Winterizing Your Pet

Depending on where you live, winter might be just around the corner. This is a good time to think about getting your pet and their environment ready. Here are some things to keep in mind as the temperatures begin to drop:

• If your pet primarily lives outdoors, ensure they have adequate shelter. If a doghouse is provided, it should have a door that can be closed to keep wind and precipitation out. It should be raised off the ground. The house should be insulated with straw, shavings or blankets.
• Outdoor pets require about 25 percent more nutrition during the winter months. Inside pets are not as active as they are during warmer weather so their food should be decreased 10 to 15 percent.
• Short-haired dogs, especially small dogs, should wear outerwear when they are outside.
• Pet booties are useful for protecting the pads of the feet from snow.
• When bringing your pet inside or back from a walk, remove salt, ice and snow from feet as soon as possible. Salt is very irritating to the tissues. Vaseline on the bottoms of the feet will help keep salt and snow from sticking to the pads and make wiping them much more effective and simple.
• Brush out long-haired dogs and cats to keep them from matting. Matted hair can be uncomfortable and does not provide adequate insulation. Young, old or weak animals should not be outdoors for extended periods.

Pet Jerky. Delicious and nutritious Oxyfresh Pet Jerky is made with 100 percent real beef. It contains glucosamine, sea cucumber and MSM to offer superior support for healthy joints and to help stimulate cartilage growth. Plus, Pet Jerky is loaded with 22 percent protein per serving — far more than store brands.

Calm Your Pet with “Mellow Out” Pet Relaxant. Holidays can be stressful for pets, too. “Mellow Out” is a gentle formula composed of all-natural ingredients such as St. John’s Wort, Valerian, Melatonin, and Chamomile to help your pet deal with stressful situations like travel, injury, loud storms, or visits to the veterinarian. Gentle, safe formula, all-natural ingredients.

Pet Antioxidant. Pets who spend time outside during the winter months are more active. Keep them healthy and happy with easy-to-feed Pet Antioxidant wafers. The powerful formula provides your pet with revitalized energy and protection from the harmful effects of free radicals. Also supports recovery from injury, illness or surgery.

Pet Gel. This odorless, tasteless gel with Oxygene® is ideal for sore feet, minor scrapes, wounds and insect bites. Pet Gel contains Aloe to soothe, cleanse, and deodorize your pet’s gums.