 Vacations, daily dog walking, overnight stays, client education on animal care. We do transportation, give insulin injections, SQ fluids, dog hikes. Visit our Connection On-Line ad to view our video The CONNECTIONS Please call for FREE consultation. Last minute bookings for existing clients. (no late fee) Mark your calendar for A HOLE Lot of FUN Mini Golf Event & Fundraiser Bernardsville Public Library 1 Anderson Hill Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924 • Teen Night - Friday- February 8, 2019 - 7pm-9pm- $5/ticket • Family Day - Saturday- February 9, 2019 - 10am-4pm- $5/ticket • Adult Night - Saturday- February 9, 2019 - 7pm-9pm- $35/ticket* *for rounds of golf, food from local restaurants, and wine & beer tasting When temperatures drop and snow starts to coat the ground outside, it’s important to adjust your pet’s daily routine so you can keep him happy, safe, and comfortable. 1. Take Care of Your Dog’s Paws A dog’s legs, tail, and ears are most suscep- tible to frostbite. While there’s not much you can do for the tail and ears – besides keeping your walks short or walking during daylight hours – booties will provide some welcome warmth to your dog’s paws. Booties can also protect your dog from harmful chemicals like deicers. While some ice melts are clearly marked as safe for pets, many others are not. If your dog licks his paws after walking on deicer, he may be at risk of getting sick. For dogs who refuse to wear booties, I would try using baby socks which fit snug or you can use a towel to wipe their paws after a walk. If you notice your dog stepped in salt, rinse the area as soon as possible. 2. Adjust Daily Calories for Changes in Activity A dog’s diet is precisely calibrated to give him all the vitamins, minerals, and calories he needs to thrive. But when a dog’s activ- ity level changes drastically, as it can in the winter, adjustments need to be made to ensure adequate nutrition. “My dog loves the snow. She’ll go out five or six times a day when it snows to play. On those days, she may need more calories because of the increase in exercise,” she says. “Other dogs don’t like to go out at all–even for potty breaks. Because they’re less active, they should consume fewer calories.” If you’re unsure what’s best for your dog and his activity level, consult with your vet to come up with a plan. 3. Block Off Heat Sources Dogs, and especially cats, may seek out sources of heat in your house as nice places to cuddle up or take a quick nap. But be careful these spots present burn risks for pets, because they aren’t aware of how hot they can get. “Cats may try to curl up next to a radiator or jump up on a wood-burn- ing stove,” she says. “Owners should make these places inaccessible to their pets dur- ing winter months.” 4. No Off-Leash Time While your dog might love running around outdoors off leash, it can be especially risky when the temperatures drop. Be careful when you go near ponds of water. Make sure dogs are on leads as not to fall through ice if a body of water isn’t fully frozen. Addi- tionally, dogs are at an increased risk of being hit by vehicles, including snow plows. 5. Increase Intervals Between Baths Moisturizer is your best friend during the winter, but your pet doesn’t have the same luxury. Baths tend to dry out their skin the same way it does yours. While it’s not the most serious of problems, dry skin can cause an animal some discomfort. It is not good to cut out baths this time of year, not only for the obvious (smelly) reasons, but also because some animals have allergies and require regular baths. That said, you may want to cut back on the frequency of baths, and speak with your vet to find a shampoo that’s more moisturizing than the average one. 6. Keep a Blizzard Checklist Handy If you live in a part of the country that’s prone to the occasional blizzard, it’s critical to have a checklist handy. This will help ensure you have everything your pet may need, in case you’re stranded for a few days. Blankets for warmth, battery-operat- ed flashlights in case you lose power, clean water, plenty of food, medications, and something to stay entertained. You may want to keep all these things in one place. If you’re thinking about leaving before the snow, make sure you have all these things together, in case you need them. Enjoy the rest of your winter stay warm! And remember your veterinarian is your best bet. ANIMAL PAWS PET SITTING TIPS FOR WINTER By: Michele Patanio, Animal Paws Pet Sitting LLC 908-963-0311 animalpaws.net Winter will be coming soon. Let’s all keep our pets safe and Happy! Enjoy the holidays! With love to you and your 4 & 2 footed loved ones. www.theconnectionsnj.com