December 17, 2018
PHOENIX – Dec. 17, 2018 – While winter is still several days away, cold temperatures have arrived and with that come dangerous conditions that can be hazardous to pets’ health. Veterinarians from PetSmart, the leading pet specialty retailer in North America, offer pet parents safety tips on how to keep pets safe, healthy and happy all winter long.
It’s Sweater Weather…Even for Pets
When the temperatures drop, humans break out their winter coats and scarves. The same should go for pets, especially those who are most vulnerable to the dangers of cold weather. “Short-haired breeds and elderly pets are more susceptible to cold weather so it’s important to dress them in pet-friendly coats and sweaters to keep their body temperatures regulated,” said Jennifer Freeman, DVM, PetSmart’s resident veterinarian and pet care expert. “Limit walks in extremely cold weather and consider putting booties on their paws to help protect them from the snow, ice and chemicals used to de-ice the roads.”
Booties like Top Paw® Reflective Booties are great options to keep pet paws safe and warm. They’re made from water resistant fabric and thermoplastic rubber on the bottom that provide protection as well as traction during slippery conditions.
Keep Them Warm All Day Long
During cold days and nights, gauge your pets’ comfort levels, even when they spend just a short amount of time outdoors. “Hypothermia is a real danger for pets in the wintertime and despite pets’ natural fur coats, it doesn’t take long for hypothermia to set in and cause serious problems,” said Freeman. “Keep an eye out for the initial signs of hypothermia, such as intense shivering, pale skin and lethargy.”
PetSmart offers a variety of heated beds and mats, as well as kitty shelters to help keep cats nice and warm.
Fish Get Chilly, Too
Furry family members aren’t the only ones susceptible to the cold weather. Tropical fish are prone to illness in cold temperatures. In addition to routine upkeep, fish aquariums need to be kept at the proper temperature to ensure fish stay healthy. “It’s important for pet parents to ensure the temperature in their tanks for tropical fish stays in the range of 74-82 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Nick Saint-Erne, DVM, PetSmart’s certified aquatic veterinarian. “This can be challenging during the cold winter months but can be remedied with a simple aquarium heater. This is an inexpensive and safe way to keep pet fish like bettas comfortably warm and healthy when the house is colder.”
Cold Weather Means Drier Skin
Because the cold weather can dry out dogs’ skin and coats, consider giving them a hydrating bath treatment. The CHI® for Dogs Package at the PetSmart Grooming Salon provides pups with a deep moisturizing shampoo and oatmeal conditioning treatment that can help alleviate dryness and bring back moisture and shine. Appointments can be booked online or by calling a local store.
Following these tips will help ensure pets stay safe, healthy and happy all winter long. Find more pet-friendly tips for the holidays at petsmart.com.
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About PetSmart®
PetSmart LLC is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. PetSmart employs approximately 55,000 associates and operates more than 1,600 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. The retailer provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption. PetSmart, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada work with more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 8 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary.
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PetSmart Contact:
Janette Artea
Golin for PetSmart
469-680-2582
PetSmart 24-Hour Media Line: 623-587-2177
