Winter In South Slope: Keeping Your Pets Happy And Healthy

With temperatures falling around the city, everyone is digging out the puffy jackets, hats and gloves. It’s also important, though, to remember that our pets get cold, too. We recently sat down with South Slope neighbor Heather Smith, part of the Brownstone Dog Walkers team, to talk about things pet owners can do to keep their furry friends happy and healthy throughout the cold New York winter.

SSN: First of all, tell us a bit about yourself.
HS: I’m 28 and moved to NYC 5 years ago to pursue a career in musical theatre (where else would you go?) after graduating college in Toronto, Canada. I love to travel, hike, drink coffee, eat brunch with friends, hang out with my cat, Dora, and play my ukulele . I started working at Brownstone Dog Walkers about a year and a half ago because I LOVE dogs, but can’t afford to adopt one of my own at the time. Dog walking gets me all the puppy love and licks I can take!

How long have you lived in South Slope?
I moved to South Slope 4 years ago and haven’t looked back! I actually just moved into a new apartment this fall, and I refused to look in any other neighborhoods because I KNEW I didn’t want to leave South Slope. There’s something about South Slope (and Park Slope) that reminds me of the small town I grew up in in Connecticut, but there’s definitely still that Brooklyn edge to it. I love how connected the community is, I’m constantly bumping into people I know on the street, and all the local businesses seem to really support each other. I love living in a big city, but sometimes it’s hard to feel at home. I’ve always felt at home in the Slope.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened when you were out walking dogs in the neighborhood?
Sometimes I honestly think the dogs are trying to embarrass me. A common difficulty is when they start playing together and you get tangled up in leashes. I got so stuck once I almost fell over, while people were just walking by laughing, pointing and saying “awww” at the dogs. Another time, one dog started humping the other (his rescue brother, oddly enough) and wouldn’t let go while we were crossing 7th Ave. That one was pretty funny.

How can pet owners keep their pets comfortable when it’s cold outside?
Just like with humans, the very young and old pets are especially vulnerable in the cold weather. Always check with your vet to make sure your pet doesn’t have any conditions that may make affect their ability to regulate their body heat. As always, make sure your pets get lots of food, water (make sure it doesn’t freeze), and love so they stay happy and healthy. I know there are a lot of outdoor cats in South Slope, and people should be aware that cats will look for heat anywhere they can to stay warm and often wriggle their way underneath car hoods. So if you’re a driver, give the hood of your car a good tap before getting in and starting the engine, or honk the horn so you wake any sleepy kitties who might be hiding out in there. If there’s a lot of snow on the ground and you have a pooch with long fur, you may want to trim the fur on their paws to avoid snow clumps on their toes. Just be careful not to trim too short, or in between their toes and pads of their feet, because their fur is needed for warmth and insulation. In general, your dog will let you know when they are too cold, by shivering, whimpering, or simply refusing to walk outside when it is too cold for them.

Do sweaters and coats for dogs help?
It depends on the dog. A husky certainly doesn’t need a coat. Smaller breeds, and dogs with short or thin fur should certainly be considered for some outerwear. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your dog’s belly is covered, as some coats only cover their back and sides, and you want to make sure their vital organs stay nice and warm. Also remember there are gender specific clothing options for dogs! You’ll thank me when your little boy doesn’t wee wee all over the inside of his new sweater.

What can pet owners do to protect paws from the salt and chemical melts that people will put on the ground for snow and ice?
Luckily, there’s been a bit more hype on this subject over the past few years, and there are a lot more pet safe options for salt and ice melters. However, it’s still important to wipe your dog’s paws after walks in the winter, to insure that they don’t lick any salt or chemicals off themselves. You can also get pet wipes that are similar to baby wipes to make cleanup even easier. There are also many varieties of doggy booties out there, so you can always see if your dog will put up with wearing them! I’ve heard good things about Pawz. They are like little balloons that slip right over your dogs paws, and they are water proof!

Everyone talks about putting together emergency kits for severe weather events like blizzards. What are some things that should be included for pets?
Blankets, pillows, toys, and treats. Anything to help keep your pets happy and comfortable. Play a little fetch with your pooch indoors (if you have the space) so they can still get some exercise without having to head outside. Your dog’s nose is its best tool, and a fun game to help keep pups busy and happy is to hide pieces of kibble around a play area (inside toys, under boxes, etc) and encouraging them to find them. If your pets need some extra help staying warm, a hot water bottle for them to snuggle with can help, but make sure it’s well wrapped in a blanket or towel so it’s not TOO hot. And of course, lots of cuddles is always one of the best ways to help keep you and your pets warm. You can also find pet first aid kits at pet stores, which are always a good idea to have on hand in case of an emergency (our walkers always carry one with them).

For more information on Brownstone Dog Walkers, which serves Park Slope, South Slope, Gowanus, Greenwood Heights and more, visit their website, call 347-685-9255, or email brownstonedogwalkers@gmail.com.

Photo via Heather Smith