Brrr! Keep Your Pet Pals Warm This Winter

Feb. 11, 2009 — -- Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow a little more than a week ago, so now there's five more weeks of winter to contend with for you and your pets.

Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker of Twin Falls, Idaho, has some indoor and outdoor tips and pet products to keep your dogs and cats safe and warm for the rest of the winter.

Pet Beds and Heating

It's OK to turn down the thermostat to save on heating costs but you can make things more comfortable for your pets with beds and heating pads. There are many choices for both beds and heat pads. Two of them are:

Heated Pet Bed from Petmate: www.petmate.com

Snuggle Safe Microwaveable Heat Pad: from amazon.com

Pet Clothing

Pet clothing isn't silly at all. Small dogs, older dogs and greyhounds and their relations like whippets benefit from pet apparel. Check pet retailers for a wide selection. Boots can protect pet paws from de-icing chemicals and make post-walk, cleanup easier.

Eco-Friendly Dog Sweater by West Paw Design: www.westpawdesign.com

Heated Dog Coat by Fashion Pet: www.jbpet.com

Winter Paw Care

Becker recommends either putting doggie boots on pets or putting a thin film of Vaseline on paws to protect them from ice and salt. You should also keep the hair trimmed between the toes to prevent ice balls from building up. Lastly, if you don't have boots on your dogs, keep a shallow dish of water and a towel just inside the door so that when they come in from their walk you can just dip their paws in the water and towel dry.

Boots: www.vo-toys.com

SafePaw De-Icer: www.safepaw.com