Winter precautions: take care of your dog in the cold weather

There's no doubt about it: cold weather is settling in.

There are extra considerations that need to be made for the colder season. In case you've missed this information on Dogs Trust's website, I'm reposting it to make sure you have plenty of time to prepare for worse weather.

• Dogs with thin skin, such as Greyhounds or Lurchers, and recently clipped dogs will feel the cold easier so will need that extra bit of warmth such as a coat.

• After walking your dog or if he has been out in the rain, make sure he is completely dried so that he does not catch a cold.

• Don’t forget snow can get caught in the hair between toes and cause frostbite in extreme circumstances so washing and drying their feet is important after trips in the snow.

• Older dogs may need particular attention, especially if they suffer from arthritis.

• Be aware of antifreeze poisoning:

Antifreeze, screen-wash and some de-icers may contain Ethylene glycol – a substance fatal to dogs and cats. Antifreeze is available as a liquid to be added to the water in your car engine radiators to prevent freezing. Even small quantities spilt can be life threatening.

It is sweet tasting and attractive to dogs and cats, but is fatal to them so do be sure to keep such items out of your pet’s reach and mop up any spillages straight away. Dispose of old cartons carefully, and ensure you keep your pet out of the garage-especially a new puppy that will investigate any new scent.

Signs such as staggering movements; tiredness; increased heart rate; continuous vomiting, or dehydration may suggest that your furry friend has ingested this poisonous substance. Unless your dog is taken to the vet’s promptly after ingestion and given intensive treatment, recovery may be poor!

If you have questions about an individual dog, or need further advice, contact your vet.

K9 Knitters take up needles to help dogs

The following information was sent to us from Carrie at K9 Knitters. Her cause is, clearly, very close to our hearts because she is a dedicated fundraiser for both Dogs Trust and other canine charities. Here's what she has to say:

"We are a nationwide knitting group who create hand made dog coats for sale, and 100% of the proceeds go to dog rescue charities. We support two charities every year - Dogs Trust is the 'constant' who we support every year, and we have a 'smaller' charity that we rotate every year. Customers decide which of the two charities their donation goes to - it works out at broadly 50/50 each year. We've raised over £7500 in total since we started in 2006.

"We regularly have a stall at events at the Sadberge Dogs Trust centre, and also send coats for fundraising events to any other of the centres who ask for them. However, most of our sales come from the website. Would any Dogs Trust supporters be interested in a buying a warm woolly winter coat for their dog and helping less fortunate dogs at the same time?"

K9Knitters Facts

- K9 Rescue Knitting Club was founded in early 2006 by Jill Danson and Carrie Warr - who didn't know each other from adam, other than via a rescue dog chat forum on the internet!

- we have raised over £7500 since October 2006. 100% of proceeds go to dog rescue charities - and all wool/other materials are donated by either our knitters or supporters.

- Our nominated rescues for 2008 are Dogs Trust and Ashbourne Animal Welfare in Derbyshire. Dogs Trust benefit every year; we rotate the 'smaller' charity every January. Previous charities who benefitted were The Oldies Club and Many Tears (in Wales).

- Over 500 coats have been sold via the website

- Over 1000 coats have been donated direct to rescues for their residents and/or their fundraising

- Over 700 knitters are registered with us

- Most popular designs are: Dennis the Menace; Dogasaurus

- One lady once bought a coat for her cat

- Our most northerly customers are in Orkney

- Our most southerly customers are in Cyprus

- Our furthest afield customers are in Maryland , USA . (We've also offered a couple of coats to the White House dogs in Washington - Barney and Miss Beazley. But we're waiting to hear back from them!)

- Our best dressed customer is Brummie the Yorkshire Terrier in London who has 10 k9knitters coats

- We've made coats for a couple of 3-legged dogs

- One of the rescue centres to whom we sent a batch of coats used one to help keep a newly orphaned lamb warm!

- We once had a donation of 2500 pairs of knitting needles! (I know - I counted them all!)

- We always welcome donations of wool - which will be put to very good use.



So if your pooch is shivering and you're looking for a good way to keep him (or a cat or a lamb, apparently!) warm through the winter, you know which website to visit!